New Accessible Housing Build – Live Updates
As many of you will know, we are in the process of building new, accessible homes for adults with learning disabilities and autism. Part of our Capital Plan expansion programme at Camphill MK, the first house building phase is in Pennyland, Milton Keynes.
Local contractors Watson & Cox are the leading contractors bringing to life the plans created by architects Devonshire Architects.
We want to keep everyone informed, so here is the latest on the build.
9.12.24
Big thanks to KJ Hill Ltd for their support on the site with SFS, plastering, dry lining and screeding. Plastering the downstairs bedrooms is complete and the kitchen is next.
6.12.24
We are so pleased with the progress of Phase 1a on our new accessible home project in Pennyland. The stonework looks fantastic!
29.11.24
Big thanks to Jake from MK Community Foundation for popping in for a hard hat tour of our new Pennyland development.
MK Community Foundation is kindly funding accessibility elements of the building, including a state-of-the-art accessible lift. The foundation is making a significant impact in funding in the community, which is made possible by their fantastic donors and fundholders. We are fortunate to have such a committed funder on our doorstep!
26.11.24
We’re making excellent progress at our Pennyland site. The scaffold has come down on schedule and we’re so pleased with the results unveiling the fantastic limestone building
The glazing has also gone in and the building continues to take shape. It’s going to make for a wonderful home for our residents when completed.
4.11.24
With the roof complete, the new solar PV installation on block 1a in Pennylands has been installed, which will help the development to decarbonise. The green roof will be sewn with lots of wildlife-friendly seeds in the spring of 2025.
2.11.24
Watson & Cox donated many used pallets from our Pennyland site. Our Facilities Team (Tom and Simon) brought them to the Willen site rather than disposing of them. Our Gardens Workshop team spent a few days dismantling them, which residents Eddie, Matthew, Chris and Rooh really enjoyed! We will use the wood to make various garden items, such as planters and bug hotels over the winter.
28.10.24
Resident Nicky Visits the Pennylands Site
Support Worker Roy knows how much our resident Nicky loves architecture, building practice and construction. He asked if Nicky could come and have a look at the Pennyland building site to get an understanding of it, as he really loves construction.
We asked Nicky to bring one of his models, which he showed to Richard from Watson & Cox. Richard then showed Nicky the building plans and toured Nicky around the site with Roy and Stuart.
It was an excellent opportunity for Nicky to rationalise the building and share the story of his involvement when Camphill MK was built in the 80s.
As some of you may know, Nicky is a fantastic model house builder. You can view some of his work here.
17.10.24
On Thursday (17th October) residents visited the new house at Pennyland, joining our VIPs to celebrate the roof being completed on the house. The celebration is called a Topping Out Ceremony and they were joined by the Mayor of Milton Keynes Marie Bradburn, funders of the house and our trustees.
14.10.24
Our residents living on Pennyland created a bug hotel as part of the noticeboard our contractors Watson & Cox provided to update people in the locality. We’re really pleased with their efforts and the noticeboard’s multi-function!
9.10.24
Our new Chair of Trustees, Elizabeth Sheldon, joined our CEO Tim Davies to see the installation of a beautiful piece of etched stone on the new house in Pennyland.
Elizabeth shared, “I have been passionate about Camphill MK and its residents for years and it is a pleasure to be able to use my experience and networks to support Camphill as it grows. I was honoured to be part of this etched stone which is from a local quarry and I am looking forward to taking on the role of Chair from January next year”.
27.9.24
This week saw the completion of the green roofs on both the Energy Centre and the accommodation building. The scaffold came down on the Energy Centre, and the first fix of electrics and stone masonry continued progressing well.
18.9.24
Keeping EVERYONE informed about our new build site in Pennyland is really important to us. Today, our Senior Leadership Team visited the build to hear from our contractors about the latest progress.
13.9.24
Work is progressing to install the first fix services. Partitioning to form the bathrooms is mostly completed on the ground floor. The Energy Centre roof is now complete too. Stonework to the front and side elevations is now at ground floor cill level.
4.9.24
Our residents got the opportunity to lay stones and become a part of the new building project on our Pennyland site.
We love that they carved their names into some of the stones and became a part of the building itself.
We’re so thankful to our construction partners, Watson & Cox Construction and Gary Cook and his stonemason team for their help in facilitating!
2.9.24
Great detailing on stone setting out!
29.8.24
The roof structure is coming on nicely. The insulation and roof coverings are on site and ready to go.
As well as the roof, the masonry is moving in the right direction with the stone plinths being laid and looking great.
The thought and care taken in the design, to build somehting special for the residents, will become more and more evident as this first block takes shape.
22nd August 2024
Here’s some high-quality brickwork by Jack Charles Brickwork on the development of our accessible home at Pennyland.
21st August 2024
We requested a community notice board to stand off the red route on our Pennyland site. Our construction partners, Watson & Cox Construction, kindly obliged.
Soon, it will be filled with news and notices, which we hope will be useful to the community.
20th August 2024
The past few weeks have been a hive of activity on our Pennyland site. Our construction partners, Watson & Cox Construction, are working hard and diligently to stay on schedule.
They are proceeding with fire protection works, carpentry to the roof and builder’s works for mechanicals and electricals. The stone material is also on-site, and we’re so happy with the progress.
13th August 2024
Read all about our new accessible housing build project to suitably support more adults with learning disabilities and autism on MKFM!
8th August 2024
Whilst the sun was out, our Tim and Lucy welcomed The Parks Trust CEO Victoria Miles MBE DL for a tour of our 1st house at Pennyland. The Parks Trust are important partners for us at Camphill MK Communities and we were delighted Victoria was able to spend some time with us.
This photo, although recent, is already a view that cannot be replicated as the blockwork forming the walls on the first floor is now complete.
Thank you to Matt Cooper and Richard Slinn for giving us a tour.
1st August 2024
Today our trustee sub group met with our CEO Tim at our phase 1 building site to review progress alongside our project manager Mark Eustace.
The building is looking amazing and we are well on track for delivering this essential accessible housing opening in early 2025!
Huge thanks to our construction partners Watson & Cox Construction for their hard work and diligence.
26th July 2024
Progress continues! Including attenuation crates for storm water. They will be installed this week. The scaffolding around the building is fully installed. The first floor walls / blockwork will start being constructed.
18th July 2024
Keeping you informed about the buidling activities in Pennyland is really important to us. The site entrance now has Camphill boards, to give local residents a better idea of who, what and why.
Today, we also had another site visit with three T Level students from MK College.
15th July 2024
Our project manager, Mark Eustace, is working with MK College and has two young men, Fego and Ishaan, placed with him. They are not just observers, but active participants in our project, gaining hands-on experience in the build and design process while pursuing technical qualifications. This week, they had the opportunity to visit the Camphill MK site. They spent the day with Mark, observing the current works, participating in a contractor meeting to discuss key milestones and delivery against the project plan, and meeting with Camphill MK trustees to report on any changes to the project, including achievements versus the milestone planner. Their contributions have been significant and we look forward to seeing their continued growth and development.
11th July 2024
Work is progressing well in the Pennyland site with completing of the masonry walls around the energy centre.
8th July 2024
Before, during and after photos of the first floor slab being poured.
Good work from:
TSI Structures Ltd (main frame)
MSW metal decking
MARSH CONSTRUCTION (LUTON) LIMITED undertook the pour.
Cemex provided the concrete in a timely manner.
Ramcrete Concrete Pumping Ltd the pump supplier.
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