Hartpury College in the heart of Gloucestershire is fast becoming a recognised venue for international equestrian events. This successful bid has initiated another cycle of development at the College. The current outdoor arena is being extended and a new championship indoor arena, specifically designed for the needs of disabled riders is being constructed.

The new arena is being built close to surrounding slopes at the edge of the site. Therefore main contractor Yorke Ltd appointed Phi Group, the retaining structure specialist, to design, supply, and construct two retaining walls. One wall to retain the embankment adjacent to the building and the other, the slope, at the side of the access road, into the new arena.

Permacrib utilises the long established gravity wall concept. The crib components form a series of open cell modules which are filled with stone to create the mass required to counteract the earth pressures and surcharge loadings. Structural integrity is achieved through the interaction of the timber crib elements and the granular fill. The product carries a BBA certificate offering a 60-year Guarantee against insect and fungal attack.

The finished walls vary in height up to 6 metres high, and in total are over 120 metres long. Built at the standard angle of 14º they were both constructed in five weeks, completed on time.