Groundworks Fareham

Fareham’s geology is characterised by heavy London Clay with pockets of river terrace gravels, creating variable ground conditions that change across relatively short distances. The clay soils prevalent across much of the borough are prone to seasonal shrinkage and swelling, which directly influences foundation depth requirements. Building Control in Fareham typically requires foundations to reach depths of 1 metre or more on clay sites, and where trees are present nearby, depths of 1.5 metres to 2.5 metres are common.

The borough’s coastal proximity to Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent introduces additional groundwater considerations, particularly for sites in southern Fareham, Stubbington, and Hill Head. The water table can be surprisingly high in these areas, and effective drainage design must account for tidal influence on groundwater levels. We routinely install pumping and dewatering systems to manage water ingress during excavation.

Fareham has seen significant residential development over recent decades, with new estates continuing to be built across Welborne, Portchester, and the town centre area. These development sites often involve complex infrastructure requirements including estate roads, drainage networks, attenuation ponds, and utility services — all within our core expertise.

On older residential plots, particularly in central Fareham and Portchester, constrained access and proximity to existing structures are common challenges. Our fleet includes compact excavators and narrow-track machines that can operate in tight spaces, and our operatives are experienced in managing groundworks adjacent to occupied properties with minimal disruption.