This week on Woodland Court, the double lift shaft which will eventually house two 13 person lifts has been installed.  Sitting some 14 metres above ground level, our sub-contractor supplied and installed the pre-cast concrete core in just five hours!

In the background, the highway retaining walls are well under construction, and should be totally complete within two weeks. 

Woodland court have embraced Wates latest safety initative "Blue Helmets". 

The initative enables Wates to confirm that all our contractors supervisors are competent by means of a one to one interview.  If they are successful, they are issued with the distinctive Blue Helmet to wear that identifies them from other operatives. 

Woodland Court Car Parking

We have now completed the main drainage connections on School Lane, and have requested our contractors park on School Lane until the proposed gas connection, which is due on the 27th February.  We have the new entrance to form, and YEDL have some diversionary work to do in School Lane before we can start using our on site car parking.

 

Our permanent welfare set up is due on the 28th-29th February, which should also create some extra on site parking off Staincliffe Road.

 

Our aim is to be a considerate contractor, and we will promote this wherever possible during the construction phase of Woodland Court.

The Woodland Court team played host to Councillor David Sheard (Cabinet member for Regeneration & Housing), Joanne Jamieson (Managing Director Wates East) and Liz Jefferson (Principal Project Manager for Kirklees Council) for the ceremonial sod cutting earlier this week.

Its been a busy week here at Woodland Court.  Work is well underway with the ground works, and this week saw the first sheet piles put in place ready for the first highway retaining wall to be constructed.

The weather on site this week has been very cold, with temperatures dropping to minus 4 degrees at night!!!!!  But that hasn't stopped the lads on site from getting their jobs done, and allthough at the moment the site at Woodland Court looks like one big muddy field, its starting to take shape - so watch this space!!!

Introducing our 'Trainee of the Year'

At the Wates annual regional review held at Oulton Hall last Friday, local lad Robert Frost from Huddersfield scooped the Wates Living Space Trainee of the year accolade.

Rob has been with Wates for only 12 months, but in this time has made a superb contribution to the Kirklees Excellent Homes for Life scheme.  He recently completed his degree in Building Studies, procured and managed our local community day in Dewsbury Moor with over 60 attendees, and became an integral part of the Wates team.

 

Looking good Rob !

Rob was presented with his Certificate and bottle of Champagne by our Regional Director who thanked him for his enthusiasm and commitment over the last 12 months.

Rob is extremely proud of his award and has set his sights on retaining the mantle for 2012 with the support and guidance of the Woodland Court team.

Woodland Court goes green...

As part of Wates' Green Policy we have procured our temporary cabin set up, and have specified items such as the following to reduce our carbon foot print and energy use:

• TRV's and timers on heaters to reduce our energy usage
• Push taps in the toilets and canteen to reduce water usage and waste water
• PIR's to all lighting in the cabins, so lights are switched off when there's no movement - saving energy
• Low capacity cisterns to reduce water usage
• Secondary door and door closers to the cabin doors to prevent heat loss and energy wastage
• Protection has been erected around the trees on site to prevent any accidental damage, and our bird and bat boxes have been ordered for that area
• The stone under the temporary compound area has also been sourced locally, and is totally recycled
• Our Assistant Surveyor and Production Trainee are car sharing and promoting this initiative on site, they're also tracking their reduction in C02 emissions
• Public Transport is promoted and displayed in the canteen to encourage use
• Local suppliers and contractors have been sourced to help reduce our carbon footprint
• A Habitat Hotel is to be constructed over the next two weeks, to provide temporary homes whilst construction works are ongoing.

Keep a watch on our blog for further Green commitments by our team!