Curo News

Collaborating to train the next generation of builders

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 10:00:00 Z

We’re proud to be working with local partners at Bath College and the University of Bath to help boost local skills in construction.

Construction is one of many industries crucial to the UK economy, but it’s also one of the hardest hit by recent labour shortages. In fact, it currently has the second-worst workforce shortage in the country. That’s why we’re committed to addressing this challenge by supporting local people into high-skilled jobs and sustainable employment.

Our employability service, Work Wise, connects local people with training and employment opportunities—including those at our flagship development, Mulberry Park. Since the site received outline planning permission in 2015, we’ve helped create 32 apprenticeships, 164 new jobs with local training, and 399 work placements in the community.

Over the last few months, we’ve welcomed students from the University of Bath’s Civil Engineering courses and Bath College’s Construction programme to Mulberry Park, giving them a first-hand look at a live construction site. These visits provide valuable insights into modern building methods and innovative design principles, showcasing the thought and care that go into creating neighbourhoods like Mulberry Park.

University of Bath students and lecturer, Gavin Knowles, in front of the latest phase of development

During the tours, students had the chance to see Phase 2 of Mulberry Park in progress. This next phase builds upon the existing amenities, which already include a primary school and community centre, and will soon feature shops and other facilities to enhance the neighbourhood even further.

Our Senior Site Manager, Alan Mapston, shared his thoughts: “It’s been fantastic to welcome students from Bath College and the University of Bath back to the site. Their enthusiasm for construction and architecture is always inspiring, and it’s rewarding to share our journey as Mulberry Park continues to grow. We’re proud to support future professionals in their learning and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make in the industry.”

We’ve also had great feedback from our partners:

Gavin Knowles, Director of Studies in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University of Bath, said: “We are always looking for interesting Civil Engineering projects in the local area, and the Curo team at Mulberry Park have been so accommodating in showing our students around the site with so much enthusiasm. A live construction site is such a valuable teaching tool and shows our future Engineers how building designs go together both physically and logistically. We’ve really valued this continued partnership.”

Karen Simmons, Employability and Engagement Officer at Bath College, added: “Visiting a live site and talking to experienced people already working in construction really helps to bring the learning to life and inspire our students on their future career journeys. It’s a valuable asset to our courses, and we are very grateful to be working with Curo.”

Curo and B&NES collect award for outstanding workmanship at Woodland View in Hygge Park, Keynsham

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 16:39:55 Z

(image above - one of Curo's houses in Woodland View in Hygge Park, Keynsham)

Housing association and housebuilder Curo, jointly with the Local Authority Building Control Team at Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES), have been awarded a high commendation in the West of England regional division of the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Awards.

The LABC Building Excellence Awards honour exceptional projects and individual achievements in the construction sector – focusing on the very best in technical innovation and construction quality. Falling under the ‘Best High-Volume New Housing Development’ category, this award recognises ‘outstanding construction and workmanship’ at Curo’s new development in Hygge Park, Keynsham.

Simon Collins, Construction Operations Director at Curo, said ‘We're thrilled and honoured to have received this award. At Curo, we put our residents first - right from the start and throughout all project phases. Receiving this award for outstanding construction and workmanship is a credit to our excellent construction and development teams, and highlights the care that we put into each phase of our developments.”

The scheme shortlisted, Woodland View, is a Curo development of 56 new homes in Hygge Park –a wider development of 250 homes. Curo purchased a parcel of land in 2019, from national developer Crest Nicholson and developed a mix of affordable and open-market new homes.

Of the total number of homes built, 12 were developed for affordable housing and 44 for open market sales. Additionally, Curo acquired every affordable home built in the wider Hygge Park development, including 6 flats for supported accommodation and 4 houses with wheelchair accessibility, delivering a total of 78 new, affordable houses, including 20 shared-ownership units and 58 for social rent.

Bristol Cabinet Member for Housing impressed with progress of new homes in Lawrence Weston

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 11:01:47 Z

Image above (R-L): Homes England Head of Provider Management, John Kearney, Curo Head of Construction, Paul Fackrell, Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, Curo Health and Safety Manager, Andrew Culverhouse, Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, Councillor Tom Renhard, Homes England Senior Manager, Helen Bone, and Kensa Contracting Managing Director, David Broom, at Curo's development of 128 new homes, Century Park, in Lawrence Weston, Bristol.

Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, Councillor Tom Renhard, visited Curo’s Century Park and The Willows developments in Lawrence Weston to see the construction progress of 185 new homes for the city.

More than half of the new homes currently being delivered by Curo across the two schemes will be much-needed affordable housing for local families.

Cllr Renhard was accompanied on the visit by Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, and Homes England’s Head of Provider Management, John Kearney and Senior Manager, Helen Bone.

