Car Park Construction at Bellows Equestrian Ltd, West Sussex

In August 2024, SGS Surfacing successfully completed a durable and functional car park at Bellows Equestrian Ltd, Henfield, West Sussex.

Scope of Work:
SGS Surfacing was tasked with constructing a durable and functional car park at Bellows Equestrian Ltd, covering multiple areas and addressing specific drainage and surface requirements. The project involved excavation, grading, and the installation of robust layers of asphalt to ensure longevity and performance under equestrian and vehicular use.

Project Overview:
The project was divided into three main areas:

1. Car Park Area (280 m² Partial Dig Out):

• Excavated and graded the existing surface, removing one full mixed load of waste.
• Installed a vehicular-grade membrane to enhance stability.
• Laid 150 mm of 6F4 zero fines crushed concrete for foundational support.
• Applied a 50 mm layer of primary grade, Type 1 aggregate to complete the sub-base.
• Hand-laid 50 mm of well-compacted base course asphalt followed by 40 mm of well-compacted surface course asphalt to provide a smooth and durable finish.

2. Main Car Park Area (circa 3220 m²):

• Conducted a laser survey to identify and manage surface gradients for effective drainage.
• Installed 40 m of drainage at the lowest point, piping it into a nearby ditch.
• Graded the surface to ensure proper water flow into the drainage system.
• Machine-laid two 40 mm layers of base course asphalt, providing a textured surface suitable for equestrian use.

Area Around New Building (523 m² minus 80 m² for solar and block paving paths):

• Excavated the area to a depth of approximately 300 mm, removing all waste from the site.
• Installed a vehicular-grade membrane and compacted 6F4 reduced fines crushed concrete.Added 40 m of Acco-style drains, piping them into existing outlets and grading the surface for optimal drainage.
• Finished the sub-base using primary grade, Type 3 aggregate.
• Hand-laid 50 mm of well-compacted base course asphalt followed by 40 mm of well-compacted surface course asphalt.

Challenges and Solutions:
The primary challenge was managing the project under unpredictable weather conditions while ensuring precise grading and drainage. Our team addressed this by using advanced laser surveying techniques to identify and manage surface falls. The rougher finish of the base course asphalt was intentionally selected to suit the specific needs of an equestrian environment, providing both durability and slip resistance.

Careful scheduling and efficient waste removal allowed us to stay on track, while the installation of comprehensive drainage systems ensured effective water management across the entire site.

Contact SGS Surfacing For Your Next Project

The completion of the project SGS Surfacing’s dedication to quality and efficiency. For more information about our services or to discuss your next project get in touch to request your free quote below.