A regional housebuilder welcomed students and lecturers from Harper Adams University to its Newport development to help them in their studies.
Nine post-graduate Rural Estate and Land Management students were invited along to Oak Tree Gardens, in Audley Avenue, a new development being built by Persimmon Homes West Midlands.
Lecturer David Jasper, who also joined the site visit, approached the housebuilder as he felt it would be a positive experience for the students to see first-hand the construction process.
He said: “We were delighted when Persimmon Homes agreed to the visit. It is great for the students to see in a practical setting what has been learned in the classroom, especially as many of them have never been on site.”
The visit was led by Craig Thomas, contracts manager for Persimmon Homes West Midlands and Oak Tree Gardens site manager Sean Oram.
Mr Jasper added; “The insight that the visit gave us, as regards the construction process, management of the site and how problems and issues are dealt with, was invaluable. There is only so much you can do in the classroom, so it was great for the students to see, hear and smell a building site.”
Student David Roberts, from Tamworth, said: “It is the first time I have been on site and good to see the different stages of the construction process in action.”
Stephen Cleveley, director-in-charge of Persimmon Homes West Midlands, said: “We strongly believe in supporting the communities where we build, and Harper Adams University has such a tremendous reputation for the education it provides that we were delighted to be able to help in this way. After all, these students may well be the future of construction.”
Oak Tree Gardens will provide 102 homes in the first phase. The properties will be a mix of three, four and five-bedroom homes. Construction is well under way and five-bedroom Corfe showhome is due to open in June, with the first homeowners completing late summer.
