JOB: LEICESTER CITY FC’S TRAINING GROUND
CLIENT: Leicester City Football Club
CONTRACTOR: McLaren Construction Group PLC
DEVELOPMENT COST: ~£100M
SERVICES PROVIDED: Ground Investigation, Geotechnical and Environmental Assessment
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
Leicester City Football Club were looking to replace their long‑standing facility at Belvoir Drive with a modern, state‑of‑the‑art centre off the A46 near Seagrave, approximately 8–11 miles north of Leicester.
The proposals were to transform the 185-acre former Park Hill Golf and Fishing Centre within the Charnwood Borough Council area. The facilities built by McLaren Construction included:
- Seven buildings
- A 499-seater covered “show pitch”
- 21 playing surfaces – including 14 full-size pitches
- Elite-standard sport science and medical facilities
- Gym and hydrotherapy areas
- Accommodation for players and staff
- A dedicated Sports Turf Academy
- 421 car parking spaces and coach bays
- Energy centre, water treatment and irrigation system
- 17 wildlife/attenuation ponds
GROUND INVESTIGATION:
As part of the enabling works, Sub Surface Midlands was commissioned to undertake comprehensive ground investigation services for this landmark development, now recognised as one of the most advanced training centres in Europe.
Our team carried out a full geotechnical and environmental ground investigation across the 185-acre site. Key elements of the investigation included:
- 17 No. cable percussive boreholes to determine soil strata at depth and groundwater conditions
- 18 No. window sampling boreholes to assess the shallow ground conditions
- Machine-excavated trial pits for shallow profiling and contamination analysis
- CBR Testing for road, car park and hardstanding design
- BRE 365 Soakaway Tests to assess the feasibility of infiltration drainage.
- Installation of groundwater and gas monitoring wells
- Earthworks Testing suite to determine the suitability for cut and fill exercises
- Laboratory testing including geotechnical and contamination analysis
- Production of a full Interpretative Report
All works were undertaken in accordance with CDM Regulations and strict health & safety protocols
RESULTS AND VALUE:
The data and analysis provided by Sub Surface included:
- Foundation assessments for each key structure, including the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Building, show pitch, sports hall, and accommodation block to enable safe and economical design.
- Material re-use assessment and earthworks specification, supporting extensive cut and fill exercises while meeting sustainability goals through reuse of soils.
- CBR Values for the design of internal road, car park, and hardstanding designs.
- Soil Infiltration Rates in accordance with BRE Digest 365 for use in the Surface Water Drainage Strategy.
- Contamination risk assessment, in accordance with the Environment Agency’s Land Contamination Risk Management guidance and BS10175, confirming suitability for use in a sports environment.
- Ground gas risk assessment, in accordance with BS 8576, and BS 8485 to evaluate and mitigate the risk of ground gases.
Our high-quality reporting helped de-risk the construction programme and ensured compliance with planning conditions imposed by Charnwood Borough Council.
OUTCOME:
The training ground has since earned praise as one of the most advanced in Europe, and now hosts Leicester City’s first team and academy operations. Five months after moving into the new training centre, Leicester City won the Premier League. Sub Surface are proud to have played a key role in its foundation, both literally and figuratively.
WHY CHOOSE SUB SURFACE ON YOUR NEXT PROJECT
With extensive experience across sports and commercial sectors, Sub Surface were trusted to deliver technically high quality, robust, and safe ground investigation services on this flagship project.
Our commitment to Building Better from the Ground Up ensures that our Clients always receive ground investigation services of the highest standard.
