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Screw Pile Foundations Supporting a Community Hub in Cheltenham

  • 14 minutes ago
  • 3 min read

A Sustainable Foundation Solution for the Aim Up Activity Centre


When planning meets purpose, great projects happen - and the Aim Up Activity Centre (The Hub) in Cheltenham is a brilliant example of how screw pile foundations can unlock development on sensitive sites without compromising sustainability, performance, or design.

ABC Anchors were delighted to supply screw pile foundations for this inspiring community project, working alongside Showplace and Alternative Piling to deliver a planning-friendly, non-concrete foundation solution for a high-quality activity hub.



Project Overview

The result? A sustainable, low-impact foundation solution that supports a welcoming community building - without a single pour of concrete.


Supporting Aim Up’s Mission

Aim Up is a Gloucestershire-based charity supporting adults with disabilities, complex needs, and mental health conditions. Their work focuses on helping people live the life they want through supported living, outreach services, and community-focused projects.

The new Hub was commissioned as a dedicated activity centre - a safe, inclusive space for fitness sessions, creative workshops, and social events. Creating a building that felt permanent, welcoming, and high-quality was essential - even though traditional construction methods weren’t an option.


Site Constraints & Planning Challenges

The Hub was built within the grounds of an existing Aim Up property, on land that previously formed part of a car park. While the location was ideal from a community perspective, it came with strict planning and environmental constraints, including:

  • ❌ No permanent concrete foundations

  • 🌳 Protection of tree root systems

  • 💧 Safeguarding groundwater conditions

  • ⚡ Rapid on-site installation

  • 🏛️ A design sympathetic to Cheltenham’s Regency surroundings

This is exactly the type of project where screw pile foundations come into their own.


Why Screw Pile Foundations Were the Ideal Solution

To meet the planning and environmental requirements, screw pile foundations supplied by ABC Anchors were specified and installed by Alternative Piling.


Key benefits of screw piles on this project:

  • No excavation or concrete – ideal for planning-sensitive sites

  • Low-impact installation – minimal disturbance to surrounding ground

  • Protection of tree roots and groundwater

  • Fast installation – keeping time on site to a minimum

  • Fully removable and reversible foundations if required in the future

The screw pile system also allowed the structure to be raised above ground level, further reducing environmental impact while delivering excellent long-term performance.


The Building Structure & Materials

Showplace delivered the Hub using their Moda temporary structure system, adapted for comfortable, year-round use.


High-quality materials were chosen to ensure both performance and aesthetics:

  • Kingspan roofing and cladding systems for thermal efficiency

  • Natural slate cladding from Cupa Pizarras to blend with the surrounding architecture

  • Architectural glass to maximise daylight and create a bright, open feel

The result is a building that feels permanent, modern, and thoughtfully integrated into its surroundings - despite being constructed without traditional foundations.


Project Outcome: A Landmark Community Space

The completed Aim Up Hub has been extremely well received. Feedback highlights:

  • ⭐ The quality of the overall finish

  • ⭐ The visual impact of the slate cladding

  • ⭐ The distinctive honeycomb design

  • ⭐ The welcoming, light-filled interior

Given that conventional construction simply wasn’t viable on this site, the project has exceeded expectations and now provides a landmark space for the people Aim Up supports.


Screw Pile Foundations: A Smarter Alternative to Concrete

This project is a perfect demonstration of how modern screw pile foundations can replace traditional concrete foundations - particularly on sensitive or constrained sites.

Whether for community buildings, temporary structures, modular buildings, or planning-restricted developments, screw piles offer a sustainable, efficient, and future-proof foundation solution.


If you’re exploring alternatives to concrete foundations, ABC Anchors’ screw pile systems are designed to deliver performance without compromise - even on the most challenging sites.



 
 
 

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