Whitchurch, Hampshire

An entire infrastructure in 18 months

In May 2017, our operatives broke ground for Barratt Homes on an ambitious new development just outside Whitchurch, Hampshire. The £5.5 million contract called for entire infrastructure to service 100 residential units at the Winchester Road site within an 18-month timeframe.

Our operatives needed to create the footprints for the new high-spec two-, three-, four- and five-bed homes, including digging out the foundations to exacting technical specifications of the client's drawings. We also had to ensure utilities tunnels and drainage trenches were created in time to lay the pipework that connected each new dwelling to running water, essential live services and sewers.

Outfoxing the harsh weather conditions

With the tight deadline and the prospect of winter kicking in six months after the May groundbreaking, we knew we had to work hard and fast to keep the works on schedule. And, as it happened, we were right: in early 2018, at the peak of the works, England was repeatedly subjected to some of the most inclement weather conditions experienced in a long time, with high winds and incessant heavy rainfall continually affecting works on-site.

Fortunately, we had the foresight to assign an average of 20 groundworkers (4-5 gangs) to the build at any one time. This kept progress steady and on track, working to daily deadlines set by our project site manager, Paul Weaving. Their efforts ensured Barratt's Mill Springs groundworks gained significant strides week after week.

The best of both worlds at Mill Springs

Whitchurch sits roughly midway between Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover in Hampshire. It enjoys easy access to its neighbouring towns and villages via the A34 and A303, as well as offering direct train links into London – making the Mill Springs site a prime location for commuters (the development is just a four-minute walk from the station).

Mill Springs enjoys the best of both worlds: much of the local area is designated conservation land and benefits from close proximity to the River Test and, for those who like to enjoy a thriving nightlife and cultural outings, there is easy access into neighbouring larger cities. This is all on top of the local conveniences and amenities that Whitchurch town itself provides.