Factory visit kicks off exciting summer of progress at Newport retirement village
Diary Entry three: July 2025
July kicked off with a behind-the-scenes factory visit for the team delivering Newport’s innovative £20 million retirement community, as the project enters a transformative phase of construction.
Representatives from McPhillips, Gaunt Francis Architects and Total Project Integration travelled to the Remagin factory in Leeds to witness first-hand the manufacturing of steel frames and panels that will form the backbone of the development at Palisade Close.
The factory tour provided valuable insights into the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) being used to create the pre-manufactured components, which have been arriving on-site throughout the month.
McPhillips contracts manager Carl Ayling said: “It was brilliant to see these components taking shape. The panels started arriving on site in July, marking the beginning of a rapid transformation of the development.”
Significant on-site activity has involved a team of six specialists from Remagin working alongside the McPhillips team. Together, they have been craning the panels into position, with the main apartment block structures set to be completed in just 12 weeks – 40 per cent faster than traditional building methods.
“August and September will be incredibly exciting months for this project,” added project manager Darren Lewis.
“Visitors passing the site will notice dramatic changes week by week as the buildings take shape. This method means we can build quicker while keeping disruption for local residents to a minimum.”
The Newport development, which began construction in October 2024, will create 61 apartments and 15 bungalows for older residents, along with an on-site bistro and integrated care facilities.
The project represents a significant step forward in addressing the critical shortage of later living accommodation, with the UK currently facing a projected shortfall of one million senior living homes by 2040.
Once completed in summer 2026, the retirement village will be named Sundew Court and handed over to operator Untold Living.
It will provide much-needed flexible and supportive living for retirees in Newport, enabling older residents to remain within their community while enjoying more manageable and supportive living environments.
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