Four local businesses have been awarded contracts to supply construction materials and services by joint venture partners, Havering Council and Wates Residential as part of the borough’s biggest regeneration project.

This forms part of a pledge to boost the local economy and cut carbon emissions by spending a minimum of 20 per cent of the total programme value with local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), valued at £100m of contracts to be secured by local businesses.

Napier and New Plymouth House, in Rainham, is the first site to begin construction as part of the ‘12 estates’ regeneration programme. It will see 197 affordable new homes built as part of a wider programme to deliver 3,500 high quality homes for local people over the next 12 to 15 years.

Essex Services Group, headquartered in Romford, has been awarded a £7.5m contract to deliver the complete mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services package across the scheme. This will include the installation of sprinklers, fire detection and smoke control systems, heat recovery and ventilation, security, lighting and water treatment.

The Group also plans to use its Essex-based off-site manufacturing facility to build prefabricated modules for the development, including corridor and heating interface units. This will reduce construction waste and deliveries to site by 20%, minimising disruption to local residents and cutting carbon emissions.

Essex Services Group has committed to supporting Havering Council and Wates Residential’s pledge to ensure the 12 estates regeneration brings investment to the local area including the creation of employment, education and training opportunities for local people.

This will include continuing to support long-term partner, Havering College with construction skills workshops and site visits for students, employing four local apprentices to work on the Napier and New Plymouth House site. Further work experience placements will be offered to locally under-represented groups to encourage them to consider a career in construction, and creating new job opportunities for site support roles including document controller, logistics manager and banksmen.

Essex Services Group will also look to source materials, where possible, from local or British based manufacturers and suppliers to help bring a further boost to the UK economy.

Rainham-based Skyline has also been appointed to supply three tower cranes for the duration of the works on site and JW Grey, headquartered in Wickford, will install the scheme’s lightning protection system.

In addition, Elliott Modular Group from neighbouring Thurrock has been contracted to supply 28 modular cabins to be used for site welfare and accommodation.

These new contracts come after Havering Council and Wates Residential announced the appointment of two local demolition contractors in 2019 to begin work at Napier and New Plymouth House and Solar, Serena and Sunrise Court.

For further opportunities, the Council is encouraging local businesses to join the Supply Chain Initiative. Once registered, this ensures that businesses are updated about all the upcoming opportunities in the borough. Businesses can sign up at: http://www.havering.gov.uk/supplychain.

"This is another great example of how Council-led regeneration gives us more control over not only the type of development taking place but also how we can maximise the potential benefits for our talented local businesses and residents. I am thrilled to see further evidence of how our plans for the borough continue to go so much further than just building homes for local people."

Councillor Damian White

Leader of Havering Council

"We are committed to increasing opportunities for local residents through our presence in the borough. This includes involving them throughout the entire build process and ensuring that procurement across each of our developments offers opportunities for local businesses to flourish."

Hugh Jeffery

Regional Development Director for Wates Residential

“We are extremely proud to be working with Wates Residential on this exciting local project. As a trusted brand with a 45-year history in the borough, we are passionate about every project that we deliver and have maintained a strong family business ethos. This includes working closely with local colleges and schools, including the Centre of Excellence at Havering College. ”

Gary Dew

Operations Director of Essex Services Group,

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