Provision of temporary access utilising traditional tube & fitting scaffolding integrated with loading bay platforms and HAKI staircases.

Construction contractor Lovell Partnerships worked for client Placefirst to complete a £28m residential development off Delaval Road in the West End of the city. To transform and regenerate a six-acre brownfield site that’s been vacant for a long time by building 146 high-quality, energy-efficient rental homes that are fitted with air source heat pumps and solar panels to achieve sustainability targets. Placefirst is a multi-award-winning, build-to-rent, socially responsible developer and regeneration specialist that collaborates with local authorities to supply high-quality, long-term rental accommodation at a time of national shortage to support economic growth.

The new Benwell Dene neighbourhood development, comprising 119 two- to four-bedroom houses and 27 two-bedroom apartments available for long-term affordable rent, further enhances Placefirst’s growing portfolio of over 1,500 homes throughout the UK.

To support Lovell Partnerships in progressively building the new houses after rows of old terrace houses formerly occupying the site were demolished to make way for this development. Enigma erected a series of full external envelope scaffolds by utilising traditional tube & fitting equipment to aid the simultaneous construction of modern town housing in rows running down the hillside. This configuration provides a continuous work area surrounding the external perimeter of each row, and the boarded platform level is stepped up at regular intervals to accommodate the gradual slope. The series of connected platforms spans the full length of the building’s footprint, enabling bricklayers and various tradespeople to carry out scheduled works.

Installed up-and-over loading bays supported the efficient delivery of materials for both external and internal works, as well as the removal of waste. Then, to enhance site safety, brick guard protection panels were secured to all boarded lifts to prevent the risk of falling debris or materials.

Internally, to provide fall protection during the construction of the traditional ‘brick and block’ new-build homes, we installed internal birdcage scaffolds utilising HAKI system scaffold equipment. This offers a more effective solution compared to Trad Decking, which is commonly used across the housebuilding sector.

Then, to further support the construction of each row, we incorporated integrated HAKI staircases around the perimeter. This boosts on-site efficiency and gives scheduled trades, including bricklayers, glaziers, carpenters and roofers, safe access and egress across all levels.

Enigma’s operational team worked closely with the client to carefully plan the implementation of a series of continuous stepped scaffolds surrounding the rows of housing running down the steep hillside elevation.

Additionally, to help keep the overall project delivery on schedule and support the phased build programme, we efficiently organised scaffold erection/dismantling requirements, along with scaffold material logistics on site.