Tobermore

Tobermore’s Historic Flags were used to create a timeless look at Cutters Wharf, a chic riverside complex in Belfast which has been referred to as ‘Northern Ireland’s favourite outdoor venue’.

When Robert Doyle Ecobuild Ltd won the contract to build the 3,000 sq. ft. €2 million homes at Dalkey Avenue, the contractor sought hard landscaping products that could perform well over time while complementing the distinct aesthetics of the properties. Tobermore surpassed expectations with the provision of attractive permeable paving, block paving and kerbing products for the scheme.

Tobermore’s Landscape Designer, Beth Moore, provided an expert design advice service for this educational facility which required an aesthetically pleasing solution designed for purpose. Secura Grand was an attractive and functional choice for the school amphitheatre the paving products specified complemented the site perfectly.

The ProjectDobbies, the UK’s largest garden centre retailer, has officially opened its store at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim.The 110,000ft flagship store is Dobbies’ second venture in Northern Ireland. This is the largest store in Dobbies’ UK portfolio with outdoor and indoor plant areas, pet, gift, and toy departments, as well as a cook shop and home décor area, a food hall, a children’s soft play area and new restaurant and coffee shop.Tobermore’s Sienna block paving in Silver was used in the flagship store to create a sleek, contemporary look. The striking aggregate finish to the paving perfectly compliments the modern exterior of the building. For the area around the new bowling green. Due to the level of expected footfall, it was important to consider hard-wearing but aesthetically pleasing paving options. The ChallengeModern paving was required for the retail development. Situated in The Junction Retail development in Antrim, and with a massive £10m invested, the 110,000ft2 store is the largest in Dobbies UK portfolio. To complement the modern aesthetics of the retail store, Dobbies sought hard landscaping to amplify the fresh contemporary feel. The store is expected to attract a footfall of around one million visitors per year. With that in mind, ensuring high quality, durable paving was used throughout the project was imperative. In addition to aesthetic and performance desires for the project and with sustainability in mind, Dobbies decided they wanted to source products locally to reduce their carbon footprint.The SolutionTobermore’s Sienna block paving in silver created a sleek, contemporary look. With a wide array of products all locally sourced, Tobermore was the chosen manufacturer to supply Dobbies with a hard landscaping solution which surpassed both aesthetic and performance expectations. Sienna block paving in Silver was used for the 3960m2 area in the retail store. Both areas, interior and exterior were paved with the striking aggregate finished product. Gerard Boyle, Senior Architect at Gray Design said “We chose Tobermore Sienna block paving due to it being produced locally, thus reducing its carbon footprint. We also wanted to support the local economy and Tobermore had a great selection of colours and products to choose from.”

An attractive hard landscaping product was required for an entrance area at East Midlands Airport in Derby and the beautiful granular surface and functional capabilities of Tobermore’s Textured Flags provided the ideal solution.

Ebbw Vale College Square is a stunning public space developed by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council that connects Ebbw Vale Railway Station and the town centre, which come together as ‘The Works’, a regeneration project to redevelop the former Ebbw Vale steelworks site. The granite aggregate finish and mixed colour design created with Tobermore’s Mayfair Flags was perfect for creating the contemporary look desired for the project.

