Being delivered by main contractor McLaren Construction for client TJ Morris, the project will see the creation of a new Home Bargains distribution centre.  McCoy Contractors’ scope of works comprises the full delivery of groundworks including the installation of all structural foundations across the site. This is complemented by the construction of a comprehensive drainage network, incorporating both foul and surface water systems, alongside the installation of essential services infrastructure for power, water and communications. In addition, McCoy is responsible for the installation of largescale stormwater interceptor tanks, which form a key component of the site’s longterm water management and sustainability strategy.

At a size of over 1 million sq ft, the project has required vast volumes of concrete, creating a complex challenge in terms of supply, timing and environmental impact. Traditionally, such demand would rely heavily on a continuous flow of ready‑mixed concrete deliveries from off‑site plants. Instead, McCoy Contractors made the strategic decision to establish a fully operational concrete batching plant directly on site.

This solution has eliminated the need for daily concrete deliveries, with concrete batched by the McCoys team as required. As a result, McCoy has significantly reduced vehicle movements, improved operational flexibility and delivered tangible environmental benefits.

To date, McCoy Contractors has laid 26,000 cubic metres of concrete on the project. This volume equates to approximately 3,250 individual truckloads that would otherwise have been required from external batching plants. With the nearest concrete supplier located around 10 miles from the site, the on‑site batching plant has removed an estimated 65,000 miles of vehicle travel, resulting in a saving of approximately 130 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

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Beyond the environmental gains, the on‑site batching plant has provided critical resilience to one of the construction industry’s most challenging variables: the British weather.

“On projects like this, weather plays a huge role in how we programme concrete works,” commented Chris Haughey, Managing Director at McCoy Contractors. “Traditionally, we have to monitor the forecast closely. If it looks like the next day is going to be dry, we order the concrete trucks accordingly; if it looks wet, we don’t. However, the Great British weather - and the forecasts that come with it - aren’t always accurate.”

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“We’ve experienced days where rain was predicted, and if we had been relying on truck, we would have cancelled deliveries only to find the rain never arrived. The on‑site batching plant removes that dependency. It allows us to produce concrete on demand, meaning we’re no longer subject to the ever‑changing weather or the inaccuracies of forecasts.”

This ability to pivot at short notice has helped McCoy maintain momentum on critical construction activities, reducing downtime and enhancing programme certainty on a project of significant scale.

The introduction of the on‑site batching plant reflects McCoy Contractors’ commitment to innovative problem‑solving and sustainable construction practices. By rethinking conventional supply models, the company has improved efficiency, reduced environmental impact and delivered a robust solution tailored to the specific demands of the project.

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As the Doncaster B&M facility progresses, the approach stands as a clear example of how intelligent planning, investment in innovation and a willingness to challenge traditional methods can deliver measurable benefits for clients, communities and the environment alike.