30 RETIREMENT LIVING PROJECT REPORT


projects, the team faced some unexpected challenges when they discovered that ground conditions varied signifi cantly across the site,” explains Walker. “This phase wasn’t as straightforward as we initially anticipated. It resulted in us having to use different foundation solutions for the bungalows and the apartment blocks.”


Despite the complications, McPhillips were fortunate that the winter weather was mostly on their side, allowing them to mae swift progress and ultimately fi nish this element ahead of schedule, meaning work could begin on the foundations in early 2025.


THE BUNGALOWS APPEAL TO A DIFFERENT PURCHASER PROFILE, TYPICALLY HOMEOWNERS DOWNSIZING BUT STILL SEEKING GENEROUS INTERNAL SPACE AND PRIVACY


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Another aspect that required careful and thoughtful planning was access to the site – which was only possible through an existing housing estate. Walker praises contractor McPhillips’ approach to this, saying it eemplifi es their commitment to considerate construction practices, particularly given the unique challenge of building within an established residential community.”


The team’s usual construction approach has had to be entirely reconsidered in order to minimise their impact on the site. A range of measures have been introduced to ensure potential or unavoidable disruption is minimal, including traffi c marshals to direct vehicles during particularly busy times, and restricting delivery times. They are also continuing to strive to keep the road clean for nearby residents. “This considerate approach


has extended beyond mere compliance, refl ecting chillips’ philosophy that construction should enhance rather than disrupt local communities,” says Walker. The decision by McPhillips and Untold Living’s decision to “embrace modern methods of construction (MMC)” for the project, with their offsite speed and effectiveness benefi ts, was in fact driven by the access challenges. “The challenge presented by the location and access to the site led to the decision,” Walker explains. The results “demonstrate how environmental considerations can lead to innovative solutions that benefi t both the community and the construction process.” The apartments have been constructed using a light gauge steel frame system, with the pre-manufactured steel panels supplied by specialist contractor Remagin from their facility in Leeds. The panels arrived onsite with windows, insulation, cavity trays and brick ties already installed, under “controlled factory conditions,” explains Walker. “The MMC approach delivered dramatic effi ciencies, with the main apartment block structures erected in just 12 weeks – 40% faster than traditional construction methods,” he adds. For the bungalows, McPhillips utilised timber frame, with the roofs built at ground level before being craned into position. “This technique not only speeds up the construction process but signifi cantly improves site health and safety,” Walker says. “Using MMC enables


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