The John Lewis Partnership, Hampshire

MJ Abbott Limited successfully tendered and won the contract to construct a new campsite facility to complement the existing timber lodges holiday venue on The John Lewis Partnership's farm estate at Leckford, near Stockbridge in Hampshire.

The existing site consisted of 12 no. timber holiday lodges which were used to full capacity. John Lewis wished to expand the site to offer further facilities to allow John Lewis Partners and their guests to turn up and camp, along with the opportunity for more glamorous “glamping” as well. John Lewis employed local architects Barclay+Phillips to design a new clubhouse and full camping facilities for caravans, motor homes, tents, euro-style camping and safari tents.

The existing site was an agricultural field used for grazing, so it was necessary to install a complete new infrastructure system to provide the necessary services for the new campsite.

The existing septic tank which served the timber lodges had been in use for many years, but was now showing signs of failure. MJ Abbott specified a new REWATEC 120 PE waste water sewage treatment plant to replace the existing septic tank and cope with the additional load, upgrading the system from a 40-person loading to a 120-person loading.

Working with the Environment Agency, a bespoke permit was obtained to allow the sewage treatment plant to be installed and a large soakaway system was also created measuring a huge 25m x 20m. A 500mm deep gravel raft was created with a perforated herringbone arrangement of soil pipes carefully laid out over the gravel raft. This was blinded with 20mm clean stone prior to backfilling.

The timber clubhouse, which was the prime meeting point for the site including reception, games rooms, showers and WC facilities, was constructed by timber building specialists Ascot Timber Buildings Ltd of Haslemere. MJ Abbott constructed the foundations, drainage and the beam and block floor prior to their attendance.

Rainwater from the clubhouse was collected and piped to specially constructed “crate systems” under SUDS (sustainable urban drainage systems) criteria using the Funke D-Raintank® system.

A 1,300m² area for vehicle access, turning and entrance to the campsite had to be excavated and created. This was marked out and the oversite was excavated, with all surplus spoils hauled off site to licensed tips. Aggregates were imported, placed and compacted, prior to being overlain with tarmac. Pedestrian and parking areas were identified with concrete kerbing and timber edging.

To create a new perimeter road around the campsite for vehicle access, the PRS Neoweb system was used. The Neoweb product is a cellular confinement system which pulls out to form a 150mm deep honeycomb which is in-filled with a Type 3 aggregate to create a solid road formation.

Each of the pitches had to be identified with an 8” chamfered edge oak post and also required an electricity supply, so a full electrical infrastructure was installed to each location.

Fire fighting facilities were installed to the site to 4 no. individual fire stations, consisting of concrete bases, fire hoses and alarm bell.

Drinking water facilities were required, and the existing water infrastructure to the site was not capable of providing the required flow rate. Working with Leckford Estate, a new 90mm HPPE water main was installed from the closest practical supply point over 400m away, and flushed and chlorinated on completion. Stand pipes were installed adjacent to the fire stations for potable use.

The existing electrical supply to the whole estate was by overhead lines immediately across the proposed site, so working with local supply company Scottish & Southern Energy, the overhead cables were dropped and buried around the perimeter of the site.

New LPG tanks were installed on new concrete bases to serve both the existing and proposed sites.

To serve the caravans and motor homes, a new chemical waste station was installed which consisted of a spill and decant area which drains to a special coated septic tank for collecting and hauling off site by a licensed contractor.

A grey water discharge facility was installed to collect the grey water from the site from the caravans and motor homes, ensuring this was added to the new waste water facility.

New timber fences were erected with timber gates at the entrance to finish and secure the site.

The whole area was carefully cultivated to create a lush green campsite, removing tonnes of Hampshire flint prior to seeding.

www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/about/waitrose/leckford-estate.html