our story

London Basement Expertise, Now in Northern England

30+ years of complex basement delivery — expanded north.

After more than 30 years delivering high-value basement projects in London, Darren Wilks, Director of Basement Structures London and Basement Structures North, established a dedicated northern operation to serve an increasingly underserved market.

Basement Structures North brings the same engineering-led approach to luxury shell & core basement construction across Northern England, delivering discreet, architect-led projects in areas such as Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Harrogate, Ilkley, Ponteland and the Lake District, with all works designed to BS 8102:2022 and managed under BS 5975-1:2024 temporary works procedures.

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Darren Wilks, Director of Basement Structures London & Basement Structures North

Building Down — The Discreet Way to Add Luxury Space in the North

In Northern England’s premium neighbourhoods — from Cheshire’s Golden Triangle to Yorkshire’s heritage villages and Northumberland estates — homeowners and developers increasingly build down to protect gardens, preserve elevations and avoid over-extending character properties. But below-ground construction only performs long-term when the structure, waterproofing and temporary works are designed and managed as one system.

Basement Structures North manages the high-risk phase in-house: feasibility and sequencing, engineered excavation, temporary works controls, and waterproofing design to BS 8102:2022. Where local authority requirements apply, we support a borough-ready pathway with BIA, CTMP/CLP/CMP, CoCP and Section 61 where needed — keeping programmes predictable and neighbours informed.

Our Professional Services
Basement construction in Northern England — reinforced concrete structures, temporary works controls and BS 8102 waterproofing design led by a CSSW specialist
Basement Structures North leadership — specialist basement construction delivery across Northern England

Who We Are — Basement Construction Specialists, Not General Builders

Basement Structures North is the northern arm of a team with 30+ years delivering complex basement construction. We focus on the parts that make or break performance: structure, waterproofing design and temporary works — coordinated with architects, engineers and project teams to reduce risk and protect programme.

Our projects are led by named specialists: waterproofing designed to BS 8102:2022 by a CSSW, temporary works managed to BS 5975-1:2024 with an appointed TWC/TWS, and construction delivered by an experienced in-house team. For clients, it means clearer accountability, fewer interfaces and a basement structure that’s built to last.

Why Hire Basement Structures North

We’re shell & core basement construction experts — ideal for luxury homes where the underground structure must perform, remain maintainable, and integrate cleanly with architect-led design. From constrained plots in Hale and Altrincham to sloping sites around Harrogate, Ilkley and the South Lakes, we bring proven sequencing, monitoring and neighbour management.

  • 30+ years delivering basements
  • BS 8102:2022 waterproofing designed by a named CSSW specialist
  • BS 5975-1:2024 temporary works procedures with appointed TWC/TWS
  • Borough-ready documentation: BIA, CTMP/CLP/CMP, CoCP and Section 61 support
  • Delivery aligned with RIBA Architects / Chartered Engineers
  • Insurance in place: CAR/PL/EL, plus PI for design
Specialist basement construction team — in-house delivery, temporary works and BS 8102 waterproofing design for Northern England projects

BS 8102:2022 waterproofing — designed by a named CSSW

We design for a Grade 3 internal environment, typically combining Type B watertight concrete with a maintainable Type C cavity drain system, dual pumps and alarms — detailed and signed off by a CSSW waterproofing specialist.

  • Jointing and penetrations detailed from day one
  • Maintainable drainage routes and planned aftercare
  • Clear acceptance pathway for warranties (project dependent)

Temporary works & excavation controls (BS 5975-1:2024)

Safety and structural performance are managed through formal temporary works procedures with an appointed TWC/TWS, design briefs and check categories, permits-to-load and hold points, plus monitoring for movement, noise and vibration where required.

  • Underpinning, propping and façade retention as required
  • Trigger/action level monitoring
  • Sequencing built around risk reduction

Logistics, compliance & neighbour management

For high-value residential areas, we support a borough-ready approach: BIA, CTMP/CLP/CMP, CoCP and Section 61 where needed, with proactive stakeholder communication to protect your project’s reputation.

  • Considerate site controls
  • Clear reporting and predictable programmes
  • Traffic routing and delivery planning

Insurance & professional assurance

We maintain appropriate cover for basement construction and design responsibilities, including CAR/PL/EL and professional indemnity for design (project dependent).

  • Policy details available on request
  • Procurement and contract support for professional teams

What we deliver

  • Basement feasibility and early risk reviews
  • New-build and retrofit basement structures (shell & core)
  • Excavation, underpinning and temporary works management
  • Waterproofing design and coordination to BS 8102:2022
  • Engineering-first delivery that integrates with architect-led design

Our process

  • Step 1: Feasibility, constraints and budget bands
  • Step 2: Design + compliance support (BS 8102 / BS 5975-1)
  • Step 3: Excavation + structure with monitoring and hold points
  • Step 4: Waterproofing integration + shell handover
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Luxury basement structure — engineered shell & core construction with coordinated waterproofing and services integration

What we build

We construct robust below-ground structures for high-end homes — from discreet under-house extensions to expansive under-garden basements. Our focus is the engineered core: reinforced concrete structure, waterproofing design integration, and temporary works-managed excavation, so the space can be finished to an exceptional standard by your architect and specialist teams.

Our typical project locations

Cheshire: Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Prestbury, Knutsford • South Manchester: Hale, Bowdon, Altrincham • Yorkshire: Harrogate, Ilkley, North Leeds • North East: Darras Hall, Ponteland, Jesmond, Wynyard • Cumbria: Windermere, Ambleside, Penrith.

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questions/answers

About Basement Structures North — FAQs

We specialise in basement construction shell & core — structure, waterproofing design and temporary works. That includes BS 8102:2022 waterproofing designed by a named CSSW, BS 5975-1:2024 procedures with an appointed TWC/TWS, and practical neighbour-first site controls.

Yes. Where required we support a borough-ready approach with BIA, CTMP/CLP/CMP, CoCP and Section 61, plus delivery planning that protects access, neighbours and programme on premium residential sites.

We design for a Grade 3 internal environment to BS 8102:2022, typically combining Type B watertight concrete with a maintainable Type C system, pumps and alarms. Details like joints, penetrations and drainage are specified early and signed off by a CSSW designer, with a maintainable strategy for long-term performance.

Yes — from tight plots in Hale and Bowdon to heritage settings around Harrogate and York. We plan sequencing, temporary works, monitoring and logistics to reduce disruption and protect adjacent structures.

We hold appropriate cover for basement construction, including CAR/PL/EL and professional indemnity for design (project dependent). Policy details are available on request.

Start Your Basement Construction in Northern England

30+ years delivering engineered basements designed by RIBA architects, chartered engineers and CSSW waterproofing specialists.

Fully insured with CAR/PL/EL & PI, and compliant with BS 8102:2022 and BS 5975-1:2024.

We deliver high-end new-build and retro-fit basements across Cheshire, Yorkshire, Newcastle and the Lake District — managing design, temporary works, waterproofing and construction in-house for a seamless shell & core build.

Request a Consultation Call 0784 135 2195

Where we work

We deliver basement construction across Northern England, including:

Cheshire: Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Prestbury, Knutsford • South Manchester: Hale, Bowdon, Altrincham • Merseyside: Formby, Blundellsands • Yorkshire: Harrogate, Ilkley, North Leeds, York villages • North East: Jesmond, Gosforth, Ponteland, Darras Hall, Durham & Wynyard • Cumbria: Windermere, Ambleside, Penrith and the South Lakes.

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