Vital Energi have awarded Aarsleff Ground Engineering the multidisciplinary foundations package at Saxton Gardens, on behalf of main client Leeds City Council. The foundation works form part of a wide-scale scheme to create the Leeds PIPES district heating network for the city that would see the heat created by the council’s Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility (RERF) in East Leeds being used to provide hot water and heating for households and businesses through a network of underground pipes.

Vital (www.vitalenergi.co.uk) were awarded the design and build contract, and subsequently awarded Aarsleff Ground Engineering the driven steel tube piling, mini bored piling, king post wall and drilling and grouting works required for the network’s back-up equipment at Saxton Gardens.

Specifically, Aarsleff will install 44No. driven steel tube piles, 16 No. mini bored piles to be installed inside a 4.5m Height restriction, 45lin/m of King Post Wall to a retained height of 1.5m, and the drilling of 60No holes to be drilled to 18m past the existing coal seam & filled with grout, the latter technique which has already commenced on site.

Overseeing the project start up, Aarsleff’s Chris Purvis said “We’re currently utilising our JS130 rig to drill 72No. vertical and inclined holes. Due to many areas of the site being close to the foundations of existing building walls and underground services, it has been necessary to work with extreme caution and assess all risks prior to drilling. Having assessed detailed site plans, made suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks posed by those hazards and co-operated with principle contractor Vital Energi, we have made sure any rules or agreed methods of working are strictly adhered to.”

Heralded as the next sustainable model for urban development, the scheme is expected to be completed by 2020. Should the scheme prove successful it could be expanded to other areas of the city.

Aarsleff’s Managing Director Kevin Hague said:

“Aarsleff Ground Engineering are delighted to be part of such a significant scheme that could provide low-cost and environmentally friendly heating and hot water to 1,983 homes in Leeds, saving over 22,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. Responsibility is one of Aarsleff’s core values, and this project really adds to our green credentials, plus it’s given us another platform to showcase our unique multidisciplinary offering for clients seeking a one stop shop solution”.