1. Introduction/Summary

1.1 Following the approval of the grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the implementation strategy was established and discussed with the HLF on 12 January 2001 and the basis for the monitoring documents was approved on 5 July 2001.

1.2 The scheme is being developed in two main parts, ie the buildings and the landscaping works. Each of these are further divided into phases with some overlap between the two.

a Buildings - these comprise advanced works and three major phases. The advance works to the Sawmills and Terrace are on site. The first of the major phases is the Ornamental Farm, with the remainder of the building works comprising the "Follies" and the "Visitor's Centre".

b Landscaping. This comprises four phases - car park/play area/farmyard; Ferme Ornee; pleasure grounds; main drives and paths, etc.

1.3 This report provides a brief update on progress

2. Progress

2.1 Building - advanced works: Terrace and Sawmills contract commenced on site in August 2001 with completion forecast for late January 2002.

2.2 Building - Phase 1: Ornamental Farm Section 1 tenders are being returned early November. We have applied for listed building consent and await comments from the English Heritage (EH) project monitor. The anticipated start on site date is late November with completion during February 2002.

Ornamental Farm Section 2a and b is currently at the design development and detailing stage, with the work scheduled to commence during March 2002.

2.3 Landscape - Phase 1, 2 and 3: are being developed by the design team based upon the historical landscape plan produced by EDA, as agreed with the HLF (including English Heritage), and consulting with the Landscape Working Group.

The works to the Ferme Ornee and the Farmyard will now be tendered as part of the Ornamental Farm Building Works Section 2. Attention will then be focused on the car park and approach from it to the Visitor's Centre, together with the paddocks and paths to the north of the farm buildings. Extensive research has already begun into the history of the pleasure grounds, and this will include archaeological investigation.

2.4 Terrace and Sawmills contract - Everest Construction are performing well; and the EH monitor has visited the site twice and is satisfied with the work done to date.

3. Liaison with the HLF

3.1 Project review meetings with the HLF monitor are now taking place quarterly, and progress reports are prepared in advance of the meetings. These reports will provide the basis of future updates to this Committee.

3.2 There are a number of areas identified which are not currently being implemented due to the current funding position, however, there are on-going discussions with the HLF in terms of a potential strategy to resolve these items.

4. Programme

4.1 A master programme has been prepared and will be updated quarterly. Some slippage has occurred on the earlier building works programme but overall the end date remains as before.

4.2 The landscaping has been reviewed and although the timing of the work is revised, overall completion does not go beyond the forecast end date for the project as a whole.

Recommendation

1. That the report be noted.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, it based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report and attached appraisal.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works.

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE FILE

NONE.

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