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Project
Lake District Luxury Residence
Duration
2024-2025
Project Contractor
Duerden Earthworks Ltd
Client
Reform Developments / Omaze UK
Value
£4.5m+
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Project Statistics

Scope of work

Full groundworks & civils package
Cut-and-fill earthworks and re-profiling
On-site rock crushing & material reuse
Foundations, drainage & service installations
Kingspan treatment plant & oil interceptor
Lake dredging, jetty base & bank stabilisation
Driveways, access roads & structural slabs
Hard landscaping, terraces, steps & external finishes

Completed Ahead of Programme

Delivered early, despite complex terrain.

100% Material Reused On Site

No spoil removed – fully sustainable earthworks

Full Groundworks & Civils Package

From first cut to final landscaping.

High-End, Low-Impact Build

Luxury finish with minimal environmental impact.

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Creating a Landmark Home in the Lakes

Tucked away in a secluded corner of the Lake District National Park, the Omaze x Reform Developments property started life as a raw, heavily vegetated greenfield site. Reform had a bold vision: a one-of-a-kind luxury home that felt rooted in the landscape, while also delivering a significant charitable contribution through the Omaze draw. To achieve it, they needed a groundworks and civil engineering partner who could handle complex levels, water, and access – without compromising the setting.

Duerden Earthworks were brought in at the earliest stage to shape the land and set the tone for everything that followed. From the first cut of the excavator bucket, our team were responsible for turning a steep, uneven site into a perfectly engineered platform for a multi-million-pound home, all while protecting the surrounding woodland, watercourses, and views that make this location so special.

Our Plan

Our approach was built around five clear phases: opening up the site, reshaping the ground, constructing the structure, delivering specialist water and environmental systems, and finally, crafting the high-end external finishes. Every phase was sequenced to keep the programme moving, minimise rework, and allow other trades to follow on smoothly.

We worked closely with Reform Developments to value-engineer key elements, making sure every pound spent on groundworks delivered visible quality, long-term performance, or both. By planning from the outset to reuse all materials on site, we eliminated export of spoil, reduced lorry movements through the National Park, and created a greener, more efficient project.

Delivering the Groundworks & Structure

Site access and preparation came first. We formed temporary and permanent haul routes, installed privacy bunds, restored dry-stone walls and hedges, and carefully cleared vegetation to open up working areas without scarring the landscape. Once we had a safe, well-planned site, the heavy earthworks could begin.

Our cut-and-fill strategy transformed the natural slopes into precise levels for the house, terraces, driveways and garden spaces. Hitting bedrock wasn’t a setback – it was an opportunity. Over 2,500 tonnes of rock were crushed on site and regraded for use in roads, foundations, retaining features and lake protection, turning a potential disposal cost into high-value, sustainable engineering material.

With the land reshaped, we moved into structural and services works. We constructed deep foundations, installed concealed plot drainage, and coordinated water, power and fibre ducting across the estate. Steel fixing, floor construction and concrete screeding followed, including high-polish concrete finishes for the garage and select internal areas – demanding tight tolerances and meticulous finishing to achieve the desired architectural look.

"This project is the perfect example of what our team can do”

James Duerden

Owner, Duerden Group Ltd

“Working alongside Reform and Omaze in the heart of the Lake District was a privilege. We were trusted with everything below and around the building – from the first bucket of earth to the final slab on the driveway. The team combined engineering precision with genuine care for the environment, and the finished home reflects that. It’s a project we’re incredibly proud to put our name to.”

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Engineering Challenges on a Protected Site

Building a multi-million-pound home inside a National Park meant every decision was scrutinised for safety, sustainability, and visual impact. Access for heavy plant was restricted, working space was tight, and the programme was fixed around the Omaze campaign timeline. At the same time, multiple trades had to operate side by side without compromising progress or standards.

To keep the project moving, we front-loaded planning and coordination. Detailed phasing, daily briefings and clear traffic management allowed us to move heavy excavators, dump trucks and specialist equipment safely through the site while maintaining productive work fronts for everyone involved. Our role as principal groundworks and civils contractor meant we were constantly balancing structural priorities with environmental and logistical constraints.

Water and ground conditions added another layer of complexity. We introduced environmentally conscious drainage solutions, including a Kingspan BioAir5 treatment system and oil interceptor, to protect local watercourses. Around the lake, we dredged using low-impact methods and stabilised the banks with rock armour and carefully placed reclaimed boulders, creating a long-term, resilient edge that looks natural yet performs like engineered infrastructure.

Project End

By the time the last slab was laid, the site had been transformed from untouched woodland and rough ground into a highly engineered yet beautifully natural estate. Tiered terraces framed with boulder walls, Italian marble paving, granite set driveways, floating steps and discreet rain channels all tie the property back into the landscape, rather than fighting against it.

Every major external element – from the access roads and foundations to the jetty base and final driveway – was built using material generated on site. Rock and soil that might have been treated as waste became structural fill, roadstone and landscape features. This approach dramatically reduced lorry movements, cut carbon, and delivered true value engineering for Reform Developments and Omaze.

Today, the home stands as one of the most prestigious private residences in the Lake District and a flagship project for Omaze UK. For Duerden Earthworks, it represents exactly what we strive for on every scheme: precise engineering, thoughtful environmental stewardship, and a client who can see our workmanship in every contour of the land.