RACECOURSE CRESCENT, SHREWSBURY

Project overview

McPhillips was appointed to resume work on the STAR Housing scheme at Racecourse Crescent in Shrewsbury after the previous contractor went into liquidation, halting construction in February 2024.

The project delivered 13 energy efficient homes comprising six one-bedroom flats and seven two-bedroom houses for rent by the local community, along with external access road and utility connections. The development featured air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging points and permeable road surfacing with solar powered street lighting.

Challenges

The project faced significant challenges following the liquidation of the previous contractor:

Resuming work on a partially completed site

Managing a tight construction area with limited space

Coordinating deliveries and vehicle movements through busy residential area

Maintaining public access to Monkmoor Recreation Ground

Managing local resident concerns following previous project delays

Tight timeline to complete the development

Solutions 

A close working partnership between the client, consultants the Derek Evans Partnership and the McPhillips team enabled quick solutions to be found and implemented: 

Renting additional space on the adjacent Shrewsbury Town Council car park for accommodation and materials storage

Creating a secure hoarded site with controlled access

Full-time banksman controlling traffic on the Monkmoor Recreation Ground access road

Comprehensive stakeholder engagement and management plan targeting  local residents and recreation ground users

Regular communication with local residents through multiple channels

Careful scheduling of deliveries to avoid peak times

Result 

Early engagement by McPhillips helped STAR Housing to get this important affordable housing project back on track: 

A tailored solution that met the client’s requirements

Built to local building regulation standards

Infrastructure created to appropriate standards

Considered designs well received by local community

Project back on track after previous delays

“Getting the Racecourse Crescent development back on track was really important for Shrewsbury. Our experience in building affordable homes meant we had a track record in delivering projects like this. The McPhillips team was absolutely committed to building these homes to the highest quality, with our sights firmly set on the finishing line.”
Stuart MacKenzie, McPhillips Contracts Director 

Testimonials

“We understand the challenges and disruptions our community has faced due to the delays. We appreciate the patience and support of our customers and stakeholders. With construction now in full swing, we are looking forward to delivering these much-needed homes and enhancing the local area.” 
Harpreet Rayet, Managing Director, STAR Housing

“This project has been by far the easiest of the completion projects I’ve worked on thanks to collaboration. Regular site meetings with a joint problem-solving approach, strong site manager leadership and an integrated team structure all contributed to the project being delivered on time and on budget despite the complexity of inherited incomplete construction.”
Mark Feeney, Senior Development Manager, STAR Housing

Testimonials

"The site manager and assistant site manger did a fantastic job on the scheme, they were friendly, reliable, professional and their experience on managing the subcontract labour and technical ability was second to none."

Ian Lowe, BIT Group

"McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd undertook the construction of a recent public realm scheme in Shrewsbury, they provided traffic and pedestrian management to manage the construction of the scheme in a busy urban area, with high pedestrian footfall. All civils and re-paving works were completed to a high standard and in a tidy, productive and efficient manner. They were able to engage with Shrewsbury BID to aid in the planning of events, as well as liaising with local businesses and shops to minimise impact. They worked effectively and efficiently to complete works to the accepted programme and administered the contract well using web based management systems. There were good working relationships between all parties, and their on-site management of personnel was excellent."

Scott Hughes, WSP

"McPhillips were good to work with and they were always keen to resolve any issues or complications which obviously occur on such a large and complex project, probably the biggest S278 Worcestershire has ever dealt with."

Sally Everest, Worcestershire County Council

"Having been the first time we have used McPhillips as a main contractor we have been impressed at the ease at which we have developed a good working relationship to enable the project to be maintained to timeline and budget incorporating both additional work items and some more unusual occurrences on-site."

Richard Allen, London & Cambridge Properties

"We will most certainly use McPhillips again and we will have no hesitation in recommending you to other schools and colleges."

Sheena Hodgson, The Westwood Academy

"The site delivery team were extremely helpful. The site was clearly always orderly, fully resourced and well managed throughout. The workmanship was of the highest quality and the project was delivered on-time and within budget providing The Wrekin Housing Trust with a facility of which we are justifiably proud. Overall WHT is more than happy with McPhillips’ performance on Oakwood and wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again in the future."

Karen Lloyd, The Wrekin Housing Trust

"I will have no hesitation in employing McPhillips on other projects and therefore look forward to working with you again; it was a pleasure working with you and your team, demonstrating a positive approach throughout the project."

Mike Steele, Birmingham City Council

"The quality of the work provided is always of a high standard and every effort is made to accommodate the needs of businesses and residents impacted by the work. With regard to project management, I found the management team and site staff to be amenable at all times. I would highly recommend McPhillips to be considered for any highway regeneration projects or similar works."

Steve Hollins, Telford & Wrekin Council

"McPhillips carried out work for Adams’ Grammar School between May and September 2013. They did so under some stringent conditions imposed by the school and performed admirably to meet significant deadlines. Their work on site was also very impressive; their site manager was most professional and worked seamlessly with our own employee when there needed to be alterations/modifications. They worked very easily around children and kept an appropriate distance from our own work. When it came closer to the deadlines they produced work at an impressive speed in order that we were able to open on time. We will certainly use them again."

Michael Barrett, Adams' Grammar School

"I can truly say that I could not wish to have worked in conjunction with a more impressive and agreeable contractor than McPhillips. Many thanks for the experience."

Peter Oughton, Dogs Trust

"We’re delighted with the work carried out by McPhillips. Thanks to their excellent building and civil engineering experience and skills we’ve been able to create an enriched environment for our dogs."

Clarissa Baldwin OBE, Dogs Trust

"We have no hesitation recommending McPhillips and look forward to the opportunity of working with them in the future."

Pam Edwards, The Wrekin Housing Trust

"McPhillips and their team were professional and efficient from tender stage through to contract completion, with a can do attitude that brought the scheme in on time and on budget within tight constraints."

Bob Nicholson, Pochin Developments

"Everyone has commented favourably on the quality of workmanship and the professional, courteous and organised approach of the men involved. As a consequence, the work was completed to a very high standard, in a very short time with the minimum of noise and disruption to residents."

Diane Peacock, Pengrove Residents Association

"McPhillips performed extremely well with a high quality of workmanship and a professional approach in dealing with the public and businesses in a very busy part of the town. I can confidently recommend McPhillips as a competent and professional contractor and since this scheme, I have worked with them on various projects and would be pleased to work with them again in the future."

Karl Farrow, Cheshire West & Chester Council

"I would have no hesitation in recommending McPhillips."

Paul Harris, Shropshire Council

"The team from McPhillips remained positive and proactive throughout, working with the Council's team to find solutions and deliver an enabled site which was fit for purpose. Their can-do attitude and pragmatic approach has been essential in delivering a successful project for the Council."

Kate Turner, Telford and Wrekin Council

"McPhillips has an excellent understanding of the client's needs and works collaboratively to achieve a quality product."

Peter Parker, Birmingham City Council

“Choosing the right construction partner for our development was crucial. McPhillips proved to be the perfect choice, demonstrating exceptional expertise in delivering precisely what our operation needed. As a Telford-based business ourselves, it was particularly satisfying to work with a local construction partner who understood our needs and delivered such high-quality results. The new facility has significantly enhanced our operational capabilities, and McPhillips’ professional approach made the entire process smooth and efficient."

Robin Dale, Dale Brothers

RACECOURSE CRESCENT, SHREWSBURY

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