The award-winning Keepmoat Water’s Edge development in Blackburn, situated 1.5 miles from the town centre off Haslingden Road, is a waterside project set along the banks of Fishmoor Reservoir, offering residents picturesque views of the surrounding countryside. This new development features 205 homes comprising 168 three- to four-bedroom terraced, semi-detached, and detached houses, plus 37 affordable rent apartments to accommodate NHS staff working at the hospital on the opposite side of Haslingden Road (20 properties are shared ownership to be sold by Plumlife Homes).

The homes targeted at first-time buyers and growing families are covered by an NHBC 10-year warranty and equipped with advanced energy-saving technologies, including PV panels, EV charging points, high-performance insulation, double glazing, and efficient boilers, designed to consume up to 65% less energy than a typical older property, thereby lowering running costs. With 57 properties, which feature solar panels, heat recovery systems, and a play area, delivered in partnership with Great Places Housing Group.

As part of the development, sustainable urban drainage ponds have been created to manage surface rainwater run-off and help reduce the risk of flooding while supporting the vision of transforming the neighbourhood into a thriving habitat for birds, bees, and diverse plant life.

The project also incorporates biodiversity enhancement measures such as tree planting and the establishment of a wildflower corridor to connect and strengthen local ecological networks.

To support Keepmoat throughout the programme, which encompassed the construction of houses and an apartment block, we utilised HAKI system scaffolding, selected for its straightforward “hook-on” locking mechanism and lightweight components. This system allows for quicker erection and dismantling compared to traditional scaffolding methods, thereby increasing productivity while enhancing safety.

The HAKI Universal International Manual enables on-site teams to construct staircases and loading bays by following detailed, step-by-step instructions. To eliminate the requirement for scaffold design drawings, offering further time and cost savings for the client.

Full external envelope scaffolds were erected around each new-build house plot, up to three lifts high, with gable-end hop-ups installed to facilitate access to roof areas. The scaffolding is progressively raised in line with brickwork progress, and integrated up-and-over loading bays support the efficient delivery of materials for both external and internal works, as well as the removal of waste. To further enhance site safety, brick guard protection panels were secured to all boarded lifts to prevent the risk of falling debris or materials.

Additionally, to provide internal fall protection during the construction of the traditional ‘brick and block’ new-build homes, we installed internal birdcage scaffolds. These offer a more effective solution compared to Trad Decking, which is commonly used across the housebuilding sector.

To further support the construction of the apartment block, we incorporated integrated HAKI staircases within the five-lift scaffolding structure. This further improves on-site efficiency and provides scheduled trades, including bricklayers and glaziers, with safe access and egress across all levels. The modular nature of the HAKI scaffolding system makes it ideally suited to fast-paced new-build developments, reducing labour demands without compromising productivity.

To further enhance on-site safety, we have installed an edge protection guardrail frame on the gable ends of new-build homes that are supported by puncheon tubes and fixed to the butting transom to protect roofers while working at height.

Additionally, to help keep the overall project delivery on schedule and support the phased build programme, Enigma’s operational team worked closely with the client to organise scaffold erection/dismantling requirements along with scaffold material logistics.