A builder that completes a project ahead of schedule and on budget? A builder that achieves Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) Level 4 with 82% of spend within 40 miles of the site? A builder that achieves a Considerate Constructor of 36 out of 40 compared to the national average of 31?
At Pinfold Lane, Ruskington, Lincolnshire, Robert Woodhead Ltd did all of the above and more. Securing the £472,000 project under the East Midlands Property Alliance Minor Works Framework (EMPA), Robert Woodhead worked in partnership with the client, North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) and the local community to complete the new affordable housing development ahead of schedule and with minimum disruption for neighbours of the site.
Russell Shortland, Design and Maintenance Manager at NKDC highlighted, “The EMPA Framework was chosen because it allowed the council to commence works as quickly as required to attract central government HCA funding. We were delighted with the professional working relationship we had with Robert Woodhead Ltd throughout. They kept us informed at every stage, had practical knowledge of CfSH requirements, received praise from the local community and completed the project a whole month ahead of programme. We feel we got value for money and couldn’t have asked for more.”
Community engagement is always important in ensuring the smooth running of any building site but with neighbours on all sides, Robert Woodhead knew this would be even more crucial. Timber fencing was erected around the entire site to reduce noise and disruption to neighbours. Yet rather than keeping the community out, Robert Woodhead encouraged access. In fact children of a nearby nursery, Ruskington Rascals Nursery visited the site fortnightly ‘to oversee progress on the development’. Pete Winson, Robert Woodhead’s site manager was singled out by the Considerate Constructors Scheme for developing ‘excellent relations’ with neighbours.
NKDC Executive Member with responsibility for housing, Councillor Stewart Ogden, comments, “This is one of the best sites we have dealt with, in terms of both the management of the development phase and the superb finished results. I have no doubt that the tenants will reap the benefits of the care that has been taken in every respect of this project and it has certainly ensured a positive relationship with the wider community.”
For more information, please see our Considerate Constructors video case study or our written case study.