Care Home Construction, Sheffield

The build challenges were many and included poor ground substrate conditions, a steeply sloping site, a new basement and, varied level requirements and an imposed and restricted head height for planning purposes. The build was made further difficult as the approved layout meant the scheme had minimal access for the build, particularly to the rear. The varied trees and landscaping and the location and close proximity of the local residential buildings worsened this.

As the project was within a residential area any disruption to the local area and businesses needed minimal. The site was not large enough for trade vehicles to park during the building process, and the surrounding area could not be affected. 

The project started when Covid-19 was still a thing, and the construction industry was starting to ‘bounce back’. A cautious approach to the building progress and programme, considering the potential skills shortages, had to be considered as part of the challenge.

Safety was and remains always our first priority for staff, customers and the general public. 

As a progressive design and build contractor, Pacy & Wheatley overcame all the challenges of the scheme by ensuring the whole team, including stakeholders, end users, designers and our in-house experts, managed any detailing and dealt with the build issues head-on. The building design incorporated a piled ground improvement solution along with many varied types of retaining wall structures to cut and form the varying plateaus and stepped levels required to form the basement laundry, commercial kitchen, Laundry and maintenance areas along with the varied building levels and external terraces and roof terraces forming communal spaces for residents and staff. 

The roof was designed as flat and formed in modern timber trusses at close centres to achieve the required open space planning below. We also had to ensure the mechanical and electrical services could be built in and coordinated to suit the close proximity of the trusses. This was a long procedure that tested us, but the solution worked. 

The finish was a Green Roof to meet and assist with our sustainable objectives, and a VERY GOOD BREEAM rating was achieved on the scheme. This included designing the build to high energy efficiency, the provision of high-efficiency designs and fittings with BMS controls, air tightness compliance, bird and bat boxes, and car charger points, amongst others, incorporated.

During the works, the build process had to be exactly followed, working out from the tightest corners and working down the slope of the site. If a problem was encountered, it had to be dealt with, and decisions had to be made to minimise costs and facilitate progress on site on what was a tight completion programme. We had very limited access. A temporary rock and anchor retaining sheet solution was applied, and the trees were pruned as regularly as practical.

To minimise site parking and make sure potential traffic congestion on the main road and surrounding streets were kept to a minimum, we worked closely with the local neighbourhood residents committee and utilised a few car park spaces in the local driving range facility by agreement. In addition, all subcontract and supply chain partners were requested that no site deliveries be made prior to 8 am so as not to disturb the local community. 

Coordinating with the local residents and planners ensured that some minor changes to the landscape design were made to ensure that the local residents were satisfied with their outlooks on the boundaries of the new care home. We also registered the site with Considerate Contractors. 

Six months prior to completing the project, we completed a Marketing Suite for Home, which included three ensuite bedrooms and a communal area, for potential sales and marketing of the completed home to commence. Obviously, this added to the complexities of completing the overall scheme, but we ensured correct segregation and that health and safety remained a priority, with no accidents and regular staff and visitors remaining safe and secure at all times.

During the project, we lost a few ‘key’ subcontractors that were delivering some of our main packages on site due to the market and trading conditions /resources and had some further delivery issues due to Covid Bounce back and availability of goods and services throughout the construction industry at the time. This meant that P&W had to source alternative sub-contractors and Labour, as well as specialist materials, both timely and independently, to ensure the completion of the scheme. 

A tough, large and complex scheme to build at the time, but what an outcome and amazing-looking building the P&W team has produced again. A great addition to the local landscape and community services and a great welcoming home now called ‘Outram Fields’. We feel that this scheme is worthy of 5-star service and 5-star quality.