The accommodation is arranged in the format of flats, with four bedrooms sharing kitchen and living areas.

Accommodation blocks were constructed using CFA piled foundations and metsec pre-formed panels with rigid insulation and a brickwork outer skin. Metsec was selected after we undertook an analysis of its benefits vs a concrete frame. The analysis identified that a metsec frame would deliver cost savings of £450,000, time savings of 8 weeks, and environmental benefits due to minimisation of site waste and construction traffic.

The works were completed on a live hospital site. We liaised closely with the client to ensure that our activities were undertaken as sympathetically as possible, especially as the site was located next to a mental health ward which necessitated strict controls of noisy works. We also minimised the disruption caused by the installation of drainage connections through the main hospital car park by carefully phasing and fencing off the works to preserve as many visitor parking spaces as possible, whilst ensuring that health and safety was protected at all times.

“Over the course of this challenging project, several detailed construction activities had to be planned well in advance with the Trust Project Managers to ensure that the impact of the works were minimised […]
The works were planned and programmed well in advance with the Barnes Senior Site Manager working closely with the Trust Project Managers. The risks were assessed on a daily basis, and Barnes were flexible enough to alternate plans at short notice […]
Barnes worked with the Trust to plan deliveries at times to avoid peak traffic congestion and provide risk assessments and method statements for a fast reaction to clear the road if vehicles broke down and blocked the access.
I have no problem recommending Barnes as reliable and professional construction contractors to work on sites of enhanced sensitivities.”
Jason McCormack, Estates and Facilities Capital Projects Manager, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.