Groundforce Props Secure Clore Manor Hendon Care Home 2026

Key Points

• Groundforce Shorco supplied nine modular hydraulic props for a 4m-deep basement excavation at Clore Manor care home site in Hendon, north London.
• The project replaces a 72-room care home with a new six-storey facility featuring 108 bedrooms and underground parking, led by Care Concern Group and main contractor Farrans.
• Excavation measures 50m by 40m on a confined site along the Great North Way, near homes and a busy road.
• Secant-piled retaining wall braced by six MP150 props (7.3m to 10.3m) on the northern perimeter and three MP375 props on the eastern side for a deeper attenuation tank.
• Marney Construction handles bulk earthmoving and civils work.
• MP375 props chosen for stiffness to meet ±10mm deflection tolerance set by Franki Piling, not maximum load capacity.
• Gerard Fennell, Farrans project manager, praised Groundforce Shorco’s professionalism.
• Construction expected to be completed late 2027; piling until November 2025.
• Care Concern Group operates over 7,000 employees across England, Scotland, Wales, providing residential, nursing, dementia, and respite care.

Hendon (North London News) April 10, 2026 –Groundforce Shorco has supplied nine modular hydraulic props to support basement excavation at the Clore Manor care home redevelopment site. The social care provider Care Concern Group appointed main contractor Farrans to demolish the existing 72-room facility and build a new six-storey care home with 108 bedrooms and underground parking on a confined plot south of Great North Way.

What Props Were Installed at Clore Manor?

The excavation reaches 4m deep and spans approximately 50m by 40m, covering nearly the site’s full footprint. Sides feature a secant-piled retaining wall braced by Groundforce Shorco raking props, transferring lateral loads from the capping beam to concrete thrust blocks at the formation level.

Specialist subcontractor Marney Construction, based in Southend, carries out bulk earthmoving and civils. Six MP150 props, lengths 7.3m to 10.3m, line the exposed northern perimeter near homes.

On the eastern side next to the main road, three MP375 props support the wall over a deeper secondary excavation for an attenuation tank in the sustainable urban drainage system.

Why MP375 Props for This Project?

The MP375 is Groundforce’s second-highest capacity hydraulic ram, compatible with 610mm to 1,220mm tube diameters, supporting up to 375t (3,677kN).

As reported by an unnamed journalist of Infrastructure Now, Groundforce Shorco area manager Ken Sandell stated:

“The loads involved here aren’t especially high but the deflection criteria was quite tight due to surrounding structures and the main road. Franki Piling, who installed the retaining wall and carried out the geotechnical calculations, set a tolerance of plus or minus 10mm of deflection. So we used the MP375s mainly for their stiffness which minimises movement to comply with the deflection limits.”

Ken Sandell added:

“The design was developed through close collaboration with our engineers and the client’s design team.”

How Challenging Is the Clore Manor Site?

The project faces tight constraints from proximity to homes, a busy road, and a confined footprint. Gerard Fennell, Farrans’ project manager, said:

“This is a challenging project, with tight constraints due to the close proximity of nearby structures and residents while forming a deep basement.”

Gerard Fennell continued:

“Groundforce has been superb on Clore Manor. They have been very professional, approachable and flexible, working closely with our design team and subcontractor to develop a design that is robust and practical.”

As reported by an unnamed journalist of The Care Home Environment, Farrans’ contracts manager Clare Taylor stated:

“We are delighted to be on site with this exciting project for our new client Care Concern Group. We have already erected new hoarding and installed our site welfare before constructing a new entrance road and undertaking ground excavation works in preparation for the piling activity which will run until November 2025.”

Clare Taylor noted:

“This is going to be a challenging project on a tight site footprint, beside a busy road and involving a lot of ground preparation to facilitate new basement levels, but we are well prepared with an excellent team on site. Farrans has an extensive portfolio of delivering for the care sector across England. In fact, we previously delivered neighbouring property Signature at Hendon Hall for Signature Care Homes so it is nice to be back in an area we have worked in before.”

What Is the Clore Manor Project Timeline?

Construction began in 2025, with piling works scheduled until November 2025. Full completion is expected in late 2027.

The site at 160-162 Great North Way, Hendon, NW4 1EH, in the London Borough of Barnet, previously held a three-storey care home.

Farrans is designing and constructing the modern six-floor structure.

Who Are the Key Players Involved?

Care Concern Group, an independent operator in England, Scotland, and Wales, manages a diverse portfolio for residential, nursing, dementia, and respite care, employing over 7,000 people. The group invests in its portfolio and future developments.

Farrans Construction serves as the main contractor.

Marney Construction was awarded the civils package, including communal and staff facilities in the 108-bed home.

Franki Piling installed the secant-piled wall and performed geotechnical calculations.

Groundforce Shorco provided the propping solution.

What Coverage Has the Project Received?

Multiple outlets reported the propping installation around April 9-10, 2026. Infrastructure Now detailed the props’ specifications and quotes from Ken Sandell and Gerard Fennell.

Geomechanics.io summarised the setup, noting MP375’s deflection role.

Earlier coverage from August 2025 by The Care Home Environment and Farrans’ site focused on the construction start and Clare Taylor’s comments.

Construction Mag UK and The Construction Index echoed site challenges and timeline in February 2026 and August 2025.

LinkedIn posts from Focused Construction News highlighted Marney’s award.

Construction Map lists client and address details.

No additional quotes or conflicting details emerged from sources.

The development underscores engineering solutions for urban care home upgrades amid space limitations. It maintains site operations without reported disruptions to locals or traffic as of April 10, 2026.

Background of the Development

The Clore Manor site previously housed a three-storey, 72-room care home operated by Care Concern Group on the south side of Great North Way in Hendon, London Borough of Barnet.

Care Concern Group sought expansion to meet growing demand, appointing Farrans in 2025 for demolition and rebuild.

Initial works included hoarding, welfare facilities, entrance road, and ground preparation ahead of piling by Franki Piling.

Basement excavation followed, requiring propping due to the site’s constraints near residential areas and the A406 road.

Marney Construction joined for earthworks, aligning with the project’s civil needs.

The design incorporates sustainable features like the attenuation tank for rainwater management.

Farrans’ prior local experience, including Signature at Hendon Hall, informed site logistics.

Prediction: Impact on Local Residents and Care Home Users

This development can increase care capacity in Hendon from 72 to 108 bedrooms, providing more residential, nursing, dementia, and respite places for Barnet’s ageing population.

Local residents near Great North Way may experience construction phases until late 2027, including excavation and building works, though tight deflection controls minimise risks to nearby structures and road stability.

Underground parking reduces surface traffic impact post-completion.

Care Concern Group’s expansion supports ongoing service for over 7,000 employees’ clients, potentially easing regional shortages without disrupting existing care during the rebuild.

Sustainable drainage via the attenuation tank aids flood prevention in the urban area.