The construction industry plays a vital role in shaping our environment. From healthcare and education to housing and industrial units, construction projects are essential for creating the places in which we live, work and play.
What is the Considerate Constructors Scheme?
The Considerate Constructors Scheme is a voluntary, non-profit organisation that sets standards for considerate construction practices. Organisations like ours who register with the scheme are committing to observing and implementing the Code of Considerate Practice. It focuses on three key sections: respecting the community, caring for the environment, and valuing the workforce. These are essential and key areas required to effectively raise standards within the industry and build trust with the public.
Why is the Considerate Constructors Scheme Important to us?
We are committed to being a Considerate Constructor. As a long established, family-run business with strong values, we have been investing and building properties for over 100 years and believe the scheme provides a valuable framework. The Considerate Constructors Scheme is important for several reasons:
Reduces disruption to local communities: Construction projects can be noisy, dusty, and disruptive. The Considerate Constructors Scheme encourages us to take steps to minimise disruption, such as scheduling work at reasonable times and keeping noise levels to a minimum.
In Practice: As a standard, we operate the following fixed working hours to make sure that disruption to the community, both commercial and residential, is minimised. At our Hortonwood45 site in Telford, our development team has been meeting the local community group on a regular basis advising of upcoming works to fully understand their concerns and proactively looking at ways to improve the construction experience for them. For those who have not been in attendance we introduced a community noticeboard at the site entrance, particularly helpful for the local businesses.
Improves safety on construction sites: Construction can be a dangerous industry and the Considerate Constructors Scheme helps us to promote a culture of safety on our construction sites. The scheme provides guidance on a range of safety topics such as risk assessment, safe working practices and mental health awareness.
In Practice: Hortonwood45’s site manager has been conducting regular toolbox talks on health and safety, drawing on information from CCS and the HSE. A focus on mental health awareness included a visit from the Shropshire Mental Health Support team. This visit, attended by the entire site team, provided an opportunity for open discussion and personal reflection. Site Manager Dave Fletcher shared his own experiences, highlighting the positive shift in attitudes towards mental health in the construction industry.
Protects the environment: Construction projects can have a negative impact on the environment if not managed correctly. The Considerate Constructors Scheme encourages us to take steps to protect the environment, such as reducing waste, conserving water, and using sustainable materials.
In Practice: At Hortonwood45 we’ve implemented a huge planting scheme which has been developed with our landscaping designers and covers an area twice the size of the new building footprint. Working closely with local community groups, we’ve also taken steps to protect our resident owls. Custom-made owl boxes, crafted by Morris Joinery, will be strategically placed among the site’s trees, providing safe homes for the birds. Finally, we’ve repurposed on-site logs to create a natural habitat on the bund, transforming potential waste into a thriving wildlife sanctuary.
Enhances the image of the construction industry: The construction industry can sometimes be seen as overlooking local communities and their environment. The Considerate Constructors Scheme helps to change this perception with the positive actions it promotes.
In Practice: At Hortonwood45, we’ve supported Apley Wood Primary Academy with their forest school program. Our donation of £250 to buy new equipment will help the school to continue providing its pupils with outdoor learning experiences, which are proven to have several benefits for children’s development and education. The donation to Apley Wood Primary Academy Forest School is just one example of our commitment to supporting local communities. Find out more about our community efforts here.
How We Approach the Considerate Constructors Scheme
We take a comprehensive approach to implementing the Scheme on our construction sites. This includes:
- Providing training to all staff on the Considerate Constructors Scheme guidelines
- Regularly monitoring our performance against the scheme’s criteria
- Taking steps to address any areas where we can improve
Several of our sites are currently Considerate Constructors including Hortonwood45, Telford. You can monitor their progress here. By embracing this Scheme, we are committed to building a better future for our communities across Shropshire and beyond. We strive to minimise disruption, prioritise safety, and protect the environment helping shape a more sustainable and considerate construction industry.
