Thanet Earth Built On Solid Foundations With The Help Of FGS Plant

Thanet Earth, Britain’s biggest glasshouse development at over 220 acres, is currently under construction near Margate in Kent. Its significance is huge, not only for the county but the whole of the UK. When fully operational, the site’s seven vast glasshouses will be home to some 1.3 million plants – estimated to increase the UK’s crop of salad vegetables by 15% and creating 550 new jobs in Kent.

Thanet Earth will be built on solid foundations with the help of Kent-based plant specialist, FGS Plant. It is part of a phenomenal effort that involves moving around 1million cubic metres of chalk/subsoil and topsoil.

FGS Plant currently has a fleet of excavators, ranging from five tonnes to 34 tonnes, and a six tonne dumper on site, which have been hired to Main Contractor Fitzpatrick as both operated and self-drive, and bulk earthworks subcontractor D&M Plant on a self-drive basis only.

Together, they are playing a key role in a delicate earthworks scheme that is working closely with local archaeologists to ensure any significant historic artefacts remain intact. To date, the earliest remains found are of the early Bronze Age (c 2500–1700 BC).

It is also maintaining a complete earthworks balance, with all materials remaining on site and reused elsewhere on the development. It is the perfect byline to the project’s impressive eco-credentials.