Construction firm Keepmoat builds 71 student homes for University of Cumbria

Off-site construction techniques have helped accelerate the delivery of a new student accommodation development in Cumbria.

Regeneration and construction firm Keepmoat utilised off-site manufacturing to build enough housing for 71 University of Cumbria students living in Ambleside.

To minimise disruption for locals, Keepmoat used structural insulated panels (SIPs) to cut on-site labour, improve safety and reduce waste.

With the scheme being located in a Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) conservation area, the building firm held discussions with the LDNPA and English Heritage.

The talks, according to Keepmoat, ensured materials were chosen that complemented the Ambleside Conservation Area and the existing buildings on campus.

Keepmoat’s area director for the North West, Frank Mondino, said: “We’re delighted to have delivered a project, which stretches far beyond constructing the student housing.

“The off-site method enabled us to keep local disruption to a minimum. Additionally, the SIPs panels provided a cost effective, environmentally friendly and labour saving alternative to traditional methods, enabling us to source local products and provide employment and training opportunities for local subcontractors – something which is incredibly important to us.”

He continued: “Our industry is in the midst of a skills crisis and so schemes like this serve well to expose trainees and apprentices to modern methods.

“We also hope to continue working with the University in the future, to inject interest in the field and tackle the issue head on.”

The University of Cumbria’s chief operating officer, Janet Whitworth, commented: “We are delighted with our new student accommodation delivered by Keepmoat.

“Keepmoat stepped in during January 2016 to help us deliver this project with extremely tight deadlines as we needed the rooms ready for students arriving in October.”

She added: “I am pleased to say that the experience of working with Keepmoat and the innovative SIPs solution has been hugely positive, and in spite of Storm Desmond we were ready for the students arriving.”

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