Residential Groundworks Delivery for 31-Plot Housing Development
Client: GP Thomas Construction
Location: Eastington, Gloucester Project: 31 Residential Dwellings
Scope: Full residential groundworks package
TN Groundworks & Civils were appointed to deliver all enabling works, earthworks, foundations, drainage, and infrastructure for a 31-plot residential development.
The project required careful coordination between groundworks and the wider build programme to ensure delivery remained on schedule despite regulatory and sequencing constraints.
Project challenge
When works commenced on site, the original programme was structured around completing roads and sewers at the early stage of the development.
However, Section 38 approval had not yet been granted, creating a risk of inactivity on site if the works followed the planned sequence.
This presented a key challenge: how to maintain momentum on site without waiting for infrastructure approvals.
Strategic delivery approach
Rather than allowing the programme to stall, TN Groundworks & Civils re-sequenced the works to prioritise enabling and earthworks activity.
The project was restructured to begin with a full reduced level dig across the site, immediately unlocking the ability to progress into foundation construction while approvals were still in progress.
This proactive approach ensured physical delivery could continue without interruption.
Earthworks & foundations delivery
Following the revised sequencing strategy, TN delivered all enabling works and foundations across the entire 31-plot development within 28 days.
This included full site preparation, excavation, and foundation installation across all plots.
At peak delivery, the programme achieved a consistent output equivalent to approximately one plot per day, maintaining continuous progress across the site.
By the completion of this phase, the project was already running approximately one month ahead of schedule.
Phased infrastructure delivery
Once Section 38 approval was granted, TN immediately transitioned into road and sewer installation works.
To maintain momentum and avoid downtime, the site was carefully phased to allow partial infrastructure completion while enabling early housebuilding activity.
A section of road was constructed early, allowing the client to begin building operations on completed plots while infrastructure works continued elsewhere on site.
Parallel build programme
This sequencing approach created a continuous flow of activity across the site.
As each stage of groundwork was completed, the housebuilder was able to immediately progress onto follow-on trades such as slab installation and timber frame erection.
This eliminated traditional delays between trades and allowed construction activity to progress in parallel across multiple plots.
The result was a highly efficient delivery model where groundwork completion and housebuilding operated simultaneously rather than sequentially.
Final outcome
The project was delivered ahead of programme through structured sequencing, with earthworks, foundations, and infrastructure works completed in a way that allowed uninterrupted build progression across all 31 plots.
The development was successfully completed, including Section 278 highway connection works.
The sequencing approach ensured continuous progress throughout, eliminating downtime between phases and enabling parallel delivery of groundworks and housebuilding activities from start to finish.
Key Achievements
- Full site reduced level dig completed
- Foundations delivered for 31 residential plots
- Earthworks and enabling works completed in 28 days
- Approx. one plot completed per day during peak delivery
- Project delivered approximately one month ahead of programme
- Phased infrastructure enabled parallel build activity
- Reduced downtime between groundworks and housebuilding phases
- Efficient sequencing created continuous site progression model