Case Study: Mini Piling in a TPO Protection Zone

Chandos Lawn Tennis Club is a high-profile London venue with a reputation for excellence. When the club decided to expand its facilities with a new Padel Court, they faced a complex planning hurdle: the site was located directly within a Tree Protection Zone.

COMMERCIAL CASE STUDYTPO TREE PROTECTION PILING

Project: New Padel Court Installation
Location: Chandos Lawn Tennis Club, East End Road, London
Specialist Constraints: Tree Preservation Orders (TPO), No-Dig Zone, High-Profile Operational Site
Architect: Nicholas Brill (Brill & Owen)

The Challenge: Elite Sport Meets Environmental Protection

Chandos Lawn Tennis Club is a high-profile London venue with a reputation for excellence. When the club decided to expand its facilities with a new Padel Court, they faced a complex planning hurdle: the site was located directly within a Tree Protection Zone.

With several trees under Tree Preservation Orders (TPO), traditional excavation was impossible. The project required a "No-Dig" strategy that would support the structural loads of the Padel Court without damaging the delicate root systems of the surrounding protected trees.

The Strategy: The "Hand-Dug" Guarantee

Working in close collaboration with the project arboriculturist, Fallon Piling implemented a rigorous site-clearance strategy. To ensure zero damage to protected flora:

Manual Verification: Every single pile location was hand-dug to a depth of one meter.

Root Location: This process allowed us to identify any roots 25mm or larger.

Real-Time Adaptation: If a significant root was discovered, we worked with the arboriculturist and the design team to relocate the pile, ensuring the final foundation design was perfectly harmonized with the natural environment.

The Solution: Small Footprint, High Performance

To execute the piling without compacting the soil—which can be fatal to tree health—we deployed our specialised 1.5-ton "Kitten" rig.

This super-lightweight mini-piling rig is specifically designed for sensitive sites. Despite its small size, it possessed the drilling power to reach the necessary depths and provide the structural capacity required for the Padel Court’s steel and glass framework.

The Result: Business as Usual

Because Chandos is a busy club with high-profile members, maintaining a "business as usual" environment was non-negotiable. Fallon Piling managed the entire project within a strictly segregated zone, using high-security fencing and controlled entry/exit points to ensure the club remained fully operational and members were never disturbed.

Our long-standing partnership with Nicholas Brill of Brill & Owen Architects ensured a seamless transition from design to delivery. We provided a foundation that met the highest architectural standards while respecting the natural beauty of the club's grounds.