Lewis & Scott Retirement Living appointed us to provide civil engineering consultancy services for Salt Meadows, an inspiring retirement development on the edge of Tollesbury in Maldon, Essex.
The scheme was driven by a strong community focus: to deliver high-quality, affordable homes for local residents in a setting that enhances wellbeing and supports later-life living.
The site’s coastal location and existing infrastructure constraints meant the project required thoughtful engineering solutions from the outset.
The client’s ambition was to create an attractive, sustainable development while maintaining strict cost efficiency. We were selected for our ability to combine technical expertise with a practical, value-led approach.
Our role was to design robust civil engineering solutions that supported the commercial objectives, protected the site’s ecological features and ensured long-term resilience for future residents.
Although the site was well protected from coastal flood risk, drainage presented a significant challenge. An ecologically sensitive watercourse, also the outfall for surface water, required careful diversion and enhancement.
Shallow foul water sewers needed both diversion and upsizing, and site levels had to be raised to retain construction arisings and avoid the need for a pumped foul discharge. Our team developed a coordinated strategy that balanced environmental sensitivity with engineering practicality.
The introduction of a combined SuDS attenuation basin and permanent feature pond added both ecological value and a visual focal point for the development.
Salt Meadows now benefits from a resilient, efficient drainage system and a landscape that enhances the resident experience.
The client achieved a cost-effective solution without compromising quality or environmental stewardship.
Feedback from the project team highlighted Barker’s collaborative approach and ability to navigate complex constraints while keeping the scheme commercially aligned.
