Most Considerate Site 2012

Following three weeks of intense competition from 88 Gold Award winning contractors throughout the UK, McLaughlin and Harvey have been named the UK's Most Considerate Site 2012 for their work in refurbishing the Sainsbury's store at Ballymena.

The annual awards, run by the Considerate Constructors Scheme, recognise the highest levels of consideration and care shown by construction sites throughout the UK towards their local neighbourhood and the general public, site staff and the environment. Only 88 UK sites achieved the gold standard this year from over 8500 entrants, and the Sainsbury's site was judged to be the very top performer of all.

Particular constraints are always in place when work is to be carried out while a store stays open for business, and the awards panel felt that McLaughlin and Harvey had managed this to an exceptional degree. At the same time, the site team showed full commitment to energy conservation and sustainability with several innovations. To study the use of "virtual water" in construction operations and materials, an MSc student was retained for research. The resource-saving results proved so valuable that Sainsburys already plan to use them on a UK-wide basis, and other construction companies have been invited to share them. A further unique concept was the use of specially-developed "low carbon" hoarding which was not only attractive but whose production significantly reduced its environmental impact.

First class operative facilities were also noted by the panel including a stop smoking club, and all operatives were incentivised in the many areas of considerate performance. Innovative use was made of the site canteen by hosting a celebrity chef healthy eating cookery demonstration for all staff, while extensive community involvement included the creation of a free calendar showing photo examples of considerate initiatives, extensive local litter picking, and in-store bag-packing to raise money for charity.

At a prestigious ceremony held at the Plaisterers' Hall in London, the award was presented to David Wellwood and Charlene Jones of McLaughlin and Harvey by Paul Morrell OBE, the Government's Chief Construction Adviser.