GRS Contractors begins on Rowland Homes scheme in Chadderton

GRS Contractors has started work as principal contractor on a new residential development for Rowland Homes at Butterworth Lane, Chadderton, Oldham, extending a working relationship between the two firms into Greater Manchester. 

The North West civil engineering contractor has been appointed to deliver the roads sewers and first phase of plots, having previously delivered infrastructure for Rowland Homes at Royal Gardens, Bispham, and Highfield Manor, Haydock. 

Works at Chadderton include surface water drainage with pipework up to 1800mm in diameter, alongside a dedicated surface water pumping station to manage flow across the development. The package also includes foul water drainage up to 150mm in diameter and an attenuation tank, forming the infrastructure the rest of the scheme will be built on. 

On site this week, the early stages of that work were already visible. A secure materials compound is being established as deliveries arrive, with the outgoing contractor’s plant being phased off site as GRS’s own crew, freshly inducted, take over. 

“That’s where our work happens. Our materials and our people, all confined and secure,” said foreman Jason Barrett, who is leading site operations from the outset as the black hat on the job. 

 “We’ve got the lads all inducted, everybody’s been through the process. They just follow our procedures now and we’re getting on with the job. Materials are being moved across the site, our works on the compound is nearing completion and the site is set up as per GRS standards – which is the same across every job.” 

The gang on site in Oldham reflects a workforce GRS says it has held onto for years rather than months. Groundworker Connah Murray has 11 years in the trade, while pipe layer Jacob McGrail has been in construction since the age of 16 and at the age of 21 has turned into a strong ‘ganger’ and one of the up and coming operations lads in the business. 

“It’s a transient industry - people do come and go but not so much here,” said Barrett. “But over the years, the lads don’t leave. And if they do they come back as they know we’re a good company that looks after out teams.” 

Tom Keane, owner and managing director at GRS, said the Chadderton scheme was another step in a relationship with Rowland Homes that continues to grow. 

“Every site brings its own technical demands, and this one is no different,” he said. 

 “The surface water package alone needs real capability to deliver properly. That’s exactly the kind of infrastructure work GRS is built and known for.” 

The Chadderton scheme adds to GRS’s active programme of work for Rowland Homes across the North West, with the business continuing to deliver civil engineering and highway infrastructure across multiple live sites simultaneously. 

Overseeing delivery is GRS contracts manager John Roughley, who has managed several of the contractor's Rowland Homes schemes and brings that continuity to Chadderton. 

He said: “The infrastructure package sets the pace for the whole development, so getting the drainage sequence right is what keeps the housebuilder moving. 

"We've delivered that for Rowland Homes on previous schemes and the aim here is exactly the same - no surprises, and a site they can build on."