Roger Bullivant Limited (RBL) has been appointed by main contractor McLaren to carry out piling works for a new Boxing Academy and school development in Hackney, East London.

The high-profile project, commissioned by the Department for Education and the Boxing Academy Trust, will transform an unfinished sports facility into a state-of-the-art educational and sports complex. The scheme places a strong emphasis on community impact and youth development in the area.

Mobilisation is already underway, with piling works scheduled to begin in early July. RBL will install Continuous Displacement Auger (CDA) piles to depths of approximately 13–14 metres. This solution was selected based on its cost-effectiveness and compatibility with the site’s complex ground conditions, which include made ground, Hackney Gravel, and London Clay from around 4.5 metres below the surface.


The CDA piling method, developed by RBL’s in-house Research & Development team, is a sustainable alternative to traditional Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles. Designed as a cast in-situ displacement pile, CDA technology minimises spoil generation and the need for off-site waste removal, making it well-suited for urban developments with environmental constraints.

The method is known for its high load-bearing capacity and flexibility across a variety of soil types, including stiff clays and loose granular soils, common in inner-city construction projects like this one.