If you’re planning a development in Cambridge, Peterborough or across Cambridgeshire, a thorough ground investigation is essential to inform design, manage risk, and support planning approval.
At AF Howland Associates, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest standard of integrated ground and site investigation services, combining geotechnical and environmental expertise to deliver reliable data for construction and development projects across the region.
Contact Our Team
We operate across Cambridgeshire, including Cambridge, St Neots, Wisbech, Huntingdon and Peterborough. We have 4 offices around the UK with field teams able to mobilise quickly across England, Scotland, and Wales. Whether your site is in the Home Counties, the East of England, or further afield, we have the reach and resources to deliver.
Our thorough site investigation approach is tailored for developments across Cambridge, Peterborough and the broader Cambridgeshire region, ensuring detailed analysis and reporting. Early-stage desk studies and walkover surveys help identify potential risks and constraints before progressing to intrusive ground investigation survey works such as boreholes and trial pits.
This structured approach ensures that each geotechnical ground investigation is tailored to your site’s specific conditions. It ensures precise data, mitigating risks and allowing you to move confidently into design and construction.
Our work identifies potential risks and constraints early, helping to inform cost-effective and efficient foundation design and project delivery.
As an established ground investigation company, we support a wide range of clients, including developers, engineers, contractors, and public sector organisations.
Our team has extensive experience working with ground conditions unique to Cambridge, Peterborough and other Cambridgeshire locations, from chalk geology to more variable soils across rural and developed areas. We design ground surveys that reflect local conditions and project requirements.
Contact Our Team
We provide a full range of ground investigation services, including:
• Borehole drilling
• Trial pits
• Dynamic probing
• Soil sampling and classification
• In-situ testing (CBR, plate load testing)
• Laboratory analysis
• Contaminated land investigations
• Ground gas monitoring
• Environmental risk assessment
Each ground investigation survey is carefully designed using the most appropriate techniques for your site, ensuring accurate, actionable data for engineering design and planning.
A well-prepared ground investigation report is a key requirement for development projects. Our reports are designed to support planning applications, discharge conditions, and inform foundation and structural design.
We present findings clearly and provide practical recommendations, helping project teams understand site constraints and reduce the risk of delays or unexpected costs. All reporting is carried out in line with current UK standards and guidance.
We regularly undertake ground investigation services across Cambridge, including city centre developments, science parks, and university estates, as well as residential and commercial projects throughout Peterborough and the wider Cambridgeshire area.
Our familiarity with the region allows us to respond effectively to site-specific challenges, whether working on constrained urban sites or larger greenfield developments.
A ground investigation is typically required when preparing a planning application, particularly for sites where ground conditions are unknown or where development may be affected by contamination or instability. It is also essential when designing foundations or infrastructure, as accurate ground data underpins safe and cost-effective design.
Engaging early allows potential risks to be identified and addressed before they impact your programme or budget.
Choosing the right partner for your ground investigation is critical to the success of your project. Our team combines technical expertise with a practical understanding of construction and development pressures, ensuring investigations are delivered efficiently and aligned with programme requirements.
At AF Howland Associates, we pride ourselves on providing integrated ground and site investigation services, combining extensive geotechnical and environmental expertise to deliver reliable data for construction and development projects across the region, backed by decades of local experience.
Here’s what makes clients keep coming back to us.
Looking for Ground investigation services in Cambridgeshire?
Contact us today to discuss your project requirements. Let A F Howland Associates provide the dependable data and expert guidance you need for a successful project.
Contact Us
If you are looking for experienced ground investigation companies in Cambridge, Peterborough or Cambridgeshire, AF Howland Associates can provide a tailored solution for your project.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements and arrange a ground investigation survey that meets your site and programme needs.
See what our clients think about our expert services
"Everything was perfect and delivered on time – excellent work. We've been working with Howlands for our ground investigations for a long time, and they excel in communication, providing RAMS well ahead of start dates, and being highly accommodating to our needs. All information is issued in advance, ensuring a smooth and seamless process on-site. No concerns at all – everything was spot on.”Anglian Water
"We were fully satisfied with the work carried out and the overall experience of working with A F Howland throughout the project. We would absolutely use their services again and recommend them to others without hesitation. Their team was very attentive, acknowledging that their activities might cause some mess, but they went above and beyond to minimise the impact.”NCS Group
"The site was left in excellent condition – neat, tidy, and fully reinstated – you wouldn’t even know any surveys or works had taken place. Despite our tight timeframe, all expectations were met as quoted and advised. We would definitely use their services again and highly recommend them to others. A F Howland is a very professional and honest company with outstanding staff. Toby Skinner and his team were exceptional, true professionals and a credit to your company.”SRS Aromatics Ltd
“This project involved ground investigation (GI) within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) located on a low-lying coastal floodplain. A F Howland associates demonstrated exceptional capability and efficiency across all aspects of the project, including contract management, fieldwork, and collaboration with landowners and ecologists.”Perfect Circle
