A new retirement living project in Hexham has become the first in the country for the UK's leading sector manager and developer to pilot offsite construction using an advanced light steel framing system.
Hewson Court on Dene Avenue is a new flagship retirement community from McCarthy Stone, designed to be located close to a number of local amenities, such as the bus station, shops and Hexham General Hospital. The properties are tailor-made for the over 60s, presenting homeowners with an opportunity to downsize and live in a community of likeminded people.
The high specification contemporary retirement homes are being created using eco-friendly modern methods of construction – a first for the developer McCarthy Stone. Selected apartments feature Juliet balconies and private patios, and the landscaped gardens will be maintained all-year round. Hewson Court will be offering apartments for purchase outright as well as a range of flexible solutions including rental and part-buy part-rent options. McCarthy Stone worked in partnership with specialist Leeds-based company Sigmat to pilot the new housebuilding technique that uses an innovative light steel frame system.
The Construction Minister (at the time) Anne-Marie Trevelyan visited Hewson Court whilst in development. During her visit the Minister took a tour of the innovative project which has a gross development value of £11.1million. She was able to see how modern methods of construction (MMC) is helping to fast-track the delivery of high-quality housing for the UK's increasingly ageing population which despite the demand is currently undersupplied.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan commented: "Innovation from McCarthy Stone is paving the way for the construction industry to build back greener and safer. The development of cleaner cheaper construction methods is critical for the sector's drive towards net zero and our ambition to deliver high-quality housing that meets the UK's needs."
Delivering 23 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom apartments by embracing advanced construction methods the team at McCarthy Stone were able to reduce the build time by two-weeks per floor. Light steel framing systems provide a more sustainable method of construction to fast-track the delivery of much needed high-quality housing for the retirement community.
One of the many benefits of light steel frame is it can be fabricated and assembled offsite in Sigmat's Leeds manufacturing facility, improving efficiency and productivity. It has also been shown to improve energy efficiency vastly reducing in-use energy costs when compared to traditionally constructed UK homes and is also better for the environment as a high proportion of steel is recycled.
"We are delighted to have completed our first project with McCarthy Stone in Hexham, and we anticipate more projects to commence within the following 12 months," Mark Eburne, CEO of Sigmat. "The scheme has demonstrated how light steel framing offers a superior advantage in terms of speed, quality and sustainability. By partnering with McCarthy Stone, we are committed to creating sustainable communities by providing quality superstructures, manufactured offsite for the UK retirement market. Over the 12-week build programme the Sigmat team installed 1,765 linear metres of light steel panels across three floors, 3,510sq m of decking and installed four flights of stairs.
John Tonkiss, Chief Executive at McCarthy Stone, said: "Hexham is the next generation in an increasing portfolio of McCarthy Stone projects to benefit from the use of this form of construction. To have this recognised by the Minister is a really important step, and we were very proud to show off the work of the team here and our partners Sigmat and to be able to discuss with the Minister the many challenges facing the retirement housing sector today.
"At McCarthy Stone we work hard to create homes that older people can live independently and thrive in, and where location and design are key to ensuring each one of our developments are beautiful places to live. We are now committed to trial schemes in all our divisions across the country and we have set ourselves a target for producing 25% of our new developments maximising modern methods of construction. Together we have sown the seed of a more sustainable, efficient and high quality future for McCarthy Stone's communities."
For more information visit: www.sigmat.co.uk & www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk
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