Ingrebourne Links is IVL’s largest current project and involves the creation of a new golf complex in Rainham, Essex. A 9-hole ‘mini-links’ course and 30-bay driving range have already been completed. Construction is now underway for the 27-hole championship links golf course, with completion of the earthworks scheduled for July 2016. Construction of the clubhouse, tees, greens and bunkers will continue until 2017.

The site originally consisted of historically poorly restored sand and gravel workings. Some areas had been filled with waste and restored to ground level; other areas had been restored at low level with no filling or were simply left untouched.

The project

The restoration of this site coupled with the construction of this golf course, involved the importation of cohesive inert material that was either suitable directly or following treatment (principally screening to remove unsuitable/large pieces) made suitable to produce topsoil, subsoil, drainage materials and other necessary restoration material, all to USPGA standards.

The site drainage scheme has been designed to collect all surface and ground water to allow reuse in the course irrigation, which means there is no need for water to be abstracted from either the ground or adjoining water courses.

Skills and resources

The IV Links team is working closely with Alan Walker Golf Consultancy, who is an experienced golf course designer. IVL are accurately producing the vision of the course designer using highly-developed skills in precision land modelling, using both indigenous and imported materials. All restoration material is contoured and shaped using the latest GPS machine control equipment.

Environmental protection

The planning permission included a full environmental impact survey and management plan for the site, and this work has been undertaken and supervised by ECOSA and Natural England.

IV Links is evolving in accordance with the approved ecological, habitat and species protection plan drawn up by ECOSA. Buffer zones are being created, to avoid any damage to drainage, ground water tables, habitat, marine life and ecology. Furthermore, over 150,000 trees, bushes and shrubs are being planted on site to improve the general wildlife.

We hope that, on completion the site will become one of the leading golfing facilities in the south east of England.