SML January 2013 Update

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.  

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.

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.

Scaffolding being erected looking from the direction of the 'Alms Houses'

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.