Member Article

NHBC award-winning site manager appointed to build new Bedhampton community

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes has appointed Gary Bickel as site manager for its Harbour Place development in Bedhampton.

Award-winning site manager Gary, who formerly worked on the housebuilder’s New Quarter site in Bordon, will now be overseeing construction of the 305 properties that will be built at the new site in Bedhampton – 205 by Barratt and 100 by David Wilson. He will work closely with all those involved in the process - including subcontractors and suppliers.

Last year, Gary was chosen from over 11,000 entrants to win Pride in the Job Quality award from the National House Building Council (NHBC) - a top national award for quality at an event considered to be the “Oscars of the housebuilding industry”.

Each site manager is judged on a range of key criteria including health and safety, their tech-nical knowledge, customer service and attention to detail – something which Gary has in abundance.

He said: “From laying the groundwork and getting those first foundations in, to seeing happy buyers move into their new homes – it’s a real sense of achievement.”

At the exciting new development, the newly appointed site manager will be working with timber frame structures, which uses timber studs and rails. This, together with a structural sheathing board to form a structural frame, transmits all vertical and horizontal loads to the foundations. One of its advantages means houses can be built more quickly without compromising on quali-ty.

Although homes are traditionally built with bricks and block, many housebuilders across the country are now using timber frame, and Gary speaks of the material’s many benefits.

He said: “I’m extremely excited be to working on this method of build. The quality of timber frame has improved hugely over the years – it’s more sustainable than bricks and block, less labour intensive and less costly. We are also able to deliver homes at a much quicker pace – welcome news for our new homeowners.

“I know the whole team here is delighted with what we’re accomplishing, and I couldn’t be prouder. From the layout and mix of different house types across the site, to our location - close to the beautiful south coast - I couldn’t have asked for a better design and setting.

“To see a community develop right in front of your eyes is one of my favourite parts of the role and I am looking forward to seeing the site become home to many people in years to come.”

Tammy Bishop, Barratt Homes Sales Director, Southampton division added: “We think very carefully when appointing site managers for our new developments because they are crucial to the success of these important new communities.

“Gary has skills and experience to deliver homes of the quality our buyers have come to ex-pect from us. I look forward to watching this impressive new community develop even further over the coming months.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .