Catterick MoD Army Barracks

Client: MoD
Type of works: supply and installation of Aquaflow paving and SUDS solution.

As part of the MoD’s project SLAM (Single Living Accommodation Modernisation), the Catterick Garrison barracks benefited from a £330million investment programme to develop the facilities. The project includes a total of 2,800 bedrooms. A physiotherapy centre, dining facilities, sport and leisure centre and swimming pools, as well as redeveloping Catterick town centre, are additional phases of the project.

The installation of Hanson Formpave’s Aquaflow into the Brownfield, steep sloping site was a challenging prospect but Formpave’s 15 years of experience in the industry allowed the highly skilled design team to overcome these issues and deliver an effective and reliable solution. Several rigorous test areas had to be constructed in order to prove the Aquaflow system as a reliable and efficient SUDS solution. Formpave demonstrated the system and left the installed permeable paving test areas in place for 3 months to undergo typical wear and tear and trafficking. The paving structure was then lifted and the sub-base checked for performance and silting. Formpave also designed a bespoke sub-base for the site.

On such an extensive site, the car-parking areas were an essential part of the redevelopment process. The Aquaflow system has been installed on site in excess of 12 months and the performance is pleasing. During heavy rainfall the water is drained away immediately and there is no surface water or puddles.

Formpave’s 80mm paver was used throughout the car parking areas. The whole area requires minimal maintenance with sweeping of the surface a couple of times a year. The Aquaflow SUDS system works by allowing rain to infiltrate through a permeable concrete block paved surface into a unique stone sub-base where it is cleaned, by filtration and microbial action, before being released in a controlled manner into sewers or water courses. This rainwater can also be harvested for reuse when infiltrated directly into the sub-grade before the clean water is pumped back out for secondary uses including flushing toilets and watering gardens.