CLS transforms estate landscape at Yarm School

CLS Landscape and Earthworks commands more than 40 years experience in landscaping, running an in-house team of highly skilled professionals delivering a full package of services from design to construction.

The company has recently completed a number of largescale projects that include major elements of soft and hard landscaping.

At historic Yarm School, they undertook one of their largest schemes to date, a multi-million pound project that embraced the construction of a new purpose-built boathouse, a full-size sand-dressed synthetic hockey pitch and a carpark construction on what is an environmentally sensitive site.

Following a detailed public consultation and preparation of architectural models, consent was granted through delegated powers.

“A flexible and collaborative approach was essential for success,” said CLS Sports Contracts Director Stephen Miller, the third generation of the family to work within the sports and landscaping concern.

CLS Landscape and Earthworks renovated the car park, constructing a resin-bonded surface and installing a sustainable drainage system underneath. Extensive soft and hard landscaping included tree removal, major earthworks and strengthening, ready for installation of the synthetic pitch and plantings of deciduous and evergreen trees, with turf borders around the school entrance and car park areas.

The school enjoys a strong tradition of rowing but has expanded its field sports provision dramatically with the new synthetic pitch, which forms the foundation for 12 tennis courts throughout the summer.

The landscaping elements of the project were a key aspect of the upgrade, improving access for vehicles and pedestrians across the school, which runs nursery, pre-prep, preparatory, junior and senior departments.

Public access is also important because Yarm runs a 750-seat auditorium, which stages numerous activities and events.

“The project presented a huge challenge as it was logistically highly complex,” said Estates Manager Alan Hodgson, “and relied on close co-ordination with CLS Sports, which we appointed due to their wealth of experience and expertise in the sports construction and landscaping sector and their success with several other projects here.”

Yarm School is no stranger to self-financing projects, having ploughed no less than £25m into developments on site over the last five years. The Government recently invited headmaster David Dunn to speak to the House of Lords on how to thrive in a recession.

 

A division of Cleveland Land Services, established in 1968, CLS Landscape and Earthworks supplies services that include:

  • Hard landscaping: including paving, resin bound surfacing and tarmac surfacing;
  • Soft Landscaping: planting, turfing, seeding, groundworks and earthworks;
  • Civil engineering: foundation works, wall construction;
  • Play area constructions: synthetic and safety surfacing;
  • Floodlighting, streetlighting and street furniture installation;
  • Land drainage and irrigation, lake and pond constructions;

Projects range from historic park restorations and Heritage Lottery schemes to city centre regeneration and environmental improvement projects for clients that include contractors, local authorities, schools, colleges and universities and private clients. CLS is also a Sport England Framework Partner for the design and construction of artificial sports surfaces.

www.cls-sports.co.uk

www.cls-le.co.uk