The Considerate Contractors Scheme (CCS) is a voluntary scheme contractors can engage with, aiming to improve the image of the construction industry. The scheme is concerned about any area of construction activity that may have a direct or indirect impact on the image of the industry as a whole. The main areas of concern fall into three categories: the general public, the workforce and the environment. By registering with the scheme Ash is agreeing to abide by the Code of Considerate Practice which encourages best practice beyond statutory requirements. The code commits sites that have registered with the scheme to care about appearance, respect the community, protect the environment, secure everyone’s safety and value their workforce. Values that here at Ash we feel we follow on all sites regardless of if they are registered with CCS or not. Recently Ash has been evaluated on three of our sites.
High Weald House in Bexhill a new build commercial development. The project consists of the construction of a three-story commercial development along with associated external works on undeveloped land. Ultimately, this will provide multiple office units of various sizes. Ash’s consideration for neighbours was congratulated at this site for how respectful management of deliveries and parking was for occupants of the adjacent office blocks. Additionally, the site received high marks for its appearance and cleanliness being maintained to such a high standard. The workforce on site is provided with a caring and supportive working environment with practices in place to manage any potential environmental and safety issues. The site completed its Considerate Contractors review in September and achieved Performance Beyond Compliance.
Our Beckenham Place Park project in Lewisham is centred around the restoration of the Homestead. An 18th-century Grade II listed stable block, consisting of a stable yard with 3 surrounding cottages. The renovation works involve transforming the homestead into a café and educational space with the surrounding cottages being made into office space for local business. Given the location and nature of this project it presents lots of opportunities to get involved with the local community. Our surveyor on the project presented at the London Open Doors event being hosted by the park to give locals an insight into the restoration project. Additionally, we have engaged with students at a local school studying Designing the Built Environment to visit the site, allowing them a rare experience of touring an active construction site. The site completed its Considerate Contractors review at the end of 2018 and achieved a certificate of compliance with the scheme.
The project in Norbury consists of constructing a new build vicarage on the land adjacent to St Phillips Church. The Vicarage is being built to Code 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. The Code for Sustainable Homes is a national standard for sustainable design and construction of new build, though abiding by this we are able to already fulfil the CCS criteria regarding protecting the environment. As the site is located in a built-up residential area there are multiple sensitive issues to consider. The CCS scheme provides reassurance to residents about the quality of work taking place and ensures that they won’t be adversely affected as a result of it. The site completed its Considerate Contractors review earlier this year and achieved Performance Beyond Compliance.
We would like to say a special thanks to the Site Managers and teams on all our CCS registered projects who have supported our implementation of the scheme. Ash are proud supporters of this scheme and look forward to working in conjunction with Considerate Contractors on many more projects to come.