Northern-Ireland based McLaughlin and Harvey has won the UK’s Most Considerate Site 2012 for their work in refurbishing the Sainsbury’s store at Ballymena in County Antrim.
The firm, which also operates across the UK, beat 88 gold-award winning contractors in the annual awards, run by the Considerate Constructors Scheme. These awards recognise the highest levels of consideration and care shown by construction sites throughout the UK towards their local neighbourhood and the general public, site staff and the environment. Only 88 UK sites achieved the gold standard this year from over 8500 entrants.
Particular constraints are always in place when work is to be carried out while a store stays open for business, and the awards panel felt that McLaughlin and Harvey had managed this to an exceptional degree. At the same time, the site team showed full commitment to energy conservation and sustainability with several innovations, said the CCS. An MSc student was employed to study the use of water in construction operations and materials. The resource-saving results proved so valuable that Sainsbury”s already plan to use them on a UK-wide basis, and other construction companies have been invited to share them.
A further unique concept was the use of specially-developed "low carbon" hoarding which was not only attractive but whose production significantly reduced its environmental impact. Michael Kieran, one of the Directors at winners McLaughlin & Harvey said:” We believe that it is important to consider fully the impact of our contracts on the communities in which we work and where possible to "give something back". The CCS provides an excellent checklist to help contractors to be more considerate and to promote a positive image of construction.”
