Contractors working on St Austell’s £75 million town centre redevelopment scheme are celebrating after being recognised with a top industry award for good practice.
Sir Robert McAlpine, the firm appointed by White River Developments to build ‘White River Place’, won a Silver Considerate Constructors Scheme 2009 National Award at a ceremony in London earlier this month.
The project was praised for achieving particularly high standards of cleanliness, safety, accountability and the company was recognised for its consideration to local people for keeping disruption to a minimum. It was also commended for its exceptional achievements in the categories of environment, neighbour, respectful and responsible. Judges felt the site was a credit to Sir Robert McAlpine and to the site team.
£31.5 million is being invested in the scheme by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) with the balance of the funding being invested by White River Developments. The Considerate Constructors Scheme is a national initiative, set up by the construction industry, to improve its image. Sites that sign-up are monitored against a Code of Considerate Practice – the very best performing sites are recognised with an award for excellent standards of consideration towards their workforce, neighbours and the environment.
Bryan Trethewey, Project Manager for Sir Robert McAlpine said: “This is a real achievement for the whole team working on the project in St Austell and we are delighted to have been recognised in this way by our professional peers. We, as a company, are committed to upholding the highest standards in construction at all times and this award is testament to the professionalism shown by everyone involved in this exciting town centre redevelopment scheme.”
Once completed, the redevelopment will include new shops, restaurants, a 550-space multi-storey car park and 70 apartments. The new four-screen White River Cinema has already opened to the public. Retailers committed to the scheme include Frankie & Benny’s, coffee shop Starbucks, fashion outlets New Look, Peacocks and Bonmarche, high street bank HBoS and garden and home store Wilkinson.
The scheme is due to be completed by Sir Robert McAlpine this autumn for retailers to begin the process of internal fit-out. Up to 700 new jobs are expected to be created once White River Place is complete and open for business.
