Waterbridge Mews Castlefields, Runcorn

This Cruden Construction project is an award winning, partnering, mixed tenure development for CDS Housing, providing 58 affordable homes built using a ‘modern method of construction’.

Waterbridge Mews is a perception changing, landmark development, the first ever shared ownership scheme in the Borough of Halton. Part of the multi million pound Castlefields regeneration programme, Waterbridge Mews provides a stylish ‘Gateway’ development to the regenerated Castlefields Estate.

Continuous flight auger piles and reinforced concrete ground beams provide the foundations for the superstructure which comprised a ‘Space 4’ closed timber frame. By using MMC methods, the closed, timber framed panelled units went from ground floor slab to panels in place in just twelve weeks - half the time of a similar traditional build. The site was dry in a further nine weeks - 75% of the usual time.

The wall panels and floor cassettes were delivered to site with windows and doors already fitted in the factory. Packaged as house types, the panels were ‘zipped’ together on site and finished in facing brickwork, with render and cedar boarding alongside aspects of double height glazing.

The development’s three-storey townhouses were topped with an unusual, low-pitch, single-ply membrane roof, normally only used on prestige commercial developments. Internally the 2 bed apartments and 3 bed houses feature gas fired central heating from modern and energy efficient condensing boilers, fully fitted ‘Rixonway’ kitchens, fully fitted ‘ROCA Laura’ bathroom suites - incorporating low flush toilets and low energy lighting.

The benefits of MMC were evidenced in many ways. Not only was ‘Site 16’ accident free, it was dryer and cleaner for the labour force to work on. There were also benefits for local residents too, 25% fewer deliveries and 50% fewer movements of site vehicles. Noise levels were also 50% less than a traditional build. Building waste was down by 60% and all of the timber used together with 85% of other materials were from sustainable sources. The development received a rating of ‘GOOD’ in the BRE Ecohomes accreditation scheme.

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