Our success with developer led housing stems from our understanding of the processes, restrictions and priorities of developers, and the pressures they are under from their clients

SWJ Consulting has worked with residential housing developers for many years, adding value to projects with efficient foundation designs and working with information from proper investigations rather than worst-case assumptions. We now offer the same level of service and attention to detail with the infrastructure that supports them with our civil engineering team.

Roads, drainage, utilities, and access networks all play a vital role in ensuring a site is viable, deliverable, and most importantly, attractive to future residents. We will work with clients from the earliest stages of feasibility, planning, and through to detailed design and construction to ensure they have the most efficient solutions and are properly supported throughout the entire process.

We believe the best outcomes are achieved when engineering input is included from the outset. Our civil engineering team supports clients from initial feasibility studies and master planning through to detailed design and construction support, helping to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and ensure developments progress smoothly.

30% of the cost of any project is in the ground and foundation design has a significant impact on the commercial value of a residential scheme

Our collaborative approach to working closely with geotechnical and civil engineers enables us to provide and implement the best foundation solution for each project be it ground bearing strip footings, concrete pads, vibro-compaction, rafts or piling.

We are able to provide an economic principle of design where there are standard housing types and have detailed knowledge of the NHBC and Premier Guarantee Regulations.

Proven track record of adding value for clients

We have proven ourselves in saving clients time and money by providing economic and well-considered foundation solutions; in particular, our local knowledge of Oxfordshire has led us to challenge site investigations where we considered the findings contrary to our local knowledge and were proved correct.

It is our practical approach, combined with the virtual design technology we use, that enables us to deliver large projects efficiently and add value to the ground with the correct foundation solutions based on our investigations.

Feasibility Studies and Master Planning

At the earliest stage of the development, we will work closely with landowners, developers, and planners to assess whether a site is suitable for residential development. A comprehensive feasibility study will review the topography, access points, drainage requirements, flood risk, and existing utilities to identify constraints and opportunities. This high level of engineering input will support any land appraisals, and the client can then clearly see if the site is physically and financially feasible, at this early stage, informing any investment decisions.

Alongside the initial feasibility study, we will create a Master Plan to outline the overarching vision of the project and the construction strategy that includes all the phases of project. In residential developments an MP can improve the long-term well-being of a community and its individuals by incorporating amenities and green spaces, and promote sustainability by integrating environmentally friendly practices from the outset. All of which will be important for initial planning approval and may also attract investment.

Master Planning establishes the layout of roads, open spaces, utilities, and access to create a coherent framework for the development, and is especially valuable if there is a need to create a common vision for the project’s future. MPs plan for the complex relationships and dependencies of the various disciplines that will be involved in the project i.e., landscape architecture, construction, and environmental science. A Master Plan provides the high-level strategic framework that is vital for effective risk management and informing operational decisions, so that construction runs as efficiently as possible and the original objectives are achieved.

Outline planning to delivery

Once a site is identified as viable, the next stage in the process is to support outline planning applications. This where the attention to detail in the initial stage pays of as we will already have looked at the engineering issues of flood risk assessments, transport assessments, and utilities appraisals and Master Planning will have mapped out the infrastructure design with road layouts, drainage strategies, and service corridors.

Our civil engineers will prepare all the relevant technical reports required by local planning authorities to demonstrate that the site can be serviced appropriately.

• Detailed Planning & Design – Following the approval of outline planning we will prepare detailed designs to satisfy planning conditions and prepare the development for construction including elements such as:
• Highways design: Road layouts to adoptable standards, junction designs, and pedestrian/cycle connectivity.
• Drainage design: Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), surface water management, and foul water strategies.
• Utility coordination: Planning and coordinating the provision of electricity, water, telecoms and data/fibre optic networks, and gas.
• Technical reports: Detailed engineering drawings and calculations to support Reserved Matters applications, the finer details of the development, and discharge of planning conditions.

Construction Support & Delivery
With permissions and designs in place for the project, our civils team will continue to support clients during construction. Services include, but are not limited to, issuing detailed engineering plans for contractors, providing technical advice on-site, and liaising with contractors to resolve any unforeseen challenges.
We can also help with the adoption process, assisting with agreements for highways and drainage adoption with local authorities and statutory bodies. Our experience and knowledge of the project, as we have been involved in it from the start, can make a huge difference for clients struggling with the adoption process.