The 4.7 ha site has been cut and filled to create level rugby and football pitches and a cricket practice facility.  Thousands of cubic metres of sub soil and top soil fill has been brought in from the Fosters Field Development site at Tinneys Lane in Sherborne to enable the site to be remodelled to provide level playing fields.  The work also turned out to be one of the largest turfing projects in Europe.

Work commenced in July 2003 and the pitches were completed and ready for use by the school in the Autumn term of 2004.

The project included a number of enabling works contracts: -

• Diversion of overhead electricity cables underground

• Translocation of 200 metres of ancient hedgerow - hedgeline moved to enable sight lines for a Pupil Crossing Facility

• Diversion of underground electricity cables to enable provision of Pupil Crossing Facility

• Arboricultural Works contract to enable electricity cable diversions, pupil crossing facility and hedgerow translocation.

The Pupil Crossing Facility was subject to a Safety Audit requiring Safety Measures to be implemented as part of the scheme, including implementation of a 30 mph speed limit, installation of advanced warning signs, road markings, staggered barriers and improved visibility along the lane through vegetation management.

The main contract included; major earthworks, land drainage, installation of sustainable drainage system, temporary water supply, 7,000 cubic metres of topsoil spreading, 3000 cubic metres of locally composted green waste, 5 hectares of turfing (taking 10 weeks to lay), planting, provision of Cricket Practice Facilities, 4 metre high ball stop fencing, installation of Rugby Posts.

The project was procured by Dorset County Council's Property Management Division.  The Design Team and Main Contractor were:-

Landscape Architect/Project Manager: Dorset County Council's Property Management Division

Quantity Surveyor: Dorset County Council's Property Management Division

Planning Supervisor: Boon Brown Partnership

Clerk of Works: Dorset County Council's Property Management Division

Main Contractor: Continental Landscapes