Dover Western Docks Revival

Cambridge Road, Dover

Client: Dover Harbour Board

Service provided: LQE Technical Assessment

Key Facts

The site is approximately 1 hectare and will potentially include a new waterside residential and commercial development.

Our Involvement

The Technical Assessment was undertaken to assess the stability of the proposed construction to meet NHBC standards. A number of key areas that NHBC would need to be satisfied in order to meet the requirements of the NHBC Standards and facilitate the provision of Buildmark warranty cover on potential new residential structures were identified.

Site Details

A new sea wall, the ‘Marina Curve’, will enable the creation of a new marina area with adjacent waterside for potential residential and commercial developments. Over 650m in length, the 'Marina Curve' wall comprises a combination of substantial cantilevered and anchored steel tubes and sheet piles driven up to approximately 18m below seabed level. Dredging of the marine silts in front of and behind the 'Marina Curve' wall was undertaken, followed by the placement of selected engineered fills to a height of approximately 13m to create the reclaimed development area.

Environmental Conditions

The environmental risks are limited, although there was potential for heavy metal and hydrocarbon contamination of the silt.

Geotechnical Conditions

The primary geotechnical condition identified was the potential short and long term settlements that may occur within the newly engineered fills behind the new sea wall. The selection of an appropriate specification for the fill materials with adequate testing and verification was essential to mitigate unacceptable settlements.

Additionally, the proximity of the marine environment into which the piles have to been installed could create a challenging engineering environment for any building substructures which would need to be designed accordingly.