Hillthorn Business Park

Rolton Group are providing civil, structural, MEP building services and energy services for the development, which is expected to generate 1,600 jobs for the local community and boost Sunderland’s economy.

The business park will feature a combination of industrial and commercial spaces comprising industrial, storage and distribution businesses, supporting the city’s economic growth. Rolton Group will be providing industrial warehouse spaces delivered to a shell level and commercial office space which will be delivered to a Category A level of fit out.

The civil team carried out the detailed design for the on-site foul and surface water drainage to connect in to the already constructed infrastructure to the site including significant storage to reduce the flow from site to the pre-development greenfield rate. The team also created a detailed design of the external pavement including levels. Due to the existing site constraints, a detailed cut and fill analysis was undertaken to determine the finished floor levels whilst minimising the export of material off site.

Structurally, the team carried out the design of the steel frames and associated ground floor slabs and foundations for the new commercial units. Due to the variable nature of the ground, CMC (controlled modulus columns) were utilised for the foundation and floorslab to mitigate the need for piling, saving money for the client.

Rolton Group’s MEP team are responsible for all building services designs for the base build units up to RIBA Stage 3, to determine the performance specification for the units which will enable the contractor to complete construction to optimal quality and functionality for the client’s budget.

The in-house energy team carried out an initial feasibility study into the incorporation of solar PV and battery energy storage to the development. The assessment focused on achieving operationally “Net Zero” units, by offsetting carbon emissions related to energy consumption, while maintaining financial viability.

Now that construction has commenced on-site, the ambition is that the new business park units will be fully built out by 2023.