GRM Development Solutions Ltd

25/08/2026

Last week we commented on recent incidents where the collapse of historic mine workings had impacted two Scottish communities.

Both of these incidents related to coal mine workings, but Britain has a long and diverse mining history which includes a wide range of other resources.

Back in 2024 we published a series of articles covering these different resources and the potential issues for landowners and developers. We therefore thought it would be worth sharing a summary of this series and some of the mitigation strategies that our teams at GRM regularly deploy when necessary.

Our article last week focused on the impact that historic mine workings can have on communities, specifically in reference to two recent cases in Scotland: A Reminder of Our Mining Heritage and the Mitigation Strategies for Developments Impacted by Remnant Hazards GRM has a wealth of experience and....

20/08/2026

More than 250 residents of the Scottish village of Coalsnaughton were moved out of their homes earlier this summer after cracks appeared in roads, paths, and homes.

These ground movements were subsequently investigated by the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) who confirmed that they were related to historic mining activity in the area. Another incident 4 miles away near Alloa was confirmed earlier this week.

Understanding the history and legacy of coal mining is essential for managing the potential impact on land development projects. GRM has a wealth of experience and expertise in the mining sector, including Coal Mining Risk Assessments.

More information in our latest online article:

This summer has seen several incidents where the collapse of historic coal mine shafts has impacted residential and commercial properties. Back in May more than 250 residents in four streets in the Scottish village of Coalsnaughton were moved out of their homes after cracks appeared in roads, paths,...

12/08/2026

Meet 'Guinness', our Chief Soil Sniffing Officer, who has been helping with inspections this week...

While she's mostly checking for dropped biscuits, our geo-environmental team has been watching for something more significant: desiccation.

Prolonged dry weather can cause clay-rich soils to shrink, leading to ground movement and cracking that may affect foundations, retaining structures and infrastructure.

If you've noticed cracking ground or are planning development on shrink-swell soils, understanding the ground conditions early can help avoid costly surprises.

More information in our latest online article:

https://www.grm-uk.com/a-topical-and-tropical-heat-alert-from-grm-hot-weather-clay-soils-and-building-foundations-dont-always-mix/

06/08/2026

National Underwear Day ‘reinforces’ the importance of Good Foundations!

It is tenuous, we know! But this is the silly season for news stories and so we decided to run with it!

National Underwear Day might seem like an unusual thing to celebrate, but it does remind us of one important principle: what you don't see is often the most important part. And that is where our teams at GRM come in...

Full story:

It has been a busy week for everyone here at GRM so please forgive this ‘silly season’ summer post which attempts to ride on the back of National Underwear Day (celebrated annually on 5th August) with a somewhat tenuous link to the importance of good building foundations! And we promise to keep ...

27/07/2026

We have always been lucky with the weather for our annual team crazy golf championship and BBQ, and this year was no exception with 'heated' conditions both on and off the Woodlands Course at Branston Golf & Country Club.

Full details including the winners and 'if only' stories in our latest online article:

Our annual team crazy golf tournament recently took place at Branston Golf & Country Club and, once again, we were treated to fantastic weather and perfect playing conditions in the shady woodland course! Now firmly established as a highlight of the GRM social calendar, the event continues to bring....

16/07/2026

The team at GRM recently welcomed two A-level students from a local school for a week of work experience, giving them the opportunity to explore the world of business and gain a valuable insight into life in a professional workplace.

Our colleagues were proud to share their knowledge, answer questions, and provide hands-on guidance, helping the students build confidence while discovering where their own interests and ambitions could lead them.

It was great to get a 'thank you' card with some lovely comments from the students at the end of their time with us.

We’d be interested to hear people’s stories of their own work experience – did you do something relevant to the job you do today, or maybe you had an entirely different career aspiration when you were in school?

Full story in our latest online article:

At GRM, we believe that developing future talent is just as important as delivering exceptional solutions for our clients. That’s why we were delighted to welcome two A-level students from a local school for a week of work experience, giving them the opportunity to explore the world of business an...

08/07/2026

Our article last week featuring Geoff Beckett's geological 'holiday snaps' didnt go unnoticed by some of the GRM Team.

This week, Paige Colling has offered up pictures of something slightly more familiar from her recent break to Northern Ireland.

No prizes for spotting the iconic columnar basalt jointing, but Paige did also notice the interbedded laterite between the lava. More details in our latest article:

Last week we ran an article about finding unusual and quirky geological features while on holiday. In this case it was one of our Directors, Geoff Beckett, and some limestone slabs which were being used as bordering and boundary markers for a historic Grade I listed building (Sedimentary Slabs Surpr...

01/07/2026

Our Team are always on the lookout for unusual or quirky features, even when away from work or on holiday!

One of our Directors, Geoffrey Beckett, recently spotted these limestone slabs being used as boundary markers for a historic Grade I listed building that he went to visit.

The fencing showcases the innovative use of local materials, with the vertically placed limestone slabs linked with iron clamps (turns out the slab fencing itself has grade II status!).

But can you guess where Geoff was and which Grade I listed building he visited? A clue: It was built around 1570 and served as the country home of William Morris, the writer, designer, socialist, and father of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Answer in the full article on our website:

The recent spell of hot weather is a reminder that the summer holiday season has arrived. Many of our GRM team will be taking time off over the next few months to relax and unwind, either here in the UK or further afield. While we expect them to forget all about work, client projects, and…

24/06/2026

Japanese Knotweed, along with other invasive and potentially hazardous species such as Giant Hogweed, is frequently encountered on brownfield land, unmanaged sites and railway embankments.

Identifying and recording these species during site walkovers can be an important part of the development process, as their presence may create significant constraints for clients and redevelopment proposals.

When George Salloway, Senior Geo-Environmental Scientist at GRM, identified a stand of Japanese Knotweed locally he organised an impromptu field visit for several of the team who are frequently involved in site-based work.

More information in our latest online article:

Continuous professional development and knowledge sharing are central to GRM’s culture. This applies not only to graduates and newer team members beginning their careers, but also to experienced staff looking to refresh and expand their knowledge of issues commonly encountered on development sites...

10/06/2026

June has started really well for GRM, with our teams working on numerous client projects across the UK (further details in our latest online post via link below).

Some of the team also attended two charity fundraising events last week, both organised by David Wilson Homes.

The inaugural DWH (East Midlands) Charity Gala Dinner in support of Dementia UK took place last week at Winstanley House in Leicester and was a great success.

Followed by the DWH (South Midlands) Charity Golf Day at Hellidon Lakes Golf Course in Daventry, this time in support of The Air Ambulance Service.

More details and pictures in our online post:

We are proud of our end-to-end services that support land developers throughout the life cycle of their projects. Every week our field and office-based teams deliver a diverse range of services, each designed specifically for the client to provide the most compliant and cost-effective solution to th...