The team at one of the island’s leading building contractors are celebrating after scooping their second award for being committed to the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

Cedar Developments Limited concentrates entirely on island based projects.

The people who work for the business based at Snugborough Trading Estate, Braddan, have been working very hard setting high standards within the private, commercial, industrial and public sectors of the industry.

Director Alex Burnett and senior contracts manager Steve Dempsey recently returned from a prestigious awards ceremony at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester where they received a coveted award at the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s National Site Awards 2017.

It was a bronze award for the team’s work on the refurbishment and internal alterations of Douglas Steam Railway station.

It was the second time Cedar had won such an award, having won accolades for the work the company did on a private dwelling in St Judes a couple of years ago.

The annual awards, run by the Scheme, recognise the highest levels of consideration and care shown by a construction site towards their local neighbourhood, the general public, their workforce and the environment.

Only 10 per cent of the sites registered in the construction industry across the UK achieved such high standards this year from more than 8,500, making Cedar Developments’ achievement particularly significant for themselves and the Isle of Man in general. Chairman of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, David Watson, said: ’Sites that achieve these awards have proven their commitment to considerate construction and continue to set ever higher standards. I would like to congratulate this site and thank them for their hard work and dedication towards improving the image of construction.’

In a joint statement Mr Burnett and Mr Dempsey said: ’As a building company we have chosen to register our own sites. This is not a tender requirement, it is something that we hope will send out the correct message to our clients and the general public that we do care and that we look forward to continuing to provide a professional service to the island’s construction industry and to receive further recognition for our efforts.’

They said the redevelopment of Douglas Railway Station ’was a challenge and on completion is a project we are proud to have been involved with.’

Cedar say it is no secret that times have been difficult over the last few years within the construction industry.

’In times such as these as a company we need to present ourselves well and in achieving such awards hopefully gives us the edge and potential customers old and new acknowledge our efforts and achievements.

’Winning these awards among some of the major recognised UK construction company representatives is a satisfying experience.

’While getting up on stage to receive our award you could not help but feel that we were making our mark and at the same time representing the Isle of Man construction industry.

’The entire management team and workforce of Cedar Developments Limited are very pleased to receive this award and will continue to provide a quality service with consideration to the general public and look forward to further recognition in working with clients and architects through the construction process.’

Cedar was established in 1994 as a labour contracting company and since then has moved forward to being one of the main building contractors in the island.

According to the Considerate Constructors scheme, the team at Cedar ’demonstrated an extraordinary commitment’ to improving the image of construction through adhering to the Scheme’s five-point Code of Considerate Practice:

lCare about appearance

lRespect the community

lProtect the environment

lSecure everyone’s safety and

lValue the workforce

Mr Dempsey told Business News: ’It was such a great achievement for a Manx company representing the Isle of Man to be recognised in this way.’

Cedar are also proud to be involved in continuing to employ regular apprentices in all trades.

Mr Burnett and Mr Dempsey said: ’The construction industry provides a great career opportunity for young people to consider, leading them through to a professional posution.

’We would always encourage young people to join a profession that makes a difference by leaving land marks for life. When you look out of your window wherever you are all you can see is various forms of construction.’

Director Alex Burnett, right, and senior contracts manager Steve Dempsey with the award certificate