TGP Help Mark New Era with Manhattan Plank Paving at Greg’s PlaceTGP Landscape Architects Ltd was assigned the task of designing the landscape at Greg’s Place, a vibrant outdoor community space which at the University of York, replacing the previous dilapidated Vanbrugh Piazza. Helping TGP to mark a new era for the University, Tobermore supplied the landscape architect with modern Manhattan plank paving and Granite Step Units which were used to create a unique, striking hard landscape.Greg’s Place was named in honour of Greg Dyke, a highly respected journalist, broadcaster, and chairman of The Football Association, who was additionally Chancellor at the University for 11 years.Andrew Gardener, Director at TGP, explained how the company won the opportunity to be involved in the refurbishment scheme: “The original site (Vanbrugh Piazza) was designed in the 1960’s and had gone unused for years, having never been updated. We took part in a competition being run by the University of York to come up with a design for a multi-functional space that students could use. We won the competition and presented a proposal to Greg Dyke and the Student Union, taking their opinions on board and the students ‘a year in the life’ concept that reflected the events taking place throughout the year for students – festivals, Christmas markets, graduations, etc.”TGP’s design concept had to meet a variety of requirements. Andrew noted: “The strong central axis of the site, which runs North / South from Vanbrugh College, was further enhanced by extending it out into the lake and placing a large timber and galvanised steel feature seating window on it. The space itself needed to be flexible enough for multi-purpose use and needed to work on a North / South and East / West axis.“Greg Dyke wanted a large screen installed for the communal screening of sports and movies on the College building to the West of the site. Timber, circular seating and a raised grass terrace were included to create multiple viewing directions within the site.”Andrew explained the selection of materials for the landscape at Greg’s Place:“For the hard landscaping, we knew that paving needed to be a versatile, cost effective, hard-wearing solution for the scheme.”ANDREW GARDENER, DIRECTOR AT TGP LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS LTDTobermore paving products were an obvious choice for TGP and Andrew was particularly impressed with Tobermore’s Premium Collection’s Manhattan plank paving system: “I liked the large format size; the mixed size units and the variety of colours available with the product are impressive and it is always good to see paving that is different to the standard often seen in public spaces.”Manhattan was ideal for creating a contemporary look at Greg’s Place as it is manufactured with a sparkling granite aggregate surface layer, reflecting the aesthetics of natural granite that is popular in European cities.TGP specified the product in Silver and Mid Grey, forming a subtle colour pattern. The landscape architect selected Tobermore’s Granite Step Unit as a stepping solution, which was a wonderful, modern accompaniment to Manhattan as Granite Step Units are manufactured with a similar granite aggregate surface finish.Andrew commented on the results of Greg’s Place:“We are delighted with the finished look of the scheme and the University is pleased that students, staff and visitors are making use of the area in a way they never did before.ANDREW GARDENER, DIRECTOR AT TGP LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS LTD“We are very happy with the products supplied by Tobermore as they have given a great contemporary feel to the space.“We plan to use Tobermore products again for forthcoming projects.” 

When PDP Associates was seeking a “high quality” hard landscaping product for David Wilson Homes’ lavish development Grey Towers Village in Nunthorpe, the vintage style and charm of Tobermore’s Tegula and Retro block paving proved to be the perfect solution

MNM Developments carefully crafted the 55 apartments at award-winning Harbour Green in Portobello to complement the aesthetics of the coastal suburb. Placing as much importance on the exterior of the landmark development located on the seafront at Portobello Promenade, the developer was looking for a paving product that would look as good as the Harbour Green interior.

Tobermore provided Lansdowne facing brick as a timeless and elegant external building solution for the homes at Harrison View. The project was highly commended in the ‘Best Social & Affordable Housing Development’ category at the 2015 North and East Yorkshire Building Excellence Awards.

Huddersfield Leisure Centre is a £36 million complex delivered by BAM Construction as part of an expansive regeneration plan for the town. Tobermore supplied a large quantity of Mayfair Flags and Mayfair Step Flags in sparkling Silver for the pedestrian areas around the sports and leisure facility.

Hudson Quarter is a prestigious, multi-award-winning, mixed-use development of 127 apartments and 9,570m2 of Grade A office space. The apartments are housed within three residential buildings with one office building based around a central courtyard. The sustainable project achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating upon completion.  The site, previously an existing 1960’s office building is based in a highly sensitive location within the ancient city walls of York. Sensitively designed to sit comfortably within its historic setting, Hudson Quarter has been created respecting its past whilst embracing 21st century working and living.  A dedicated parking area was incorporated into the design, available for both office staff and residents. Tobermore worked closely with the design team to ensure appropriate hard landscaping was chosen for the large car park adjacent to Hudson Quarter.  Tobermore’s Artro block paving was perfect for Hudson Quarter as it can withstand significant trafficking and its clay-like look adds a heritage feel with a modern twist to the hard landscaping. The herringbone laying pattern was specified, not only for appearance, but also because of its trafficability. 

When Solihull Borough Council was looking for a block paving system for the refurbishment of Hurst Lane Place, the council was seeking something that would meet both aesthetics and performance of the busy urban site. Tobermore presented a variety of product offerings and the council was particularly impressed with Tobermore’s Fusion block paving with its striking granite aggregate surface.

