How MMC is shaping regeneration

Successful regeneration stories run on ambition and partnership – two themes that should filter straight through from the masterplan to the project level, write Angela Mansell and Darren Perkins.

The use of modern methods of construction shows how embracing innovation and putting transparency at the heart of partnership can ensure those ambitions become reality.

This is evidenced by Oak Construction Projects and Mansell Building Solutions’ work delivering the £10m Bosden at Stopford Park in Stockport.

The project from developer Cityheart demonstrates how early engagement and collaborative working can transform outcomes – delivering certainty, speed, and quality in an industry often challenged by risk and complexity.

Bosden at Stopford Park is a six-storey block of 62 apartments and is part of Cityheart’s wider vision for the site, which also includes the delivery of residential blocks Torkington and Lyme, and the Cheers & Smith workspace building.

Stopford Park itself sits within Stockport’s £1bn Town Centre West masterplan, led by Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation.

For Bosden at Stopford Park, Mansell was appointed by Oak as specialist MMC contractor, delivering off-site panelised light gauge steel frames and internal finishes. Manufacturing began in summer 2025 at Mansell’s Chadderton factory, with erection starting in July.

Bosden at Stopford Park demonstrates how modern methods of construction deliver tangible benefits when paired with strong partnerships.

In this example, prefabrication at Mansell’s Factory enabled a 15% faster timeline, fewer weather delays, and reduced onsite labour compared to traditional concrete builds.

The frame programme, initially scheduled for 80 days by Mansell, was completed in 70 – accelerating follow-on trades for Oak and providing programme certainty.

For Oak, this meant a predictable programme, fewer onsite issues, and peace of mind – a stark contrast to the uncertainty that often plagues conventional construction.

By involving Mansell’s in-house design manager, Courtney McLoughlin (a RIBA-qualified architect), at an early stage, the project benefited from proactive design input and open cost advice. This ensured buildability and compliance were locked in before a single panel left Mansell’s factory.

The transparent approach also extended to the tendering process, providing cost certainty for the client. Both teams worked in partnership to maintain exit costs in line with entry costs, with full transparency at every stage of delivery.

Both teams attended detailed frame, dry-lining, and fire-stopping design meetings, to ensure everyone was aligned and satisfied with the outcome. As mentioned earlier, this early collaboration paid off at Bosden at Stopford Park: the frame programme was bettered by 10-days, enabling other trades to start sooner.

Transparency throughout each stage not only delivers cost and build certainty but also fosters stronger relationships and trust between main contractors and specialist contractors.

The success at Bosden at Stopford Park has paved the way for a new chapter. Oak and Mansell are now collaborating on Corner Plot in Rochdale for Rochdale Council.

Opposite Rochdale Railway Station, the new part six-storey, part three storey building would contain 33 apartments. The curved building, named ‘Corner Plot’, would have four commercial units on the ground floor alongside a foyer for residents. This scheme combines new-build elements with the sensitive refurbishment of a listed building.

This will be a 52-week programme for Oak, delivering 33 high-quality apartments for the rental market.

To get the project rolling, Mansell’s light gauge steel frame will begin to be manufactured at their MMC Factory in the first quarter of the year to be ready to delivered and erected on site in Q2.

As this is the second project Mansell are delivering for Oak it will benefit from the same principles: proactive design collaboration, transparent cost planning, and a factory-led approach that reduces risk and will hopefully once again accelerate delivery over the elements Mansell are involved in.

This level of collaboration is not just good practice – it’s essential for MMC to succeed. When design, procurement, and delivery align under a shared vision, risk reduces and confidence grows.

As the North West accelerates its regeneration agenda, the Bosden at Stopford Park and Rochdale experiences offer a clear lesson: early engagement and collaborative partnerships are not optional – they are the foundation for smarter, more sustainable building.

For developers, contractors, and local authorities, the message is simple: involve your delivery partners early, build relationships based on trust, and embrace innovation with confidence. The result? Projects delivered faster, safer, and with certainty.