Project Overview
In 2023, a London borough council tendered a public park regeneration project requiring natural stone paving that met UK local authority specifications. The project involved replacing failing concrete pavers in a Victorian-era park with durable granite paving suitable for the 2 million+ annual visitors the park receives.
The council's specification was detailed: granite paving slabs to BS EN 1341, granite kerbs to BS EN 1343, flamed finish for slip resistance, and all stone sourced with documented ethical labour practices. Phoenix Power Stone won the tender against UK and European suppliers based on a combination of price, quality samples, and documented compliance.
| Project Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Project Type | Public park regeneration |
| Location | London Borough, UK |
| Total Stone Supplied | 3,500 sq m paving + 1,200 linear m kerbs |
| Timeline | 4 months (June – September 2023) |
| Containers Shipped | 8 × 20ft containers |
Stone Products Supplied
| Product | Material | Quantity | Finish | Spec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Pathway Paving | G654 Granite | 2,200 sq m | Flamed | 600×600×50mm |
| Plaza Feature Paving | G633 Granite | 800 sq m | Flamed | 600×400×50mm |
| Decorative Banding | G684 Granite | 500 sq m | Flamed | 300×300×50mm |
| Kerbstones | G654 Granite | 1,200 lm | Bush-hammered | 150×300×1000mm |
Challenges & Solutions
Challenge 1: UK Local Authority Compliance
The council required full BS EN 1341 (slabs) and BS EN 1342 (setts) test certification before accepting delivery. Without this documentation, the stone could not be installed — and the contractor would face penalties for project delay.
Solution: We commissioned third-party testing through SGS at our factory before shipment. Test reports covering compressive strength, water absorption, flexural strength, slip resistance (PTV wet), and dimensional tolerances were included with the first container. The council approved all documentation within 48 hours of receipt.
Challenge 2: Mixed Stone Color Palette
The landscape architect specified three granite colors — medium grey (G654), silver grey (G633), and dark grey (G684) — to create visual interest across the large plaza area. Each color needed to be consistent within its batch.
Solution: We processed each color from a dedicated quarry block, keeping production runs separate. Master reference samples for each color were approved by the architect before full production began. The three-tone palette created the exact visual rhythm the design called for — subtle enough to feel cohesive, distinct enough to define different zones within the park.
Results
- All stone delivered and approved within the 4-month construction window.
- Council quality inspector noted "exemplary" consistency of flamed finish across all batches.
- The project was shortlisted for a Local Government Chronicle award for public realm improvement.
- The council added Phoenix Power Stone to their approved supplier framework for future projects.