Wrexham County Borough Council - Building Control

North Wales Building Excellence Awards 2011

Category Winners

Best Small Developer

S G Estates

Maes y Llan Lane
Ruabon
Wrexham 

     

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This development comprised of seventeen new two and three bedroom properties and one apartment. The location of the site is situated in a semi rural area relatively close to the small village of Ruabon. The developer has maximised the site layout design on the land available for these dwellings and has achieved a great site layout deceptive in terms of space.

Extremely conscientious site management enabled the project to achieve a high standard of workmanship throughout. The developer ensured an effective health and safety approach that was consistent throughout the project, which has helped achieve recognition in terms of storage of materials, tidiness of site and the high standard of quality workmanship. The site manager was always keen to find solutions to any problems encountered and the site was always ready for inspection. The site manager always gave more than the required notice for inspection visits.

Such is this developer's commitment to excellence, a planned refurbishment of  existing poor quality barns was changed to new housing to provide better quality living accommodation on the site. This involved additional planning consents, professional fees and building control consent. We are proud to have been associated with this developers latest project and we wish the company every success and look forward to working together in the future.

Best Volume Housing

Redrow Homes

Pentre Bach
Ruthin Road
Wrexham

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The scheme was the latest phase from a renowned national house builder comprised of a mixed residential development providing a mixture of dwellings and apartments in various styles including town houses and detached accommodation. The development is sympathetically designed on a green field site opposite a previous award winning site.

Extremely conscientious site management throughout the development achieved impressive scoring for the effectiveness of the health and safety of staff and visitors, tidiness of site and storage of materials. The Site Manager's organisational skills and relationship with sub-contractors were such that more than adequate notice for inspections was given. Site record inspection books were used consistently throughout the project.

The developer specialises in new build has excelled in setting such high standards for others to follow. We are proud to have been associated with this development and we wish the company every success and look forward to working together in the future.

Best Social Housing/Affordable Housing Project

Heol Glyndwr
Coedpoeth
Wrexham

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A residential development that comprised of 6 number 3 bedroom 2 storey dwellings that have been constructed with a timber frame approach and external brick cladding with tile roof finish.

The dwellings have been built for a local housing association and access internally and externally has been given great consideration for building users.

The developer has achieved an excellent air pressure test and sound testing results demonstrating excellent standards of construction.

On site the developer maintained a high standard of workmanship to meet a Code 3 Sustainable housing standard as required by the Welsh Assembly government and Planning policy.

Health and safety on site was to an excellent standard and site house keeping well maintained throughout the project. The contractor demonstrated excellent team working with building control and maintained a site record book to completion.

Best Sustainable Project (Housing)

Wren’s Park Bronington
Wrexham

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Sustainability was high on the agenda when the applicant first envisaged a new dwelling. A code 4 house was agreed to be attainable after initial discussions with the design team, the applicant and Building control. This was achieved by using renewable technologies such as a ground source heat pump, solar panels and full dwelling mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. Excellent solar controls were incorporated into the design also. The walls were constructed using the 'beco block' system. Hollow polystyrene blocks were filled with reinforced concrete.

External insulation boards were then fitted and a two coat render applied. The inside face of the walls were then drylined to give a staggering U value of 0.14 w/m2k. The triple glazed windows imported from Sweden also achieved a very respectable U value of 0.81 w/m2k.

As the applicant was keen to consider the environmental impact of materials, a concrete breaker was brought to site to recycle existing materials for the sub-base of the floor slabs. The consulting structural engineer confirmed the suitability of this material to ensure the structural integrity of the ground bearing slabs was not comprised for the sake of sustainability.

The dwelling itself is open plan in layout and spread over 3 floors including a basement and turret style tower offering fabulous views over the open countryside. A swimming pool & triple bay garage complete the contemporary look and feel of the dwelling.

The applicant was known to building control for previous developments of a similar high quality. They further committed their allegiance to LABC by using our new homes warranty scheme. All site inspections were requested on time and the quality of the work on site by the contractor was excellent. A good working relationship developed between building control and the contractor to ensure any problems on site were resolved with minimum problems.

The standard of work was excellent throughout and produced a dwelling which the applicant and contractors are proud of and which we, as a Building control department, were delighted to inspect.

Best Sustainable Project (Commercial)

Glyndwr University, Resource Media Centre
Wrexham

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The New creative industries building has been constructed using latest technology in construction, external walls of mixed use materials, curtain walling, composite cladding panels and feature brickwork cladding.

The roof demonstrates a sustainable approach know as Sedum roof construction with an impressive architectural shape design, also any material that was excavated from site reduced levels and foundations has not been removed from site but used to form landscape areas.

Both the contractor and the Architect worked closely with building control choosing a fire engineered approach to open areas of the building including a designed smoke extraction system.

The use of the building will be Studios for broadcasting purposes, the contractor and architect worked to strict sound requirements with all elements of construction.

The building has achieved an excellent BREEAM rating, and is a fine example of desirable future buildings.

The contractor maintained a site record book on site and health was to an excellent standard.

Excellent team work between the contractor and Architect and building control was consistent throughout the project.

Best Healthcare Building

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This is the latest innovative design and build project to be completed in an on going multi phased expansion programme, the continuing aim of which, is to provide twenty first century facilities at the Hospital for patients, visitors and staff throughout the County and North Wales.

From the outset a development team approach was adopted with a close working relationship between Building Control, the Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board, the Design Team and the Main Contractors. This led to a seamless design and construction process for the entire

project. Site inspections were undertaken at regular intervals with site meetings between the entire development team at strategic stages to enhance and improve progression of the project.

A Fire Engineering Solution together with a Fire management and operational strategy plan was developed between the BCUHB and Building Control,  incorporating the operational needs of the Medics and nursing staff which closely followed the recommendations contained within the Health Technical Guidance Documents.

This innovative and bespoke design was tailored for the specific needs of the patients, providing a pleasant homely environment which gave an air of freedom but with security. The unit was designed around three central secure courtyards, which each contained fully equipped en suite bedrooms and small private lounge areas. Facilities also included a full sized fully equipped sports hall, quiet rooms, craft and hobby rooms and secure but informal cafeteria/meeting areas.

The first floor is accessed via an accommodation staircase and lifts located within the full height atria, with a suspended walkway to the nursing staff offices and consulting rooms.

Best Healthcare Building

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The development comprised of a 2 storey brick clad building with tiled roof traditional built structure.

Choice of materials and design of the building blended in sympathetically with the surrounding buildings.

Centrally within the development is a glazed link corridor that allows great flexibility and excellent circulation within the building.

The building has a sprinkler system installed to meet the latest care home regulations, also a rain water harvesting system has been installed demonstrating a sustainable approach.

The Contractor called building control for site inspections to meet statutory requirements and maintained a site record book on site.

Each bedroom has been designed to accommodate resident's needs with en suite bathrooms and level access throughout.