Atlantic Park Phase 1: Delivering Key Environmental Infrastructure

This phased redevelopment project is set to deliver seven high-specification warehouses to support the industrial and logistics sector. Once operational, Atlantic Park Phase 1 aims to create 1,110 jobs, driving economic growth in the region. 

Situated on a 52-hectare site in Bootle, Liverpool, the development sits on the former Rolls Royce Engineering Works, currently owned by Royal Asset Management. The site remains largely vacant following a stalled previous redevelopment, necessitating the demolition of some existing structures. 

Curtins have been involved in this exciting scheme via our civil, structural, environmental and geotechnical engineering teams. This summary highlights the extensive environmental works undertaken by our Liverpool and Manchester teams, including: 

• Phase 1 preliminary risk assessment 

• Phase 2 main ground investigation 

• Supplementary investigations, including vapour investigation, third party specialist utility investigation and radiological investigation 

• EA correspondence (cost recovered advice) 

• Groundwater detailed quantitative risk assessment (RTM) 

• Remediation options appraisal, including third party specialist sustainability assessment 

• Groundwater remediation works, including drilling, supervision of injection works, verification 

Across our comprehensive groundwater assessment, we detected chlorinated hydrocarbon contamination in groundwater within principal aquifer of upper sandstone deposits, and Trichloroethene (TCE) which was used as degreasing agents.

The  groundwater contour plots also showed groundwater flow to northeast, with evidence of reductive dechlorination processes. Through extensive liaison with EA, specialist remediation contractor and third-party sustainability consultant, we proposed two remediation options that considered the sustainability, logistical, economical and technical challenges of reducing contaminant mass.  

A combined treatment approach option was successfully agreed with EA, with planning consents achieved inline with the programme.  

Curtins managed the drilling works, supervised the priority project injection and will continue to carry out verification monitoring through 2026. Our teams faced some challenges while working on this project, such as managing commercial pressures to a tight programme (preconstruction and construction phases). 

We're pleased to report the successful implementation of a carefully considered remediation strategy, which allowed phase 1 of construction to proceed without delays or additional costs. The site is now free from contamination, and improvements to groundwater quality have already begun to deliver social, environmental, and economic benefits-boosting community wellbeing.  

As we reflect on our experience, several key lessons emerged. Among them, the value of comprehensive monitoring data proved invaluable, and early engagement with regulators - especially the Environment Agency when tackling groundwater issues - was essential. Perhaps most importantly, presenting complex technical information in accessible, non-technical formats greatly enhanced the client’s understanding and strengthened project collaboration. 

For more information on this project, you can see the case study here: Atlantic Park, Liverpool | Curtins