Pitch Perfect for Great Ballard

Buckinghamshire based sportsturf contractors Agripower Contractors has completed the construction of a synthetic training pitch at Great Ballard School in Chichester, West Sussex.

Agripower undertook a detailed consultation and planning process with the local planning authority, Chichester District Council at the independent preparatory school which is set in 30 acres of wonderful countryside on the South Downs between Arundel and Chichester. The school is notable for the fact that its main building, Eartham House, was designed by Sir Edwin

Lutyens, and the gardens by Gertrude Jekyll.

The process entailed detailed site surveys, design consultation with the whole planning process carried out in-house by Agripower using their latest GPS Leica surveying system and ground modeling software.

Agripower also used their Micro Drainage package to allow them to calculate all of the drainage flow rates and run off to comply with SUDS (sustainable urban drainage solutions).

The detailed design and planning process all had to take into account the importance of the vista of the main school building and grounds being grade two listed.

The project entailed the planning, design and construction of a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) 30m x 20m with a 1.2m high perimeter ball stop fencing which was chosen so as to limit the impact on the surrounding landscape.

The chosen surface was a 24mm multipurpose carpet and prefabricated rubber shockpad over a dynamic base to help minimize trafficking and ultimately reduce the impact on the surrounding environment

We would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Agripower to another School”, commented Terry Hockley, the school bursar. “Their professionalism from the initial enquiry though construction and their aftercare has been second to none”.

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