Hadfield Carkwell Davidson specified Tobermore for the 376,737sq ft job at the IKEA retail store in Sheffield.The large-scale scheme, which has created nearly 500 jobs, involved construction and fit-out of the two-storey superstore, providing a sales floor, warehouse, staff facilities, café, and children’s play area, as well as underground and external car parking. The project has received a BREEAM excellence accreditation due to its application of sustainable technologies like solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and electric vehicle charging points on-site.The ChallengeBlock paving was required to meet both SuDs requirements and aesthetic aspiration.The IKEA store was constructed adjacent to the famous Tinsley Viaduct on the outskirts of Sheffield, bringing the popular retail destination to the area near the Meadowhill Shopping Centre.A crucial part of the £60M project was that the hard landscaping design would satisfy SUDs requirements but maintain a high-end aesthetic appeal that would reflect the IKEA brand.The SolutionTobermore Hydropave products provided suitable drainage for the project.The hard landscaping solution created an outdoor area that effectively promoted the IKEA brand. By utilising high-end block paving product Fusion in the cool tones of silver, mid grey, and graphite, the elevated finish was beautifully realised. Permeable paving was employed in certain areas to support drainage that would meet SuDs requirements for the site, exemplifying the project’s green credentials. This in turn made it one of IKEA’s most sustainable stores.Tobermore’s Granite Step Units with Contrasting Nosing allow for the uneven terrain to be navigated elegantly with appealing steps that augment the customer experience at the IKEA store. Hazard Warning flags also ensure that the site fully meets modern accessibility standards for people with impaired vision.Laying patterns and delineation enhanced the area to meet customer expectations, creating spacious parking bays and attractive pedestrianised walkways. Hydropave Pedesta and Fusion paving combined to realise a project that radiates a unique, high-quality feel.

Project OverviewJohn O’Gaunt Golf Club aimed to expand its hospitality offering with a new outdoor seating area beside the clubhouse, which required a large tiered retaining wall. Tobermore proposed a tiered Secura Grand walling system for a durable, attractive solution. Mayfair slabs and Sienna Setts in Silver were chosen for the patio, offering a sleek granite finish, while Country Stone walling in Bracken was used for steps and detailed features.Founded in 1948 in the picturesque parkland of Sandy, Bedfordshire, John O’Gaunt Golf Club is a historic, 300-acre retreat. Home to two 18-hole courses and one of England’s largest members’ clubs, it offers a blend of tradition, beauty, and community for its members. The stately home clubhouse serves as a hub for social events, providing spectacular views of the courses.The ChallengeThe club sought to extend its hospitality offering by creating a new outdoor seating area adjacent to the clubhouse, overlooking the putting green and with a clear view down the course. This new patio space would provide members with additional seating to enjoy the stunning scenery. However, the proposed design required a retaining wall to facilitate the extension. Initially, the project architect had specified a single gabion wall to retain the expanded patio area. After an on-site consultation with Tobermore representatives, it became clear that there was an opportunity to use a more aesthetically appealing and space-efficient solution that would better match the prestigious surroundings of the club. The SolutionTo address both functionality and visual appeal, Tobermore’s team proposed a tiered retaining wall approach using their Secura Grand retaining wall system. This option allowed for a more expansive patio area by replacing the proposed gabion wall with a more decorative and robust solution. The Secura Grand blocks in Bracken were selected to seamlessly complement the existing stonework of the clubhouse, creating a contemporary yet harmonious design. For the main patio surface, Mayfair slabs in Silver along with Sienna Setts in Silver were recommended, adding a sleek granite aggregate finish that enhanced the overall modern feel of the space. Additionally, Country Stone walling in Bracken was used to craft elegant steps and intricate details around the clubhouse, adding depth and sophistication to the structure. The ResultThe result is a stunning outdoor space that perfectly balances function and form. The extended patio now provides a beautiful setting for members to relax, socialise, and take in the serene views of the course. The Secura Grand retaining wall blends seamlessly with the clubhouse’s stone façade, offering a timeless, elegant aesthetic that elevates the entire project. This new area has also proven to be a sought-after location for events and functions, enhancing the club’s hospitality offerings. By choosing Tobermore’s products, the club has ensured that this new feature will not only serve its members today but will remain a valuable asset for years to come. Customer Testimonial"We engaged Tobermore at the earliest stages of our project, even before appointing an architect, to help address the challenges posed by the slope and retaining wall requirements. Their team played a pivotal role, not only transforming the initial concept into a fully realised design but also guiding us through the process. The use of Tobermore’s retaining walls, country stone walling, coping, slabs, setts, and steps have not only resulted in a visually stunning terrace but also beautifully complements the historic charm of our 19th-century clubhouse. Throughout the project, Tobermore was proactive, supportive in key decisions, and provided invaluable guidance to both the contractor and the Club, ensuring the outcome exceeded expectations. "– Gordon MacLeod, General Manager, John O’Gaunt Golf Club

