How quickly time flies by. Is it really already month since Christmas?! It is indeed!
So it is worthwhile giving a quick look back over the last few months and a look forward to hopefully what will be an extremely exciting year on site.
If you have been following this blog you will probably be aware we completed the
refurbishment of ‘Phase 1’ of the project back in April 2012 which allowed
Herefordshire County Council to move to their new location on the opposite side
of the Masters House.
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| April 2012 - Just as the works to 'Phase 1' were being completed |
This move left the
rest of the building empty - which allowed us to strip out the building to
reveal the fabulous medieval structure that had been hidden behind centuries of
alterations.
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| The Medieval structure contained within the more recent shell of the building |
A number of public Hard Hat Days were held, together with group specific visits from the local schools & Friends of the Masters House - meaning that around nearly a thousand visitors have come to site to look around whilst the works are in progress.
Since the completion of the strip out in the summer
very little actual construction work has taken place. However, we and the
design team have been busy behind the scenes working on the plans for Phase 2 -
and applications for grants to the Heritage Lottery Fund submitted. The result
of which will be known around Easter time.
Shopmobility who also occupied part of the building
have also been moved into the old Ambulance Station in Bye Street – and parking
for the users of their facilities has been created.
In preparation for a hopefully successful
application, we have undertaken works to increase the number of car parking spaces
to offset those which have now been taken up by our compound and the erection
of a large tent like scaffold which will encapsulation the building. The end
result of these alterations is that despite first impressions there is actually
the same number of spaces available for parking as there was before the works
started.
Local residents and Car Park users will doubt have noticed that despite rather snowy conditions the scaffold erection has commenced this week and
will take place over the next couple of months. It will fully encapsulate the
building and allow for the removal of the roof whilst protecting the precious
timbers from the weather.
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| Scaffolding being erected looking from the direction of the 'Alms Houses' |
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| Access Scaffolding on the South Side of the Building |
As ever during our time on site we will endeavor to
ensure that our employees and subcontractors perform in the most courteous
manner possible with the minimum of disruption for you. A large percentage of the construction team
are Ledbury residents and, as such, understand the ongoing concerns over the
impact that these works may have on the surrounding area, the public and local businesses.
The site is registered under the Considerate
Constructors Scheme; an independently assessed scheme which monitors our
activities in a number of key areas designed to both minimise the impact of our
works, but also our contribution to the local area. For more information on the
scheme visit www.ccscheme.org.uk.
If, at any time, you wish to raise query or concern
regarding the works, please contact either our resident Site Manager Ed
Mandrell on 07976763579, or visiting Contracts Manager Pat Gorin on 07817240153.
