Arkle Court provides locals with new pathways into work

The £50m Arkle Court development by Wavensmere Homes which is on track to bring 147 new homes to the former North Place car park in Cheltenham, is also creating wider benefits for the community. This forms part of Cheltenham Borough Council’s ongoing social value promise to engage with and give back to local people, strengthening the local economy to provide positive and long-lasting change to the town.

The project is already delivering on the council’s commitment to put local communities first, with a strong focus on employment opportunities. To support this, local construction recruitment agency, ITS Construction, has been reaching out to people who are primarily from Cheltenham and nearby communities. These roles include a range of site-based and support positions, enabling local people to work closer to home.

Forklift driver Vlad and cleaner Leanne are already experiencing the benefits of working on the site.

Vlad said: “Working all over Gloucestershire and even Oxfordshire, it’s really nice to have this job… which allows me to cycle to work and I don’t have to spend money on petrol. It gives me more time for myself and I’m really happy to be here”.

Leanne added “It’s great to work locally in Cheltenham. It means I can commute without having to pay for travel as I only live down the road. It’s great as it fits in with childcare, I can pick up my son from school … and it’s given me great opportunities”.

Councillor Rowena Hay, leader of the council said: “We understand the importance of local labour, accessible job opportunities and the development of ongoing skills. The Arkle Court project is a great example of how we are achieving more than the delivery of much needed housing. Working in partnership with Wavensmere Homes and ITS construction, together we are making a difference to local residents by supporting family life through employment that is meaningful. It’s great to see social value in action, which is strengthening the local economy and already providing long-lasting benefits to the area.”

James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “This really is a great example of partnership working in action. There is a real demand for homes at Arkle Court and there is also a need for local employment too, working closely with the council and ITS construction, together we’re putting local workers first through the creation of jobs, this includes opportunities for them to develop their skills too. It’s great to see the difference this is making to the town and the lives of local residents.”

Chris Booth, director at ITS said: “It’s always great to see new developments reshaping our town and here at ITS, we’re always looking at opportunities to work with local construction workers. Our presence in the area, allows us to meet and source local candidates, providing more employment opportunities closer to home. We understand the benefits local working can have and the difference it can make to life outside of work, giving people more time whilst helping them save money. We are delighted to support the council and Wavensmere homes in delivering this project which is already having a real positive impact on the lives of local residents.”

Cheltenham Borough Council and Wavensmere Homes will continue to work with ITS Construction to deliver on employment opportunities that directly benefit people who live in Cheltenham. ITS will also provide ongoing training and support for workers. Ensuring they receive the help they need to maintain and develop their skills throughout their placement.

Image for single use only L-R Josh (local worker), Louis Crawford (Regional business development manager at ITS Construction), Vlad (local worker)

For more information, watch our video on delivering social value at Arkle Court with Wavensmere Homes and ITS Construction

Note to editors:

Temporary labour for the development is supplied by ITS Construction, a locally based construction recruitment agency. Being based in the area allows ITS to personally interview each candidate, ensuring they are suitable for the role while supporting local employment.

Current locally sourced temporary roles on site include:

• Site manager
• Forklift driver
• Traffic marshall
• Site cleaner

ITS Construction ensures that all staff supplied to the development hold the correct qualifications and certificates relevant to their role and are fully equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) before starting on site.

In addition, ITS Construction provides ongoing training and support to workers, helping them maintain and develop their skills throughout their placement. The agency carries out regular site visits, maintaining close communication with site management and providing progress and performance updates to support safe, efficient, and well-managed delivery of the project.