At Century Park, where Curo has already welcomed eight families this year, they visited the recently launched show home and saw how ground source heat pumps work. All homes at Century Park benefit from heat pumps, a greener, more environmentally-friendly way to provide domestic heating and hot water compared to gas boilers.

When completed, Century Park will deliver 128 homes in total, including 29 homes for social rent and nine homes for shared ownership.

At The Willows, where Curo is working with contractor Jehu Group to deliver the regeneration scheme, Cllr Renhard met James Beck, a local resident who is now employed as part of the building team on site.

Image above: Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, Councillor Tom Renhard (left) with Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha (right) and Lawrence Weston resident, James Beck (centre), who is now part of the construction team at Curo's development of 57 new affordable homes at The Willows in Lawrence Weston, Bristol.

Due to be completed by the end of the year, The Willows will provide 38 homes for social and affordable rent and 19 homes for shared ownership. The project benefits from a Homes England grant of just over £2.8 million, alongside Curo’s investment of almost £5.7 million.

Curo will also refurbish an existing block of 12 apartments which will benefit from external panelling, new windows and new electricity supplies. The improvements will help reduce heating bills and increase comfort for residents.

Councillor Tom Renhard, Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes says: “I’m impressed with the progress Curo is making in Lawrence Weston to deliver these much-needed new homes, while supporting the community and local economy. It’s fantastic that more than half of the new homes will be affordable housing, with many benefitting from low carbon ground source heat pumps. This will help many local families to live in good quality, future proof homes which will also support our city to move to closer to its net zero carbon ambitions.”

Image above: Representatives from Curo, Bristol City Council, the government's housing agency Homes England and contractor Jehu Group at Curo's development of 57 new affordable homes in Lawrence Weston, The Willows.

Victor says: “These new affordable homes will change the lives of many families struggling to take a first step on the property ladder or rent affordably in the local area. But our homes for sale are also helping young couples to achieve their homeownership dreams close to their families and friends – the majority of our new residents at Century Park so far are people under 35 years of age from Lawrence Weston, Shirehampton, Avonmouth and Brentry and most have purchased their homes with Help to Buy, available only on new-builds.

“Our developments in Lawrence Weston are great examples of partnership working between a housing association, the local authority and the government’s housing agency. We worked closely with Bristol City Council to secure the sites, while Homes England grant funding is making it possible for us to deliver a 100% affordable housing scheme at The Willows.”

Housing association Curo and contractor Jehu inspire Bristol’s next generation of builders

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 06:45:04 Z

More than 60 children from Oasis Academy Bank Leaze in Lawrence Weston, Bristol, visited the nearby affordable housing development at The Willows to learn about construction in a fun-filled session organised by housing association and housebuilder Curo and contractor Jehu Group.

Children from Nursery and Reception had the opportunity to see how plant machinery works, including a crane raising timber frames and excavators digging foundations for the new homes. They also learnt about roofs, what they’re made of and how they are installed on new build homes.

But by far the children’s favourite activity was trying their hand at bricklaying, with help from contractor DTM Brick N Stone. Every pupil had the chance to help build a brick wall, with varying degrees of success.

Oasis Academy Bank Leaze teacher, Mrs Georgina Fitz-Gerald, says: “This has been such a fantastic activity for the children, and we’re grateful to Curo and Jehu for helping us to inspire future generations of professionals as part of the current term’s Early Years Foundation Stage topic, ‘when I grow up’.

“The trip was a great opportunity for children to learn about the different construction trades involved in building a house in a practical way, outside of the traditional classroom setting. Pupils and teachers alike, we’ve all had a brilliant day and I’m sure we’ll be talking about it for months to come!”

Curo is currently building 57 new affordable homes with contractor Jehu Group at The Willows development, at Corbet Close in Lawrence Weston, Bristol.

Curo Deputy Managing Director of Housebuilding, Sarah Maylor, says: “It was wonderful to welcome pupils from Oasis Academy to our development to show them the fun side of construction in a safe environment. We loved seeing them engage with all the hands-on activities and hope that we’ve been able to stir up their interest in these highly skilled and very rewarding trades that make up the housebuilding sector.”

Jehu Group Site Manager for The Willows, Tomasz Magiera, says: “We’re delighted to work with Curo at The Willows in Lawrence Weston – together we’re not just building new homes, but also investing in the local economy and skills and supporting communities.

“It was great to see so many young children getting excited about construction and we’re pleased that we were able to put a smile on their faces and make this experience possible for them.”

This is the third time Curo and Jehu Group have partnered with Oasis Academy Bank Leaze. Not long after the start of construction works at The Willows, the pupils took part in a drawing and painting competition, with their artwork now proudly displayed on the construction site’s hoardings. More recently, Curo and Jehu Group created a sensory garden for the school, to help promote the pupils’ wellbeing and mental health.

