Mill O Mains

McTaggart designed and delivered 48 new affordable homes in Mill O Mains, Dundee, for Home Group, including a dedicated block of eight extra care flats tailored specifically for Health and Social Care tenants. The mixed-tenure development brings together flats, cottage flats, terraced and semi-detached houses on a brownfield site previously occupied by maisonette housing.

All 48 homes were delivered to Housing for Varying Needs standards and Secured by Design principles. Before construction even began, McTaggart ran a 'Meet the Buyer' event in Dundee that opened the project's supply chain to 62 local businesses, six of whom were subsequently awarded work packages on the development.

The Mill O Mains site presented an unusual combination of challenges. A petrol station located centrally on the brownfield site split the development into north and south zones, requiring independent set-up, resourcing, and logistics management for each, effectively running two mini-sites simultaneously. Ground conditions across the site were poor, requiring Vibro Piling to achieve stability. This process was delayed by unidentified substructures and unrecorded legacy services. Contamination from the adjacent petrol station affected the public drainage system and required containment and remediation. Integrating the Health and Social Care extra care block into the broader residential layout required careful planning, accessibility, safety, and quality standards had to align with the overall development while meeting the specific operational needs of H&SC tenants. Additional engagement with H&SC stakeholders added complexity during preconstruction and construction phases.

Health and Social Care stakeholders were treated as specialist partners from the outset. They were involved in design reviews, site visits, and material and layout decision-making throughout the process. This approach resulted in homes that met both technical standards and the practical expectations of their future occupants. Monthly progress meetings were held with the client throughout. Local residents were kept informed through newsletters and signage. Premier Guarantee inspections were consistently positive. A building categorisation issue with Building Control and later fire integrity complications were identified and resolved, with handovers proceeding on the revised programme.

McTaggart's community investment at Mill O Mains began before construction started. A 'Meet the Buyer' event , run in partnership with Business Gateway and Dundee City Council, attracted 62 local businesses. Seventeen completed supplier vetting. Six were subsequently awarded work packages, generating direct economic benefit for Dundee's business community.

• 4 local jobs created directly by McTaggart
• 2 additional jobs created through subcontractors
• 6 local apprentices employed on site
• 50%+ of operatives living within 15 miles of the site
• 12 hours of education and employability support delivered
• Employability programmes with Dundee City Council's Employment & Training Unit
• Barnardo's 'New Reach' programme - work placements for participants interested in construction
• Developing the Young Workforce - industry awareness sessions and 12-week placements with CSCS accreditation

PV panels were installed across all blocks, with EV charging points provided in parking areas and ducting in place to extend charging to all plots in future, preparing the development for the transition to electric vehicles without requiring costly retrospective works. Surface water was managed using porous monoblock systems linked to the site's existing SUDS area, including an upgraded Hydrobrake manhole. The development was delivered to Bronze Standard with Silver aspects 1 and 2 under Regulation 7. The Health and Social Care extra care block was delivered in close collaboration with H&SC representatives,  with adapted finishes, layouts, and material choices confirmed through site visits and design reviews. The result is a block that meets both technical compliance and the practical day-to-day needs of its future residents.

McTaggart absorbed drainage diversions and design changes within the original contract budget, avoiding cost increases to the client despite changes in scope. Additional variations were identified, agreed, and completed at no charge,  protecting the client's budget while maintaining programme and quality. The project earned two awards during construction — independent recognition of the quality and community approach taken on site.