Construction of 16 new build houses in the South Hams, comprising seven shared ownership properties, eight rented houses and a private dwelling.  Ryearch was appointed to deliver the scheme based on our extensive experience of delivering similar housing projects to a very high standard.  The project was shortlisted for an award at the LABC South West Building Excellence Awards 2018.

This design and build contract required close collaboration with the architect and engineer to ensure the scheme not only fully complied with all the statutory building regulations but also met the standards set by the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Warranty.

Construction: The project was in a sensitive planning area so particular attention was given to the aesthetics and building materials.  The external build specification included:

• Timber frame construction
• Natural slate roof
• Timber windows
• Timber soffits and fascias
• Through colour render finish
• Shed with secure cycle storage facility

Internally, the properties were fitted with:

• Gas combi boilers
• Kitchen, bathroom & WC
• Telephone line

Civil Engineering: Ryearch’s civil engineering team undertook the infrastructure works for this development, including roads, drainage and external lighting.  The highway was constructed to an adoptable standard under a Section 38 Agreement.  It was therefore built under inspection from Devon County Council and subject to a 12-month maintenance period, allowing responsibility for road maintenance to be transferred to them.

The sewerage system was delivered in accordance with a Section 104 Agreement with South West Water.  Street lighting and column and bollard lighting to the parking areas was also installed.  The properties were connected to mains gas, electricity and water supplies.

H&S: Our approach to health and safety on this project was robust with no reportable accidents.  Smoke and fire alarms were fitted in each property in line with current building regulations.

Environment: Aspects to minimise both our impact on the environment during the build and of the carbon footprint of the properties themselves include:

• PV roof panels installed on several units.
• Water butts fitted to all properties.
• Highly insulated walls using a closed panel system; the timber frames came to site in prefabricated modules which are insulated and attached with a waterproof membrane.  The property achieved a u value of 0.19W/M2K.

• Shrubs and trees planted – implementation of a landscaping design scheme was one of the planning conditions.
• All on-site recycling targets met.

Ecology: Ryearch undertook several measures to protect existing habitats.  This included translocating the existing hedgerow by c20 metres to achieve the required visibility onto the main road.  We had to ensure that this work was done outside of the bird nesting season, and appointed an ecologist on a ‘watching brief’ to check foliage and undergrowth accordingly.

Other environmental mitigation works included installing around eight bat boxes, eight bird boxes and three vegetation piles to encourage the local wildlife.

Quality: The development was built to LABC warranty, covering all properties against defects for 12 years.  A LABC Inspector conducted regular checks of the scheme, to ensure it was being completed in line with their requirements.  The development was subsequently signed off by LABC as well as Building Control.

Ryearch produced a Home User Guide for each property which contained:

• H&S information
• Operation and maintenance manuals
• Local information (recycling, community groups etc)

Community: Ryearch wrote to the local community, providing contact details should any local residents have any queries about the project.  The street name was agreed by the local parish council, who had a preference for Peters’ Field – the name of the original landowner of this brownfield site.

Outcome: The scheme was successfully delivered to the client’s satisfaction, and was an Award Finalist for regional construction awards in 2018.