Background

The UK faces a significant housing shortage, with an estimated three million new homes required by 2030. As the availability of greenfield land decreases, increasing emphasis is being placed on the redevelopment of brownfield sites, often former industrial locations that can be regenerated to reduce urban sprawl and improve local environments.

One such site is the former Fairfield Mabey Works in Chepstow. The site has a long industrial heritage, having operated as part of the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company from 1924 to 1965, and later as Fairfield Mabey Ltd between 1965 and 2009.

The redevelopment will deliver 345 new homes, alongside a riverside park, leisure facilities, offices and a new link to the Wales Coast Path, while respecting the site’s shipbuilding heritage.

The challenge

The new housing development is located adjacent to the river, creating a clear requirement for effective flood protection to safeguard homes and public spaces.

Key challenges included:

  • Providing robust flood defence in a riverside location
  • Maximising developable land on a constrained brownfield site
  • Delivering a solution sympathetic to the historic and natural setting
  • Ensuring long term durability with low maintenance requirement

A flood protection solution was required that could balance engineering performance, visual quality and efficient land use.

The solution

Marshalls supplied the Redi Rock™ modular retaining wall system to provide engineered flood protection for the development.

Redrow Homes selected Redi Rock™ due to its proven performance across multiple residential schemes, and its ability to deliver several key advantages:

  • Effective flood protection using large interlocking concrete blocks
  • A natural stone like appearance, well suited to a riverside setting
  • Efficient land use, allowing more developable area within the site
  • A 120 year design life, supporting whole life cost objectives
  • Minimal ongoing maintenance for homeowners and estate managers

The modular system enabled the flood defences to blend into the landscape while providing long term resilience for the development.

The outcome

The Fairfield Mabey Works regeneration scheme now benefits from integrated flood protection that supports both safety and placemaking.

  • Homes protected from river flooding
  • Improved usability and appearance of the riverside environment
  • Efficient use of land within a brownfield development
  • Long life, low maintenance flood defence solution

By combining flood resilience with an attractive landscaped finish, the Redi Rock™ solution ensures the development will remain secure and visually appealing not just in the short term, but over 5, 10, 50 and even 100 years.