From foundations to rooftops – Newport retirement village reaches major milestone
Diary entry four: September 2025
Less than a year ago, work began below ground at Palisade Close in Newport. Now the £20 million retirement community has reached a major construction milestone.
The transformation from earthworks to near-complete structures has been rapid. In just nine months since McPhillips broke ground, the site has evolved from foundation excavations to buildings that are now reaching their full height.
Contracts manager Carl Ayling said: “The progress on this project has been extraordinary. Just a few weeks ago the site was very much still at ground level but now we’re nearing completion on the bungalows and we are about to add the final floor to the apartments.
“The use of Modern Methods of Construction has delivered exactly what was promised. The pre-manufactured panels from our partners at Remagin in Leeds have enabled the team to work at pace whilst maintaining the highest standards of workmanship.”
Project manager Darren Lewis added: “Having two cranes on site has been crucial for maintaining our momentum. One is being used on apartment block A whilst the other for work on the three-storey block C and external works. It’s like choreographed construction.
“The site’s transformation from drawings to reality in such a short space of time showcases exactly why Modern Methods of Construction are revolutionising how we build communities for the future.”
As October approaches, external work on the bungalows will commence, with the team now moving inside to begin plastering. Meanwhile, significant progress continues on the 61 apartments, with flooring panels and insulation being installed throughout.
Recent weeks have seen multiple trades working simultaneously across the site. Bricklayers, electricians, carpenters, plumbers and plasterers have all been contributing to keeping the project on schedule for the summer 2026 handover.
But it’s not just about the buildings. The team has been creating the infrastructure for what will become a haven for wildlife, with areas designated for bees and butterflies and a new pond that will provide peaceful spaces for future residents to enjoy.
The development continues to demonstrate the benefits of local construction expertise with around 60-70 per cent of the workforce living within 15 miles of Newport.
Darren added: “This project really showcases the McPhillips ethos of local people building for local communities and we’re really proud of that.”
As the project progresses through the final months of 2025, the focus will shift increasingly to the internal fit-out and external landscaping.
Once completed and handed over to Untold Living next summer, Sundew Court will provide much-needed flexible and supportive living for Newport’s retirees, allowing older residents to remain within their community while enjoying purpose-built, manageable homes.
You can continue following our progress on the dedicated Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NewportRetirementCommunity
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