Feasibility study
A TTS Feasibility Study provides the information required to make robust funding applications. As each site has specific factors that will influence design solutions and project parameters, a comprehensive feasibility study and its findings are essential in enabling you to make informed decisions and put forward a well-organised bid for funding.
Schedule of services for a feasibility report on playing field and natural turf pitch improvement schemes
The following is a summary of the Schedule of Services to be provided by Total Turf Solutions Ltd when employed on a playing field or natural turf improvement Feasibility Study. The feasibility phase of the project may include the following:
- In consultation with the Client, identify the appropriate Performance Quality Standards (PQS) for the site with reference to the range and level of the sports to be played.
- Undertake a topographic (levels) survey (Optional*) of the site to establish gradients and surface level uniformity to assist with the design of earthworks and drainage.
- Undertake a geophysical survey (Optional*) (e.g. Electro-Magnetic Inductance Scans) to assist in establishing soil variability beneath the site and to target detail,ed investigations.
- Determine hydrological characteristics for the catchment including the standard-period average annual rainfall (to inform future drainage design), proximity to watercourses, potential for runoff and whether the site lies within an indicative flood plain or groundwater source protection zone. This information can be used to establish whether there is scope to undertake site-remodelling works without affecting the volume or dynamics of a flood plain, and whether the construction of a deep-bored soak-away for the discharge of surface water is likely to be permitted should a more convenient method of outfall not be available.
- Determine the likely underlying geology from geological maps and/or soil survey records.
- Identify site factors that may require further surveys or investigative work (e.g. site history, previous use, tree protection, ecology, archaeology, conservation Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), utility services, contaminated land and land drainage consent).
Conduct a physical site survey to confirm the following:
- Site location and access including any restrictions to construction traffic and contact details for site access arrangements.
- Current land use.
- Existing site layout including the orientation and dimensions of pitches to ascertain whether they comply with Sport England recommendations.
- Excavation of test pits to characterise the underlying soil profile in terms of soil type (using Pipette Method), nutrient status, salinity, organic matter content, compactive state, rooting depth, depth to shallow rock and drainage status (including depth to groundwater if encountered). This should also include additional pertinent information such as stone content, suitability of the underlying material for site remodelling and the presence of material that could potentially be contaminated.
- Determine whether there is evidence of the presence of existing drainage infrastructure and, if so, scope for utilising this within the proposed remediation works.
- Conduct an agronomic and PQS assessment to include grass height, ground cover, presence of weeds, thatch depth, rate of water infiltration through the surface, surface evenness, site gradient, hardness and pH.
- Assess irrigation requirements (if any).
- Assess floodlighting requirements (if any).
- Assess machinery/equipment requirements (if any).
- Establish the current and proposed level of site usage.
- Establish whether planning consent is required or whether certain planning conditions need to be discharged.
- Establish whether a Flood Risk Assessment is required.
- Summarise of the principal factors affecting the condition of the natural turf sports facility.
- Propose development options and cost.
- Propose an appropriate maintenance programme with budget costs.
- Provide an indicative work programme for the possible phasing and duration of the proposed construction works. This should also indicate when the sports facilities might be available for use.
- Summarise implications of the proposed works on future maintenance, longevity and usage.
* These services will incur additional costs.
Sport England Framework Provider - 'Consultancy services for Natural Grass Pitches'