Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item 3

13 March 2002

Salterns Cottage, Lymington - Proposed Rebuilding

Report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1.

Summary

1.1

At the 1 March 2001 meeting of the Asset Management Sub-Committee approval was given in principle to the provision of a new residential property, located within the Lymington-Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve, for the continued provision of the ranger residential accommodation and office facilities.

1.2

This course of action was necessary as the existing residential property has major structural problems and requires significant maintenance work in the near future. Planning permission has been granted for the siting of temporary buildings to the west of the existing cottage, in conjunction with the application for the reconstruction of the cottage. The ranger is temporarily residing in these buildings until the new accommodation is complete.

1.3

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the new building and the purpose of this report is seek approval to negotiate a contract with Everest Construction Limited for the construction work and to use 100% of the capital receipt from sale of part of the existing cottage to part fund the project.

2.

New Forest District Council

2.1

At the 14 February 2002 meeting of the Executive Member - Policy and Resources approval was given for the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) to begin negotiations with New Forest District Council to purchase their half-share in the existing Salterns Cottage, in order to protect the County Council's investment in the proposed new property.

2.2

Negotiations have begun with the District Council to enable the site of the cottage and some 35 acres of land at Salterns, currently in joint ownership between the two Council's, to be acquired by the County Council in exchange for other land.

3.

Additional Capital Receipt

3.1

A brick building, of some 20m², which forms part of the Salterns Cottage is not required for the new dwelling and approval was given at the 9 January meeting of the Executive Member - Policy and Resources to the sale of this structure to the adjoining land owner. The sale will also include an adjoining area of land comprising 80m² and it is intended that this sale proceeds, following completion of the proposed reconstruction. The anticipated capital receipt for the brick building and the area of land is £15,000.

4.

Funding and Timing

4.1

Funding for this project will principally come from 25% of Recreation and Heritage's share of capital receipts (previously reported to Asset Management Sub Committee on 1 March 2001). A further capital receipt of £15,000 is expected from the sale of the land and brick building to the adjoining neighbour. A contribution of £7,000 has been made from the Policy and Resources Committee's 2002/03 Capital Repairs budget.

4.2

Due to the requirement to decant the ranger and his family to the temporary buildings it is imperative that the new building is completed as quickly as possible. It is therefore proposed that the scheme be negotiated with one contractor in order to accelerate the pre-contract process and ensure the work is completed within a short a timescale as possible. It is proposed that the work be negotiated with Everest Construction Limited who have an excellent track record of working with Hampshire County Council and delivering contracts within a required timescale.

4.3

Subject to the necessary approvals it is anticipated that work will commence during June 2002 and be completed during September 2002.

Recommendations

That approval be given to:

1.

Proceed with the construction of a new ranger residential and office accommodation at Salterns Cottage, Lymington on the basis of a negotiated tender with Everest Construction Limited.

2.

The use of 100% of the capital receipt from the sale of part of the existing cottage and site to the adjoining owner, in accordance with Regulation 99 of the Capital Finance Regulations 1997.

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, is 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

Executive Member - P&R reports, Property, Management &

Architect's plans Information File - PB&R

EMP&R0302E