“The Golpla® product matched our engineering criteria, and met the clients’ aesthetic expectations too – a perfect solution” – Rob Sperring, Willerby Landscapes.

Golpla® is the only SuDS compliant product available within the grass and gravel reinforcement market that is available in a Buff colour. Which made it the perfect solution for the Royal Hospital Chelsea as it enabled it to blend with their chosen gravel and be more discreet. Below is further information on how Golpla® was used to help deliver the project.

Home to the famous Chelsea Pensioners and the annual Flower Show, The Royal Hospital Chelsea is an iconic London landmark. Situated on a 66-acre site, the appearance of the Grade I and II listed building is vitally important. As part of this upkeep, it was decided that the gravel drive linking the East and West Road needed improvement.

Geosynthetics were first involved with this project in August 2016. Willerby Landscapes explained the key considerations to the project. With no storm drainage system to connect onto a SuDS solution that would provide high permeability was required. Percolation testing was done to determine the ground conditions, what was needed was a sub-base and surface to suit. In addition, their client wanted a product which closely matched in colour the existing golden gravel surface dressing used elsewhere on the project. The black and green grids promoted by other companies were ruled out as being too visible.

A technical recommendation for the build-up was requested which our in-house engineers were able to provide. This would work as a SuDS system and cope with the camber and cross fall onsite. The proposal and colour were agreed by the client in October and Willerby confirmed that they would be starting on site in January. A meeting was held at the site in January 2017 and Geosynthetics provided guidance on the best way to install the Golpla® units and the bedding layer.

Golpla® has a proven track record for gravel reinforcement and was therefore able to provide the necessary reinforcement for the maintenance vehicles at the Hospital. In addition to strength and durability its range of colours made it ideally suited to this project. Work was completed in March and the new road compliments the beautiful architectural legacy left to us by Charles II and Sir Christopher Wren ensuring that this lives on into the future.

To contact our sales team to discuss your project requirement and how Geosynthetics Ltd can assist you please call 01455 617139 or email [email protected].