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 complex geotechnical and construction challenges. The land fell sharply from the rear to the front, making traditional building methods inefficient and limiting the usable development area. To enable construction, a robust earth retention solution was required to create stable, level terraces for housing and infrastructure.
The project was further constrained by its location within a designated green belt zone, where strict planning regulations applied. Retaining wall solutions needed to meet high structural performance standards while also achieving strong visual integration with the surrounding environment. Factors such as wall finish, colour, and texture were critical to gaining planning approval, creating the need for a solution that combined engineering reliability with architectural flexibility.
Solution
Maccaferri’s MacWall® modular block reinforced soil system was selected as the ideal retaining wall solution for this challenging sloped site. Two primary retaining walls, each up to 6.0 metres high, were constructed using the system, providing both structural stability and design versatility.
The MacWall system enabled near-vertical construction at an angle of 86°, maximising the developable land area on the constrained site. This was a key advantage for the residential scheme, allowing efficient land use without compromising safety or performance.
To meet green belt planning requirements, the retaining wall blocks were supplied in “Canelleto,” a natural, warm-toned finish that complemented the surrounding landscape. This ensured the retaining walls blended seamlessly into the environment while maintaining a high-quality visual appearance.
From a design perspective, the modular retaining wall system provided exceptional flexibility. It accommodated complex features such as tight 90° corners, curved wall alignments, and integrated staircases, all within a single engineered solution. This reduced construction complexity and avoided the additional costs typically associated with traditional retaining wall methods.
Maccaferri delivered a fully engineered retaining wall solution, including detailed design by its specialist engineering team. The design was backed by Professional Indemnity insurance, providing assurance of compliance with structural and regulatory standards. In addition, all construction materials were supplied by Maccaferri, ensuring seamless coordination, consistent quality, and efficient project delivery.
Used Products
