PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
In 2018, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) selected a Kier/VolkerFitzpatrick joint venture to deliver new facilities at RAF Lakenheath, the first permanent European base for US F‑35 Lightning squadrons. The project included a flight simulator facility, maintenance unit, hangars, and storage buildings.
To minimise disruption within the operational base, Kier/VolkerFitzpatrick proposed a temporary works compound and car park on adjacent agricultural land within the Breckland Special Protected Area (SPA) – a location of high ecological value due to the presence of Stone Curlews, a protected species.
Create was appointed to provide multidisciplinary technical services to support the planning application for the compound and car park, and to discharge sensitive pre‑commencement conditions. We developed mitigation strategies that balanced ecological concerns, including the risk of bird strikes to military aircraft, with the need to deliver the infrastructure programme on time.
WHAT WE DID:
PLANNING
- Transport Assessment
Assessed vehicle movements and site access strategy, providing evidence of manageable impact on local highway networks.
- Access Design
Produced designs for access points and internal circulation that minimised disruption to surrounding land and sensitive habitats.
- Air Quality Assessment
Evaluated construction and operational air quality impacts to ensure compliance with planning and environmental health standards.
- Traffic Flow Diagrams & Signal Modelling
Produced clear traffic flow diagrams and modelled impacts on existing traffic signals to inform mitigation and avoid congestion.
- Ecological Noise Impact Assessment
Assessed potential noise impacts on nearby Stone Curlew nesting grounds, identifying risks both to protected bird populations and to aircraft safety.
- Noise Monitoring & Analysis
Monitored on‑site noise levels during aircraft manoeuvres and construction activities, using Norsonic equipment and NorReview software for detailed post‑processing.
- Noise Mitigation Design
Recommended practical mitigation measures, including construction of an earth bund, behavioural protocols, and operational guidance to minimise disturbance and reduce sound levels.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS / BENEFITS
- Ecological & Operational Protection
Delivered a noise mitigation strategy that protected Stone Curlew nesting grounds while also reducing the risk of bird strikes to military aircraft.
- Planning Consent Secured
Provided a robust, technically supported planning application and discharged pre‑commencement conditions, enabling timely construction of the compound and car park.
- On‑Time Project Delivery
Ensured the temporary facilities were delivered on schedule to support the critical F‑35 infrastructure programme.