New figures on work to revitalise an estate in Mansfield are showing the project is bringing a massive boost to the local economy and local businesses.
Mansfield District Council’s redevelopment scheme on the Bellamy estate, will see 22 high-quality affordable homes built, new shops and a new through road and green space.
Under the council’s procurement policies Mercer Building Solutions have had to include social value actions as part of its contract to deliver the project.
So far, these have shown that 97.4% of the people employed on the project come from within 40 miles of the site and 88% are from within 20 miles of Mansfield against a target of 60%.
They also show that the financial spend distribution throughout the main contractor’s supply chain is currently beating a target of 25% within the district by 2% and is exceeding a target of 75% within 30 miles by 6%.
And 100% of the spend has been with small to medium sized suppliers against a target of 60%.
So far, orders worth £3.7m have been placed with these local suppliers. The scheme, which has a projected total cost of £7.7m is due to be completed next year.
As well as 22 homes and a new parade of shops, the cost of the scheme includes demolishing redundant units on the site, a new connecting road between Thorpe Road and Egmanton Road and removing, diverting or installing utility connections such as gas, electricity, water, phone and broadband.
Councillor Anne Callaghan, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “We are delighted that the construction of this development is already delivering a significant boost to the local economy and to local people and suppliers.
“Mercer seems to be going above and beyond the targets that our procurement policies have set for project and that is to be commended.”
Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams added: "The actions taken by Mercer demonstrate just what can be achieved in terms of local people's lives when we apply social value aspirations and a commitment to community wealth building in the targets the council sets when awarding contracts and appointing suppliers.
"We want to expand this philosophy with all our local partners to scale up and multiply the benefits to the local economy by money being earned and spent within the district and surrounding areas."
As well as boosting the local economy, Mercer has also had to include training and learning opportunities.
It is currently liaising with Vision West Notts College and sub-contractors working on the project to offer two students on-site experience for five weeks in the autumn.
The company has also exceeded an expected target of social enterprise engagement by working with various voluntary and community organisations on the estate.
These include the local food club, and supporting the estate’s residents and tenants association by donating £500 towards the hire of a coach for a residents’ trip to Skegness in August, and enabling an opportunity for 20 residents to attend a charity concert hosted by Major Oak Pop Choir at the Fretwell Sporting Complex in Mansfield last month.
In addition, it is providing labour to assist Bellamy Road Tenants Association fulfil their vision to rejuvenate the community allotment after they secured funding from Lindhurst Windfarm to purchase materials.
Lesley Salmon, Secretary of the association, praised Mercer for becoming a valued part of the Bellamy community.
She said: "The residents of Bellamy Estate have embraced the presence of Mercer and are following the progress of the redevelopment with great interest.
"Both managers and site workers take a close, personal, and active interest in activities organised by the community groups who work on the estate for the benefit of the residents. They have been absorbed as part of the community, and will be much missed when the redevelopment is complete.
"Their willingness to give financial support is very much valued, especially by those residents in the community who find life difficult due to financial restraints, which can make it a strain to provide for life’s little extra pleasures and treats. Gardening is now widely recognised as being beneficial to both physical and mental health, and Mercer's help with the long overdue upgrade will ensure that the community allotment can continue into the future."
Future social engagement plans involve working with a local school to offer learning opportunities around the themes of eco-friendly housing and careers and about the importance of health and safety on construction sites and why they are off limits to the public.
On environmental targets, Mercer is set to achieve or beat a target of 97% of waste being recycled rather than going to landfill. A recent waste audit carried out on the site aims to increase waste management efficiency and lower carbon emissions associated with waste. The scheme has a target of two trees to be planted for each home built.
Katy Mercer, Director of Mercer, said “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the council to deliver this project. Already, we have formed positive relationships with local suppliers, residents and community groups in and around the Bellamy estate and we look forward to developing these as works continue."
Work on the new energy efficient homes has begun following the completion of a single-storey parade of retail outlets that will become a convenience store, cafe, and takeaway.
The council's in-house architects have designed the homes in line with the Future Homes Standard. This means they will have low-carbon heating and a high standard of energy efficiency, resulting in considerably lower carbon dioxide emissions than properties built to current Building Regulations.
The houses will include three four-bedroom semi-detached houses, eight three-bedroom semi-detached houses, nine two-bedroom semi-detached houses and two two-bedroom detached houses. They will be rented to families on the council’s housing list.
The Bellamy regeneration scheme has been made possible with £7.7m of capital investment taken from the council’s Housing Revenue Account, which is made up of tenant rents and must be used to either build more homes or maintain the housing stock across the district.
Part of the estate upgrade is already complete, with a new play park and learn-to-ride cycle track opening in early 2023.