Project Description
This healthcare project, for repeat client Minster Care Group in Ely, Cambridgeshire, consisted of constructing a detached new build timber frame 21-bed Care Home with a covered walkway across to the existing home and the demolition of unused buildings and a summer house along one side of the land. The works also involved external alterations; including an additional staff car park and new fencing around the perimeter of the Home, as well as substantive hard and soft landscaping and a water feature.
- Client: Minster Care Group
- Sector: Private Healthcare
- Type: Design & Build
- Procurement Method: Competitive Tender
- Location: Littleport Grange, Ely
- Project Value: c £2,000,000
The Challenge
Initial challenges that the project has faced from the outset are as follows;
The Home remained open the for entirety of our works. The utmost care and consideration was illustrated from our site team to ensure minimal disruption is caused to the service provided by the Care Home.
The Site’s entrance driveway was relatively narrow with little room to manoeuvre. This means that restrictions will reflect upon which delivery wagons could be accepted and a just in time philosophy approach was adopted.
Tree protection and the protection of existing historic air raid shelters was also required, which added to the tightness of the site and buildability of the scheme considerations.
The Solution
In order to minimise the potential disruption to the live Home, our Site Manager held daily informal discussions on planned works with the Home’s on-site team. Any large deliveries or crane dates were discussed well in advance, to allow a collaborative approach.
All building works were planned and coordinated to meet and exceed the employer’s expectations.
As part of our commitment to the considerate constructor’s scheme, we visited the local school and held an informative assembly with the scheme’s mascot. Whilst entertaining for the primary school students, this gave teachers and parents an insight and involvement in the project.
