June Update - Timber Frame

June has rolled around very quickly and so has the superstructure works which are now ongoing. Thanks to the local residents who have put up with all the muck shift and concrete wagons whilst the substructures have been going in! Obviously deliveries are needed and will continue throughout the project but will endeavor to keep disruption to a minimum and the roads outside our site clean.

Anybody who lives nearby cannot fail to spot the large crane which is now situated on site lifting the timber frame constructed by Shirley based Timber Innovations into place. The airtight and insulated panels are quicker to erect than traditional masonry construction and provide a well insulated, high quality frame.  The Smart Ply Panels which are being installed have a factory applied specialist surface finish provides increased and constant vapour resistance on the warm side of the construction. The hygroscopic nature of the OSB panel acts as a humidity buffer to help prevent condensation within the timber frame structure.The panels are constructed with zero  formaldehyde as in older resin structures and as such have better air quality than earlier timber frame structures. SmartPly also has Forest Stewardship Council accreditation meaning that it is procured from a sustainable source.

Over the next month the frame will continue to be dropped into place as will the surrounding scaffolding. There are still sections of groundworks to complete and more concrete to pour but the level of large wagons will fall over the forthcoming period. The number of trades coming to site will however increase as more bodies come to site to start the internal works and sections of roof.

Panels being lifted into position

Foundations are still going in for the external boundary walls & plant room

External Walls and Ramps being constructed

Panels insitu with window openings already formed

Air tight Smart Ply http://www.smartply.com/ 

Outside face ready to receive external finishes

Large sections of the timber frame ready to be slung into position

Those living by the site will have hopefully all recieved a questionnaire asking for any feedback that you may as to how we are getting on. Could we please ask they are returned to the letter box on the front gate of the site. Your feedback really does help us and help to deal with any issues you may have. Alternatively please feel free to drop in for a cup of tea and chat if there are any burning issues you may wish to raise.

Finally just polite request to remind all of your kids that building sites are not playgrounds. From this week there will be a full time security guard on at night. Whilst vandalism is frustrating obviously our key concern is keeping children safe. Thanks for your cooperation.

Timelapse Camera

We have on site a timelapse camera which is recording the whole of the build as it progresses. It should be particularly interesting as the superstructure works take place during the forthcoming months. The video above is where we are up until the start of May.

May Update

Works continue apace on the new Primary School site. The floor slab is going in stages and the erection of the timber frame will be starting W/C 22nd May including the erection of a crane on site. To protect the site from unwanted visitors there will be an out-of-hours security guard on site throughout the night and at weekends.

We will be continuing a concrete pour operation this coming Saturday 13th May so apologies in advance for any inconvenience that may cause.

Concrete Works

All - Just to make you aware that we (SpellerMetcalfe) will be doing a further concrete pour tomorrow (26th April) at the Primary School Site. As this operation has to be completed in one hit it may be necessary to work beyond our usual 5pm finish into the evening. We will endevour to keep any noise and disruption to a minimum. Thanks.

March Progress

Works continue apace in the ground at Malvern Vale with the vast majority of the major bulk shift of cartaway now being completed. The site is stoned up, foundations going in and will soon be ready for the superstructure to commence.

Externally the perimeter walls have commence adjacent the footpath areas - these will ultimately provided the secure boundary of the site. 

Please note that Ian Hodgkiss is no longer involved with the Malvern Vale Primary School Project. 

Paul Morris has taken over the Site Management of the project with immediate effect and will work alongside Rob Portman.

Pauls contact details are –

paul.morris@spellermetcalfe.com 07974 766560.

Out of Hours Working

On Thursday March 23rd we at SpellerMetcalfe will pouring and finishing the concrete slab at the New Primary School. The operation needs to be done in one hit to get the correct finish on the concrete. However as it is also weather dependent it may be that the operation continues beyond our normal working hours into the evening/night. We will do our best to minimise any noise and apologies for any inconvenience in advance

Feb Update

The groundwork's continue apace with piling works now being undertaken. This is a fairly noisy activity but should only last a couple of weeks.

Since starting over 250 loads of spoil have been removed from site with approximately another 80 loads to go. Once complete this should reduce the number of large vehicle movements on the estate.



The site has now been mainly stoned up giving a dry working area reducing mud been removed from site on vehicle wheels and allow for the concreting of the piles to commence by the end of the week.





Going forward the drainage has started to arrive on site which will be threaded through the piles as well as incoming services being. Foundations for the external walls to the site along side of the existing pathway will also commence shortly.

The substructures of the project will continue through March & April through to early May when the timber frame should be delivered and the extra superstructure of the building will be craned into place.

Don't forget we have the meet and greet this evening from 5pm through to 7pm at Malvern Vale Community Centre if you have any queries to raise.