Enter the construction industry

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 11:08:33 Z

There's an exciting opportunity to start a career in construction!

Call 01934 411 147 to book your place.

Get into construction - Information session

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 12:13:57 Z

Are you looking to get into the construction industry?

Curo along with Bath College, the Department for Work and Pensions and construction firm MadiganGill are running a course designed for people aspiring to work in the construction industry.

As well as a guaranteed interview with an employer, successful completion of this course and the CITB test, will qualify you to apply for the CSCS labourers' card which will be paid for.

This course will be running from Monday 17 January 2022. For more information join us for a virtual general information session on Monday 10 January at 2pm.

For more information and to book your place, contact our Workwise Team.

Curo site managers in Bath and Keynsham scoop double win at building awards

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:59:32 Z

Two site managers from housing association and house-builder Curo have received the National House Building Council’s 2021 Pride in the Job Quality Award.

Alan Mapston, senior site manager at Mulberry Park in Bath and Lee Watts, senior site manager at Woodland View at Hygge Park in Keynsham were recognised for their dedication, leadership and the high standards achieved at their respective developments.

Often referred to as the ‘Oscars of the house-building industry’, the Pride in the Job Awards celebrate the vital role that site managers play in ensuring new homes are constructed on time, on safe sites and to the highest quality standards.

The competition endorses the best site managers from across the country, following a rigorous and lengthy judging process that looks at key areas such as leadership, technical expertise, health and safety and attention to detail.

Alan Mapston, Curo Senior Site Manager at Mulberry Park, Bath

Married father-of-two, Alan, who in his spare time enjoys a spot of fishing and tinkering in the garage with his classic motorcycles, says:

“I’m very pleased to have won this award for our Mulberry Park site. Building homes of such high quality in a safe, timely and cost-effective way is certainly a team effort and I work alongside some fantastic people here at Mulberry Park, from my two assistant site managers, Grant Wells and Lee Clarke, to our trusted contractors.

“Our focus is always on building beautiful, high quality homes for our customers and I think the award recognises this.”

Lee Watts, Curo Senior Site Manager at Woodland View at Hygge Park, Keynsham

Bristol Rovers and Bristol Bears supporter Lee likes snowboarding and weekends away when possible. This is Lee’s second Pride in the Job Award, having won his first in 2013. He says:

“I’m proud of our Woodland View development where our customer satisfaction rate is 100%. This is a true reflection of how we build our homes, our focus on quality and attention to detail.

“I’m delighted with this recognition, not just for myself but for the entire team here at Woodland View who are working hard to make our customers happy – our contractors, labourers and my assistant site manager Steve Weymouth.”

Mulberry Park is a contemporary development of almost 700 homes, open spaces and community facilities in Combe Down, Bath. This thriving new neighbourhood has already delivered more than 380 homes and is due to complete in 2026.

Woodland View is creating 56 high-quality new homes within the larger Hygge Park scheme and is anticipated to complete in Spring 2022.

Curo resumes construction operations

Mon, 11 May 2020 13:44:16 Z

Curo’s housebuilding division is today re-opening construction sites across the West of England, in line with government instructions and the three-step plan to end the coronavirus lockdown unveiled on Sunday 10 May. Prime Minister Boris Johnson actively encouraged construction and manufacturing operations to resume while urging companies and workers to continue to observe physical distancing measures.

Curo closed all sites on Friday 27 March, following the lockdown announcement. While the government’s guidance did not require building works to stop, Curo – like many other housebuilders – took the decision to do so in order to support the national effort to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

This allowed the necessary time to prepare for a safe return on site by putting in place measures to enable our workforce to adhere to government and industry bodies’ sector-specific guidance for construction works during the COVID-19 outbreak.

To ensure the safety of our site colleagues, the communities we work in and the wider public, we are following the Construction Leadership Council’s latest version of the Site Operating Procedures (SOP V3). This sets out how construction sites should manage the risk of COVID-19 spread through practices such as physical distancing, increased cleaning regimes and personal hygiene.

Curo remains fully committed to protecting public health while continuing to deliver much-needed new homes across our region.

Our construction sites are closing Friday 27th March

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 15:33:34 Z

Updated 15:40hrs - 24th March

While the government guidance issued 23rd March is specifically allowing construction works to carry on, we’ve taken the decision to temporarily close all our sites as of Friday 27th March. We’re doing this to protect our colleagues, contractors and the wider communities against the spread of COVID-19.

The minimum number of colleagues will be present on sites until the end of the week, carrying out essential and necessary work to ensure the safe and secure closure of our sites.

This work is being carried out in the safest manner possible in keeping with Health, Safety & Environment (HSE), Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) and Build UK guidelines. Our construction colleagues are observing social distancing rules and are fully committed to supporting the national effort to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

This temporary measure will be in place for 3 weeks in the first instance. We will review and update this information regularly.