Ashton Walk, Woolston

Giving the old Woolston school site a new lease of life

In September 2017 we began work on a new development in our native Hampshire, a £1 million groundworks infrastructure deal to create 50 new residential units on a disused school site in Woolston. A contract we were awarded by regional property developer Hampshire Homes.

Before groundworks could get underway the site first had to be cleared of the existing school building, which still occupied its grounds. Once the safe and controlled demolition had taken place our Mackoy gangs were able to move in to start phase one of the earthworks. Getting the site entirely cleared of any remaining debris, removing top soil layers, and putting the final preparations in place for foundation setting out to start.

Establishing Ashton Walk's new 3 and 4 bedroom homes

Unlike some of the large-scale sites our groundworks operatives have helped bring to fruition, the Woolston plot occupied a triangular shaped area on a busy main road junction. Bordered by established residential housing on all three sides. So the plans called for exact precision when it came to the position of the units on the plot, as well as the access roads, gardens and parking our Mackoy team were brought in to develop.

Each home's foundation had to be meticulously crosschecked during the setting out stage, ensuring the full 50 plots were in their agreed location according to local authority's approval of the site plans. We used chalk marking along with corner pegging at each stage of this vital process. Beginning excavations only when the footprint had been fully approved. A process we replicated in our work to create the essential sewer infrastructure, required to take waste water away from each new home, in line with environmental regulations.  

Contributing to Woolston's regeneration

Woolston in Southampton borders the River Itchen and the borough once was home to the city's most thriving boat builder, Vosper Thornycroft, who based their business in Woolston for 500 years. The company's relocation to Portsmouth in 2003 however left the area with substantial disused land and contributed to its decline. But in recent years homebuilders like Hampshire Homes have substantially rejuvenated the area with a wave of new developments including Ashton Walk boosting Woolston's local housing stock.

This new interest in the area has attracted fresh waves of businesses back into Woolston, including fashionable bars and restaurants, all of which Ashton Walk residents can access within minutes. While Southampton's iconic Itchen toll Bridge connects this part of the city to its main centre and railway station, just a quick car journey across the water.