15/07/2014 – Construction works by Balfour Beatty have commenced on the Willow Walk development for Southwark Council in the London Borough of Southwark.  Southwark council has pledged to build 11,000 new homes over the next 30 years to address the high demand and short supply of affordable houses in the borough.

The Progressive Group have been awarded the masonry package for this development and are using the SafeStand® 800 system to provide a working platform to build the internal blockwork walls. SafeStand® Ltd have been working alongside The Progressive Group for a number of years providing working platforms on numerous Balfour Beatty projects and other leading main contractors throughout London.

Balfour Beatty will produce 75 new, affordable homes of which 21 will be for social rent comprising; eight one-bedroom homes, eight two-beds and five three-beds including two wheelchair units on the ground floor, complete with private gardens, bicycle storage and a communal courtyard. Balfour Beatty will also create a new street through the development complete with car parking, cycle racks and refuse facilities.

02/07/2014  Work continues on the new affordable housing scheme on the  former Stonehouse Arena sports ground in Harwell Street, Plymouth.

Balfour Beatty are constructing 46 new homes on the site – a mix of one, two and three-bedroom homes – all of which will be available for affordable rent. There will also be 10 two and three-bedroom properties for shared ownership sale. Photovoltaic solar panels will be fitted to generate electricity, and high levels of thermal insulation will help reduce energy consumption and fuel costs.

In order to meet the project programme and reduce project costings, Balfour Beatty have chosen  to use SafeStand® Access Systems for the construction of internal blockwork walls. Their brickwork subcontractor Sement Bricklaying Contractors Ltd are using the SafeStand® 800 5 Board System on the site. On 2^nd July 2014 SafeStand® Ltd carried out a full days training session with representatives of both Balfour Beatty and Sement Bricklaying Contractors in attendance.

The £8m scheme is due for completion in January 2015.