CALA Homes Sold on Tobermore Complementary Facing Brick & Paving SolutionCALA Homes developed Kinleith Mill, a beautiful and distinctive new housing development in Currie to the west of Edinburgh, and in keeping with the housebuilders high quality standards, the team wanted to ensure that the most appropriate building and hard landscaping materials were sourced for the site. CALA Homes has been developing aspirational and award-winning homes across the UK for over 30 years, earning the company an excellent reputation. Tobermore’s Scottish Sales team introduced the housebuilder to the superior facing brick and paving products produced at Tobermore which surpassed expectation. Tobermore’s timeless Lansdowne facing brick was selected for incorporation on the properties at Kinleith Mill and vibrant Pedesta block paving was specified as a complementary hard landscaping solution.Alan Cole, Commercial Manager at CALA Homes, explained Yeoman McAllister Architects design concept for the project: “The design was inspired by the sites history and the idyllic location next to the Water of Leith in Currie.“The development offers a unique collection of four and five bedroom detached homes, three and four bedroom semi-detached houses, three bedroom waterside terraced properties and a select group of apartments, all new to the CALA portfolio.”The exteriors of the Kinleith Mill homes were designed with a combination finish of facing brick and dash. Alan explained that their choice of facing brick was made very easy when they were presented with Tobermore’s Lansdowne product. Lansdowne undergoes a tumbling manufacturing process that produces a charming weathered look and is ideal for applications that require a warm, elegant finish.Alan commented:“The aged aesthetic created a rustic look and we thought it was the perfect choice for the style and character desired at Kinleith Mill. While the inside of the properties were designed with modern interiors and amenities, we wanted to bring a touch of tradition to the exterior.Alan Cole, Commercial Manager at CALA Homes“In addition, we examined existing projects that Tobermore’s Lansdowne facing brick was used on and it was clear to see that the product performed well over time and showed no fading or discolouration.” Tobermore’s Lansdowne offers excellent colour retention capabilities due to the fact that the best iron oxide pigments available are sourced to produce the vibrant colours available within the range to ensure that colour is retained throughout the lifetime of a product.As well as the buildings, Lansdowne was incorporated on the bridge which connects the homes to the tranquil countryside surrounding the development. This created continuity across the aesthetics on site.The landscaping was an important element on site as the exterior of a property is crucial when appealing to new home buyers. Alan noted: “Paving was an obvious choice for the hard landscaping requirement as we knew it would enhance the appearance of the site more so than alternatives such as tarmac. Paving also offered benefits in that it is hard-wearing and should any blocks ever need replaced in the future, it is relatively easy and inexpensive to do so.”CALA Homes selected Tobermore’s Pedesta block paving as an attractive and versatile hard landscaping material. Pedesta is manufactured with a stunning, smooth finish and a rectangular profile that allows the creation of distinctive laying patterns. Alan noted:“Pedesta was the ideal paving product as it offered a beautiful yet simplistic finish that complemented the brick façade of the properties.”Alan Cole, Commercial Manager at CALA HomesThe properties at Kinleith Mill were highly sought after, ranging in price from £450,000- £670,000.Alan reflected on the project: “We couldn’t have hoped for a better result. Kinleith Mill is another development which we are incredibly proud of.“The products and the assistance provided by Tobermore was first class and we would have no hesitation working with the manufacturer again on future projects.”

