SDS supports flagship retail development with vital flood prevention infrastructure.

Overview
The Cotswolds Designer Outlet is a landmark retail and leisure destination located off Junction 9 of the M5 motorway near Tewkesbury. Developed by Robert Hitchins Ltd and constructed by Bouygues UK, the first phase of the outlet delivers 136,000 sq ft of premium retail space and food and beverage facilities for 56 leading brands. Designed to attract up to four million visitors per year, the development enhances the local economy while providing a retail and leisure experience not previously available in the region. The wider scheme also includes plans for 1,500 new homes, a 74,000 sq ft Dobbies Garden Centre, business parks, and travel-friendly amenities, creating a dynamic destination for both locals and tourists.

As part of the project’s sustainable drainage strategy, SDS was appointed to design and install a robust below-ground attenuation system to manage stormwater runoff from the extensive retail and car park areas. The system was required to ensure the outlet operates flood risk-free, protect surrounding watercourses, and comply with planning requirements.

What SDS Did
SDS supplied and installed a GEOlight® attenuation tank beneath the new Cotswolds Designer Outlet development. Working closely with Bouygues UK, we delivered a fully integrated below-ground storage solution to manage stormwater runoff from the extensive new retail buildings, car parks and paved areas.

Our team coordinated installation to align with the construction programme, ensuring the tank was delivered safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption across a busy, multi-phase site. The modular GEOlight® system enabled rapid assembly in a constrained footprint, providing the required storage capacity without reducing valuable retail or public space at surface level.

The completed system forms a central component of the outlet’s sustainable drainage strategy, helping the development remain flood-resilient and compliant with planning requirements from day one of operation.

Results
The SDS GEOlight® attenuation system now delivers reliable, long-term storage and attenuation of stormwater across the Cotswolds Designer Outlet. By maintaining discharge rates at pre-development levels, the system protects the development and surrounding watercourses from flooding and pollution. Its installation ensures the outlet can operate safely and sustainably, providing a positive experience for visitors while supporting the wider community and regional economy.

The successful delivery highlights SDS’s expertise in providing innovative, high-performance drainage solutions for complex commercial developments, combining resilience, sustainability, and operational reliability in a single integrated system.

Testimonial
Partnering with SDS gave us the confidence that our new outlet centre would not only deliver a first-class retail experience but also meet the highest standards of sustainability. Their GEOlight® system provided the assurance we needed that the site would remain protected from flooding, allowing us to focus on creating a destination that benefits both visitors and the wider community.

– Ben Bowyer, Managing Surveyor, Bouygues UK

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