Rollalong and Merit have begun construction on modular and offsite projects in the North and South of England; a housing development for homeless single parents in Surrey and a £35 million hospital in Berwick
Work has begun on a modular housing development for homeless single parents and young people in Redhill, Surrey.
Rollalong, the largest offsite modular build contractor in the south of England, is using modern methods of construction to provide eight low-carbon one-bedroom flats for supported housing association Transform Housing & Support.
Mitchell Court, named after Transform’s former Chief Executive Paul Mitchell, will house homeless single parents and young people with support needs.
The new building is being manufactured in modules at Rollalong’s factory in Dorset before being installed on site.
Nigel Allen, sales manager at Rollalong, said: “One of the advantages of modular offsite construction is that it’s considerably faster to build a modular building than it is to build using traditional methods,” he explained. “The modules themselves are scheduled to be installed next month and we expect this to be completed within just three days.”
Transform Chair Mark Austen said he was impressed by the new building’s sustainable, low-carbon credentials, which include an EPC A rating, all-electric flats, an innovative fire suppression misting system which limits water damage, and solar panels installed on the roof.
“We are breaking new ground as this is Transform’s first ever modular construction with these flats being built offsite and then lifted in,” he said.
Transform’s Head of Housing and Support Natalie Murphy said that as well as the flats being energy-efficient – which would help clients manage their living costs – they would provide good-sized homes.
“They will meet the Government’s recommended space standards which is important because we are very conscious of the significant impact a spacious, well designed home can have on people’s wellbeing – as we saw during the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.
“For the young people and lone parents who will live in Mitchell Court, this environment will make such a positive contribution to empowering them to change their lives, so they are happier, healthier and more independent.”
The development has the support of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council alongside a grant from Homes England. In addition, funding from the Wolfson Foundation (£50,000) and the Peter Harrison Foundation (£23,000) has also been secured for the scheme.
“We are so grateful for all the support we’ve received for Mitchell Court, without which we could not have made this project happen,” Mr Austen added.
Transform has appointed consultants Playle & Partners LLP to assist with procurement and project management of the scheme.
Mitchell Court is scheduled to be completed later this year with the aim of clients occupying the flats by the autumn.
Merit begins offsite construction for new Berwick Hospital
Merit began constructing Berwick’s new £35 million hospital this week after being appointed by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
A large part of the construction is taking place offsite at Merit’s factory in Cramlington
Merit will manufacture 650 pre-assembled modules (PAMs), weighing around 195 tonnes in total, and 17 UltraPODs® weighing around 300 tonnes.
The PODs will house all mechanical, electrical and plumbing services. This will include power, lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and fire alarm systems. The PAMS, which will sit underneath the PODs in the ceiling framework, will act as the distribution network for the services into the hospital building.
Merit’s use of offsite cutting-edge technology ensures a much faster rate, with significantly less disruption to the local area, as well as high-quality prefabricated designs and building techniques.
Merit’s CEO, Tony Wells, said: “We have been working closely with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management (NHFM) to develop a design that is zero carbon emissions, has built in infection control and is technically enabled for the future of health care. This is 21st century construction in action. It is always exciting to reach important milestones in a project of this size and scale, and this is certainly one of them.”
Mark Brough, Merit Health’s project manager, added: “A very special part of the project will be when the PAMs and PODs are transported to site. It is quite a spectacle to see! I feel privileged to work on something which is so important for the local communities of Berwick.”
The infirmary is no longer suitable for the delivery of modern-day healthcare
Originally built in 1874, the current infirmary is no longer suitable for the efficient delivery of modern-day healthcare. The new purpose-built hospital will re-provide all the existing services to deliver care closer to people’s homes, and house GP practice Well Close Medical Group.
Once the main build is complete, demolition of the remaining old hospital buildings, with exception of the clock tower, will be carried out. The car park and access roads will be built, and landscaping work completed.
Marion Dickson, Northumbria Healthcare’s executive director and project lead, said: “Our new hospital will not only provide top quality healthcare well into the future, but will also provide a much-improved environment for our staff and patients, enable additional services to be provided and also support staff recruitment and retention. It will be something that Berwick and indeed Northumberland and the North East can be very proud of!”
The new hospital aims to complete by the end of 2024.
