2025
Huddersfield
Newett Homes
Alpha Site Services and Williams Walling
N/A
The Heath, Fenay Bridge
Challenge
A residential development project was proposed on a narrow, steeply sloping site, presenting significant geotechnical and design complexities. The site fell away sharply from back to front, making conventional construction approaches inefficient and impractical. To unlock the full development potential of the land, extensive earth retention was necessary to create level terraces suitable for housing and essential infrastructure.
Compounding the challenge, the site was located within a green belt zone, subject to strict planning constraints. Retaining structures had to meet not only stringent technical performance standards but also satisfy planning authorities on visual integration, including the colour, texture, and finish of exposed surfaces. This created a dual requirement: a high-performance engineered solution that also demonstrated visual sensitivity and design flexibility.
Solution
To address these challenges, Maccaferri’s MacWall® modular block reinforced soil system was selected to construct the two primary retaining walls, which reached heights of up to 6.0 metres. The choice of MacWall was driven by its engineered performance, aesthetic versatility, and ability to optimise land use. Its near-vertical installation angle of 86° from horizontal allowed maximum buildable area on the constrained footprint, an essential advantage on a narrow site.
Aesthetically, MacWall delivered on the project’s planning obligations. The blocks were supplied in “Canelleto”, a warm, natural tone selected to complement the green belt surroundings and satisfy local authority requirements. This enabled the design team to present a solution that blended seamlessly into the landscape while maintaining the structural integrity demanded by the terrain.
From a technical standpoint, MacWall demonstrated its hallmark flexibility. The system accommodated tight 90° corners, smooth curves, and integrated staircases, all within the modular framework, features that traditional retaining structures struggle to incorporate without additional complexity or cost.
Crucially, Maccaferri didn’t just supply a product; it delivered a fully supported engineered solution. The MacWall retaining walls were designed by Maccaferri’s specialist engineering team, with design liability covered under Professional Indemnity insurance. This provided peace of mind to the client and ensured full compliance with regulatory and structural requirements. All construction materials for the walls were also supplied by Maccaferri, ensuring seamless coordination between design and delivery.
Used Products
