MARPLE COMMUNITY HUB, STOCKPORT

Lightweight Backfill Solution for Swimming Pool Construction

Leca® Lightweight Aggregate (LWA) was specified and pneumatically delivered as part of the groundworks for Phase 2 of the Marple Community Hub project in Stockport. The material was used as a lightweight backfill around the pool walls of the newly constructed five-lane swimming pool, providing an efficient and practical solution for the structural and logistical challenges on site.

In total, over 550 m³ of Leca® LWA was installed, with the material delivered and placed within a matter of hours using pneumatic installation.

The £20 million Marple Community Hub is being delivered for Stockport Council and will create a modern, multi-use community facility within Marple Memorial Park.

Funded in part through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and Sport England, the project aims to provide an accessible hub for leisure, health and community services while supporting healthier lifestyles and strengthening the local economy.

The project is being delivered under a JCT 2016 Design & Build contract and is scheduled for completion in Autumn 2026.

FACTS

Amount of material: 550m3 of LECA LWA (10-20mm)

Interesting Fact: Over 550 m³ of Leca® LWA was installed, with the material delivered and placed within a matter of hours using pneumatic installation.

Delivery Method: Pneumatic Delivery

Main Contractor: R & M Development

Developers: Wilmott Dixon

Project Overview

Engineering Challenge

The swimming pool structure required carefully controlled backfill around the reinforced concrete pool walls. Traditional granular fill would have introduced higher dead loads and more complex installation logistics, particularly given the restricted site access.

Access to the work area was limited, making the movement and placement of conventional fill materials difficult and labour intensive. The project team therefore required a solution that could:

•    Reduce loading around the pool structure
•    Be installed quickly within a constrained site
•    Minimise the number of operatives required
•    Avoid extensive plant movements
•    Lightweight Engineering Solution

Leca® LWA was selected as the engineered lightweight backfill due to its low density, free-draining properties and ease of installation.

The material was pneumatically delivered through hoses with a reach of up to 50 metres, allowing the aggregate to be placed directly into position without the need for extensive plant access around the structure.

This installation method provided several key advantages:

•    Reduced dead load acting on the pool walls and surrounding structures
•    Rapid installation, with more than 550 m³ placed within hours
•    Improved access, enabling delivery to otherwise difficult-to-reach areas

The pneumatic delivery process significantly improved installation efficiency while helping the contractor maintain programme certainty during the groundworks phase.

Community Impact

The Marple Community Hub represents a major investment in local infrastructure and community wellbeing.
Councillor Mark Roberts, Deputy Leader of Stockport Council, described the project as:

"A major milestone for Marple, driven by local voices and delivered in partnership to meet the needs of residents now and for the future."

Similarly, Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, highlighted the wider impact of the scheme:

"The hub will bring health, leisure and community services together under one roof, delivering real benefits for people of all ages."

Sport England has also supported the project, recognising it as an example of place-based investment that helps communities access sport, leisure and health services within a single location.

Project Outcome

By combining lightweight engineered fill with pneumatic installation, the project team was able to overcome significant access constraints while maintaining structural performance around the swimming pool structure.

The Marple Community Hub will open in 2026, providing modern leisure, health and community facilities that support both local wellbeing and long-term community development.