GEOTEC Case Study Background
Dauxwood Preschool in Billingshurst are raising money for a new perimeter fence to run around their existing site boundary.
As part of this process, they have already received permission from Billingshurst Parish Council and are currently taking part in the blue token scheme with Tesco, for some grant funding.
The preschool plan on replacing the wooden fence which is currently in situ, with a metal one.
The existing wooden fence is at the stage where it is in need of ongoing maintenance and repair. This is taking resources away from other projects which may directly support the children who currently attend the preschool, and for those children who may attend the school in the future.
The Tesco blue token scheme allows shoppers to vote for their favourite charity project and the winning charity receives £1,500 to go towards their project.
Dauxwood preschool
The preschool has been in operation since 1971 and has been a community staple in Billingshurst for generations of families.
The preschool feels that in order to future proof the fence line that a new metal fence, which requires less maintenance and has a much longer lifespan is the most sensible way forward.
This would also allow them to increase the security of the gate into site by having an automated option, which can be unlocked using a buzzer, similar to that at Billingshurst Primary Academy, which is important in safeguarding & protecting the children whilst they are on site.
As part of this progression, GEOTEC Surveys Ltd were approached by the Dauxwood Preschool Committee to complete an Underground Utility Mapping, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Topographical Survey of the site.
There were concerns in relation to the position of any gas services onsite, as a marker is present directly adjacent to the existing fenceline, the building itself is not sourced by gas.
Operations
A 3-person survey team attended the site on Monday, 12th January 2026, to complete the survey, which related to the adjacent footpath and strip inside the existing fenceline.
Survey Area (Green Line)
Our GEOTEC survey team and the preschool management staff worked together to establish suitable periods when the children could go out and play. The site can be sectioned off using a series of internal fences and gates, allowing the survey team to complete their work away from the preschoolers in the top play area.
From the various manholes, inspection chambers, valves and the above mentioned marker, we were able to trace a number of services through radio frequency detection (EML).
Our surveyors were also able to gain access inside the building so that they could establish incoming service points and the location of the toilets and associated drainage.
The team also surveyed the site thoroughly using a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system to confirm known findings and identify unknown targets which may have related to uncharted drainage, plastic gas and plastic water services.
Results
Our lead surveyor and CAD technician overlaid our survey results onto the Topographical Survey completed by GEOTEC, onsite, which also used OS background to provide context.
The survey was able to identify an electricity cable entering the site, as well as a metallic target from the gas marker and the incoming water.
Drainage services were also detected, snaking around the building and a number of ground penetrating radar (GPR) targets were identified, which may relate to incoming / outgoing drainage.
We also mapped the overhead services which run above the survey area and enter the building.
Overview of GEOTEC Survey Results
The Committee met and reviewed the survey results, which shall be passed to the contractor carrying out the fence installation works to assist them in their planning and meeting health & safety procedures.
We would expect any fencing contractor or other groundworker excavating the ground to complete their own checks and complete a CAT & Genny scan themselves, before breaking ground.
+44 (0)1428 686 168
enq@geotecsurveys.com