The ChallengeAttractive permeable paving was required for two luxurious rural properties  Kite and Kestrel have been designed to create an agricultural character with a modern appearance. The two luxury homes located a short walk from West Wittering beach, have been carefully designed to remain connected with the locality.  The properties required a complementary paving solution that was functional yet aesthetically pleasing. Paving was required for the two driveways alongside the shared access courtyard. The developer wanted the areas to be clearly differentiated to give each property its own space.  Laying patterns were a useful way to subtly break up the area and give individuality to the properties. Whilst kerbing was required functionally, continuity with the overall modern design needed to be considered.  The developer encountered some difficulties when obtaining planning permission due to the properties high profile and sensitive location. The council’s strong desire to protect the environment of the rural location contributed to the request for a permeable paving solution. The Solution Tobermore’s Hydropave permeable paving was the perfect SuDS solution.   Tobermore provided hard landscape products for the courtyard and driveways to achieve the ‘modern, yet rural’ design brief. Manufactured to create a rustic, aged appearance, Tobermore’s Hydropave Tegula permeable paving brings elegance and charm to the luxury homes. With its ability to function as a SuDS system, choosing to use Hydropave increased the chances for planning permission approval, whilst aligning with the environmental factors considered when designing the properties.  Junnell Homes wanted to subtly separate the driveway area from the courtyard, while maintaining the aesthetic appeal. Hydropave Tegula was chosen for both locations, but with different laying patterns and unit sizes.  A herringbone laying pattern was used for the courtyard, offering an aesthetic appeal and increased trafficability. To ensure continuity of the style, the driveways were also laid with permeable block paving but using duo sizes in a stretcher bond laying pattern, helping to break up the space.  Fusion Kerb offered Junnell Homes a cost-effective, premium kerb with the striking aesthetics of a granite kerb.

The ChallengeFailing retaining wall needed to be stabilised and strengthened.The failing masonry wall, to the rear of Latches Close Social Housing, was braced with timber struts and remained like this for 10 years. The ‘temporary’ buttress was effective for a short time but then the wall began to move. The brick retaining wall had fractured at the corner which was a sign it was slowly inching forward. For fear of the wall’s collapse, the surrounding area was cordoned off with heras fencing. For health and safety reasons, the rear of the social housing was completely ‘out of bounds’.The wall couldn’t be taken down and replaced because there was a car sales elevated above. The car sales proprietor did not want his land to be affected. Clarion Housing Group contacted Engie to survey the failing wall and propose a solution. The SolutionSecura Grand was installed under the expert advice of Tobermore’s Civil Engineering Consultants.Engie had previously worked with Tobermore on other schemes and had experience using their Secura Grand Retaining Wall system. Following consultations with Tobermore’s Civil Engineering Consultants, Engie proposed Secura Grand as a solution to strengthen and stabilise the existing wall.Rather than replacing the entire wall, the existing wall and its timber buttress was incorporated into the retaining wall designs. This retaining wall project has restored land for the residents and property managers.

Laurel Bank is a charming development of distinguished homes nestled in the peace and tranquillity of Moneyreagh village in County Down. Long-standing Northern Ireland housebuilder, JH Price & Sons, designed the 71 homes to the highest specification and having worked with Tobermore on a regular basis over the last two decades, the developer found that Tobermore had the ideal paving and walling products that would create the warm, elegant style desired at Laurel Bank.

Granite-look Paving was required for a large city-centre public realm scheme. Braemar, Tobermore’s premium concrete paving with the aesthetic appeal of natural granite provided the perfect solution.The £20m+ public realm regeneration has transformed Leeds City Centre into a World-Class Gateway to the city for bus users, pedestrians and cyclists. The contractor was delighted that Braemar was readily available in large quantities and short lead times.

Tobermore’s Secura Grand Retaining Wall facilitated the creation of a new shared-use route in Edinburgh. Secura Grand is used as a retaining wall system which also supports a bridge used for walking and cycling. This new path provides a safe, fun and convenient route around the City for pedestrians and cyclists alike. The vital community link connects the Shore in Leith with Portobello Promenade. The route forms part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Family Network as set out in the Active Travel Action Plan.

