A former US Air Base in Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire is being transformed into a new community of 763 new homes – with assistance from builders’ merchant, Jewson.
Jewson is working with Dorchester Living to support the construction of over 700 new homes at a former US Air Base in Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire. Heyford Park, which is set within 1,231 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, was once the largest airfield in Europe. Home to 15,000 American servicemen until 1994, it was acquired by The Dorchester Group in 2009.
Alongside a £19m Government investment in Bicester to turn it into a garden city and plans to build 13,000 homes, Dorchester is bringing further investment to the area by transforming nearby Heyford Park into a brand-new community.
The development has seen the introduction of local amenities, including Heyford Park Free School, alongside 763 new homes. A neighbourhood centre with retail outlets and a village pub will also be built as part of the project.
Nathan Holcombe, Managing Surveyor at Heyford Park commented: “The Heyford Park development is about more than just building new homes – it’s about creating a community that is built to last.”
Phased approach
As a phased build project, Dorchester needed a merchant partner with which it could establish an ongoing, long-term relationship. The merchant partner also needed to offer a robust supply chain to ensure quality of materials, delivered on time and in full, to keep the project on schedule. The requirement of large quantities of materials meant there was also a need for the merchant to offer bespoke financial terms, that would in turn help Dorchester make a significant investment in the project.
With a local branch in Oxford and strong supplier relationships, Jewson was able to meet Dorchester’s requirements for the project. Concrete blocks are one of the most in-demand construction materials used to build houses in the UK, and an essential element of the Heyford Park development. Thanks to its close working relationship with suppliers, such as aircrete block manufacturer H+H Celcon, Jewson has been able to provide a regular supply of these necessary building materials to keep the project on track. The scope of the build also calls for materials including roof trusses, joists and timber, which Jewson is well-equipped to provide and deliver within a next-day time frame as needed.
Contract kitchens
In addition to supply chain support, Jewson is providing contract kitchens for the new-build properties. Specified for their attractive linear design, the Jewson kitchen range is hand-painted to order, giving the homes a bespoke, quality finish.
“Long lead time projects like this require that little bit extra in terms of flexibility and client collaboration,” said Mel Macdonald, Area Sales Manager at Jewson. “We have been able to offer Dorchester an account that is well-suited to its financial requirements, and provide the bulk supply of building materials throughout each phase of the project. In opting to use our contract kitchens, Dorchester has streamlined the supply process and ensured a fantastic result for future homeowners.
“We always want to make sure that we’re delivering what the client wants and needs, not just in terms of materials but also with peace of mind and reliability. With regular contact and site visits, we’re able to keep track of the project’s progress and get ready for the next phase, and this is something Dorchester really values.”
Over 300 homes have been built at Heyford Park to date. The next phases are well underway, and two new phases began before Christmas 2018 which include shops and a national grocery retailer. Dorchester is currently working towards submitting a new masterplan application which will bring the total development to over 2,600 new homes.
