Sixfields Leisure and Retail Centre – Case Study

Large scale sustainable drainage project

Project: Sixfields Leisure and Retail Centre
Client: Northampton Borough Council
Product: Omega Flow
Size: 52,000²

The site at Sixfields lies on the outskirts of Northampton and had been derelict since the 1970s when it was used as a landfill site following previous use for gravel extraction. The site also included a sensitive nature reserve containing a unique habitat for wildlife.

The Sixfields development is part of the Northampton Brownfield Initiative – a mixed urban regeneration project containing new housing, a rugby club, football pitch and large car parks, as well as a nature reserve. Sitting on the bank of the River Nene, it was evident from the start that any design had to minimise any future risk of flooding if it was to be viable.

Brett Landscaping advised the client on the advantage of using a sustainable drainage system to minimise the risk of any future flooding on the site. The two main car parks, of 19,000m² and 16,000m² respectively, were both constructed using Omega Flow permeable paving. Additionally, 17,000m² of roadways linking the car parks were also constructed using Omega Flow.

The finished design allows surface water run-off to pass down into the sub-base providing attenuation before it is released at a constant rate through five outfalls into a brook.

One of the key advantages of permeable paving is that any hydrocarbons and other pollutants are captured in the sub-base where they are then broken down naturally within the need for catch pits and oil interceptors on the site thereby helping to reduce the overall project cost to the client – as well as maximise the available space for development.