The Challenge Modern paving was required for the entrance plaza of a shopping destination High Street Mall has been transformed into Portadown’s leading retail and parking hub. The £6m regeneration project required a new shopping centre layout, enhanced parking, greater town centre access and a new pedestrianised central plaza with modern landscaping. Over 2000m2 of modern paving material was required for the entrance to the retail hub. Due to the expansive nature of the area, laying patterns would need to be used to ‘zone’ and break up areas into smaller pockets of space. The plaza needed to be designed in a way that people could use it as a place to gather and socialise. The client wanted the retail project to have a public realm feel to it that the community could enjoy. The Solution Tobermore’s Fusion block paving created a plaza with a striking, modern look.  Fusion block paving in Silver, Mid Grey, Sandstone and Noir was chosen for the 2000m2 plaza which created a striking, modern look. The entrance to the new 25,000ft2 Lidl store features a new pedestrianised square complete with seating and planters. Anchor tenants, Lidl, opted for 600m2 of Fusion paving to be laid outside their premises in keeping with the rest of the retail park. The client fully embraced the complimentary hard landscape proposal which was provided by Tobermore. Unique laying patterns were used to ‘zone’ and break up space in the expansively paved area. The paving design provided by Tobermore featured ‘pockets of space’ where coffee docks and pop-up markets could be situated. Fusion in Sandstone and a small proportion of Mid Grey was used to zone ‘public’ areas like the courtyard. The walkways feature Fusion in Silver and Mid Grey with a low percentage of Sandstone in the blend. These design choices were made to distinguish each area while still giving subtle reference to each other. Bands of Fusion in Noir were used as buffer strips to create a clear distinction of where people can walk into and out of the Lidl store.  The retail project certainly has a public realm feel to it as it is fully pedestrianised. The plaza was designed in a way that the local community could use it as a place to gather and socialise. There are seated areas with soft landscaping that creates a calming atmosphere for people to relax.  

Limerick Institute of Technology’s Coonagh Campus is the first engineering-focused higher education campus in the Mid-West of Ireland.The new 7,000m2 engineering campus provides an additional 542 places on LIT’s engineering courses, an expansion which is considered essential to support industry demand in the region.Designed to provide agility of use, the campus will go beyond what is traditionally expected from an educational institution. It will provide facilities that encourage education and research to co-exist, facilitate industry leaders to meet and share ideas, and allow companies to use the various diverse spaces for training courses and seminars.Tobermore is proud to have provided granite-look paving and kerbs on this landmark Irish project.

Pavement Shifting Protection for Roads in SouthwarkIn recent years, Southwark Council encountered problems creating and maintaining attractively paved surfaces in busy carriageways.David Farnham, Highways Design Quality Manager at Southwark Council, explained: “Southwark boasts some of central London’s great destinations – from the tourist sites around London Bridge, Tower Bridge and Bankside, to vibrant neighbourhood centres like Peckham, Camberwell and Dulwich. The quality of our streets is a big part of the appeal, and residents and visitors expect them to be attractively landscaped and well maintained.“Installing paved areas in roads at crossings and junctions helps provide that quality of place whilst also having a calming effect on traffic. This is something we support as part of a tool-kit of shared space design measures. However, it poses some real design and maintenance challenges.”David Farnham, Highways Design Quality Manager at Southwark CouncilWhilst the trend in central London over recent years had been to install natural stone sett surfaces within a rigid construction system, Southwark Council found this to be too costly for most locations and difficult to reinstate. Meanwhile, complex detailing was needed if all too common defects were to be avoided, even under moderate traffic. The Council identified concrete block surfacing, used within a flexible construction system, as a potentially simpler and cheaper alternative – provided certain requirements could be met.David Farnham commented, “We wanted to replicate the appearance of modern natural stone surfaces as faithfully as possible. In order to look the part, any concrete blocks had to be capable of being laid in stretcher bond on busy roads. That’s difficult with a flexible system as a herringbone bond is typically needed to increase surface interlock and prevent individual blocks from shifting. If not avoided that can lead blocks to work lose and the surface to rut. Also, in order to have a traffic calming effect we needed blocks to be quite large and to have varied finishes so approaching drivers would notice them. Traditional 200×100 concrete blocks weren’t compatible with these needs.”Tobermore introduced Southwark to their solution – the City Pave VS5 block paving system. The innovative product incorporates shift protection on five sides of each block via interlocking nibs and a specially profiled bottom surface that claws sand beds. These innovations provide continuous protection against shifting from horizontal and vertical loads, all within a traditional rectangular shaped block. The system even outperforms other interlocking blocks often used in goods yards and other heavy load areas. It gives designers the freedom to use flexible construction systems with confidence – even when laying blocks in stretcher bond on busy roads.City Pave VS5 also offers a hard wearing granite aggregate surface layer that produces a striking finish, similar to the appearance of natural granite. As well as the aesthetic appeal, the hard wearing surface layer improves the strength and durability of the product.Southwark Council specified the product in a mix of Silver, Mid Grey and Graphite colours to mimic the natural variability of stone. The combination of the three product colours and the larger element 300x150x100mm size of the City Pave VS5 block was used to create the desired ‘traffic-calming’ effect.City Pave VS5 was installed on streets across the borough, including Camberwell Green, Borough High Street and Blanchedown Road – typically as part of raised table features at junctions and crossings.David Farnham said, “Overall, the City Pave VS5 system helped to substantially reduce construction costs compared with rigid stone sett construction systems. Visually, the stretcher bond, mix of top finishes and large module sizes has been very successful.”

The £100 million housing project replaced the former Manor & Kingsway hospital in Derby. Tobermore supplied a vast expanse of attractive paving products for the trafficked and pedestrian areas on site that met functional and SuDS requirements.

Martello Park in Pembroke, South Wales, is one of the latest developments crafted by Persimmon Homes. The housebuilder faced challenges with this project in sourcing a housebuilding product that would blend with the traditional surroundings and vintage charm of Pembroke. That was until Tobermore introduced Persimmon Homes to Country Stone Walling – an attractive yet cost-effective alternative to natural stone

Tobermore’s smooth Shannon block paving was the ideal hard landscaping material for the outdoor dining area at this McDonald’s outlet is Birmingham as the smooth, deep coloured surface is ideal for pedestrian use and wheeled traffic such as prams etc.

A retaining wall was the perfect solution at Meadowbank Sports Arena for resisting pressures from the heightened land beside the running track as well as creating a safe boundary area for the outdoor facilities on site.

Middlesbrough Council developed the idea for Middlesbrough Sports Village which included the construction of a 250m velodrome and a stadium to accommodate an eight lane track and field with seating for 650 people, as well as a five court racquet hall, gym, tennis courts and all-weather pitches. An attractive hard landscaping solution was needed to enhance the pedestrian areas at the new £23 million Sports Village and Tobermore helped the council achieve this with the provision of Mayfair Flags – a paving slab with a granite aggregate surface layer that produces a striking, contemporary look.

Montalto is an enchanting estate set in magnificent, natural surroundings in Ballynahinch, County Down. The visitor offering includes captivating trails and gardens, a unique eating environment and a distinctive retail element.A stunning new visitor centre, shop and café was built at the prestigious Montalto Estate. The privately owned Estate opened to the public in 2018 and has developed into a flagship tourist destination. The project was a finalist in the Tourism and Leisure category of the RICS Awards Northern Ireland.

Ebbw Vale Railway Station was introduced to serve the town of Ebbw Vale and extend links to surrounding areas. Tobermore’s contemporary Mayfair Flags were specified by Blaenau Gwent County Council as an attractive and functional hard landscaping solution for the railway platforms.

The upmarket development was built on a sloping site which required an attractive retaining wall.A large retaining wall was required but space was limited. The retaining wall needed to incorporate corners, curves and steps, as well as supporting an elevated car park above it.The existing site conditions were far from ideal and required significant remediation works.Peter Leonard, Quantity Surveyor at Carpenterbuild Ltd commented: “Having no prior awareness of alternative retention methods, we were going to use a Gabion Basket system. We had previous experience using Gabions on other schemes.”

This housing development required a retaining wall solution but presented challenges in terms of limited space and existing services. Two retaining walls were required at the sides of the entrance to Nicholls Lane housing development. While a Geogrid Reinforced Backfill method was appropriate for the Secura Grand retaining wall on the righthand side of the development, the retaining wall on the left was met with the challenges of limited space and existing services. The highway boundary limited the amount of space available to construct the retaining wall on the left- hand side. The existing services present within the retained soil caused further complexities. On this occasion minimising excavation was crucial due to the services within the retained soil. Efficient use of land was vital as the Secura wall didn’t have the room at the back for geogrid or for no-fines concrete backfill. It was desirable that both walls at the sides of the entrance looked the same despite their different conditions.

Southern Green, a landscape architecture firm based in Gateshead, was appointed to design the landscape at Northshore Innovation Centre, a project that is part of a wider regeneration masterplan in Stockton-on-Tees, which has been referred to as one of the most exciting regeneration developments in the north of England in recent years. Tobermore provided Southern Green with a variety of hard landscaping products that offered modern aesthetics to complement the new building whilst protecting against pavement shifting.

A contemporary hard landscaping solution was required at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at the University of Sheffield and Tobermore’s Mayfair Flags and Step Flags provided the ideal finish.

Tobermore provided a full paving and walling solution for Oakwood Extra Care, a new build care facility in Wellington. This included the provision of an expert retaining wall design service from Geoman.