Archived decisions
Hampshire County Council Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 6 17 March 2004 Argoed Lwyd Mountain Centre
Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services |
Contact: Bob Wallbridge Ext: 7894 email:[email protected]
| How the conclusion in this report fits with the Corporate Strategy This scheme will impact on the delivery of all Corporate Aims, focusing most immediately on: Aim 5 - improving services: these proposals will provide new facilities that enable improved service delivery. |
1 |
Summary |
1.1 |
Argoed Lwyd Mountain Centre lies just south of Brecon, within the Brecon Beacons National Park and near to the National Park Visitor Centre. The building, originally constructed around 1850, was purchased by Hampshire County Council in 1992, opened in 1993 and comprises a converted 19th Century traditional Welsh farmhouse with an attached annexe and longbarn. |
1.2 |
The accommodation currently provides for 46 visitors in bunk beds. The Farmhouse and Longbarn each have dedicated facilities comprising self contained rooms, dining room and kitchen and will sleep 22 and 14 persons respectively. In addition an annex containing ten beds can be used flexibly with either of these two units. |
1.3 |
It has been identified that the dining room facilities for the Farmhouse are inadequate for the 22 persons it serves. This is highlighted further when a single group may wish to use the Farmhouse and annex, or when a single group use the whole centre and wish to eat together as a group. Furthermore, the dining facilities do not offer any flexibility of use and pose a health and safety concern due to current access arrangements and the serving of hot food and drink in a confined area. |
1.4 |
An in principle agreement was received from the Director of Recreation and Heritage at the November 2004 Executive Member meeting to the proposals to extend the dining facilities at the Centre. Since that time the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has, in consultation with the Director of Recreation and Heritage, progressed the design of the proposed new accommodation and the purpose of this report is to outline the design proposals and seek approval to the attached design project appraisal, at an estimated cost of £290,000, plus fees of £46,400, giving a total value of £336,400, including fees. |
2 |
Scope of the Works |
2.1 |
The proposals are to demolish an existing timber framed conservatory and construct a single storey extension at the south west elevation of the building. The extension will provide a dining room that will accommodate up to 48 people per sitting, with adequate circulation and serving space. |
2.2 |
The new accommodation has been purpose designed to offer flexibility of use and it is envisaged that the space will be used for other functions to include a work area, classroom, planning area and indoor games area. This extends the educational opportunities of the Centre. |
2.3 |
The extension also allows for a new kitchen and serving area as the existing kitchen currently forms part of the access route to the dining room. This new arrangement will remove the potential hazards associated with persons needing to pass through a working kitchen. |
2.4 |
It is proposed to address the current storage problems encountered at the Centre by providing a new store and wet changing area within the new extension. The changing area will have external access. |
2.5 |
As part of the proposals it is intended to provide an external paved terraced area to abut the south east elevation of the extension to enable an outdoor teaching/activity space. |
3 |
Funding and Timing |
3.1 |
The total estimated build cost of these proposals is £336,400, including fees. Funding has been identified from the following sources: £ Recreation & Heritage Capital Programme 05/06 64,800 Recreation & Heritage Revenue under spend 04/05 * 53,800 Planned transfer from Recreation & Heritage Revenue budget 05/06 * 57,800 Education Capital Programme 05/06 ** 130,000 Social Services Capital Programme 05/06 ** 30,000 Total 336,400 * Subject to the approval from the Executive Member Recreation and Heritage to the transfer of revenue under spend on Outdoor Centres to contribute to the funding of improvements at the Argoed Lwyd Mountain Centre. ** Subject to the confirmation of funding from Executive Member's Education and Social Care. |
3.2 |
It should be noted that this cost estimate includes works to the existing building and elements of risk remain in association with this work eg remote site location and tender market, unknowns on existing structure/services etc. |
3.3 |
Please see the attached design project appraisal for a full cost breakdown. |
3.4 |
Subject to the necessary approvals it is intended to invite tenders during June 2005. It is proposed to use a local contractor to the Centre and the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services will liaise with Powys County Council to obtain suitable contractors for the tender invitations. Work will commence during August 2005 and be completed during December 2005. |
4 |
Consultation with Local Member |
4.1 |
Due to the location of the Centre there is no Local County Councillor to consult with on these proposals. |
Conclusion | |
These proposals will enable a new extension and reconfiguration of accommodation at the Centre to provide a new dining room, which can be used as a flexible work space. The new accommodation will enable the Centre to be used to its full capacity without comprising health and safety. | |
Recommendation | |
1 |
That the design project appraisal for the proposals at the Argoed Lwyd Mountain Centre, at an estimated cost of £290,000, excluding fees, plus fees of £46,400, giving a total value of £336,400, including fees, be supported and submitted to the Executive Member Recreation and Heritage for approval. |
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.
NB the list excludes:
1 Published works
2 Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.
Title Location
Architect's plans PMIS file
Building Profile Reports TMH
Hampshire County Council
Building Design Project Appraisal |
Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee
Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage
17 March 2005
Project: |
ARGOED LWYD MOUNTAIN CENTRE | |
DINING ROOM EXTENSION AND ALTERATIONS | ||
Commencement date: |
AUGUST 2005 | |
Completion date: |
DECEMBER 2005 | |
Planned year of start in accordance with Capital Programme: |
2005/06 | |
Recommendation:
1. That the design project appraisal for the proposals at the Argoed Lywd Mountain Centre, at an estimated cost of £290,000, excluding fees, plus fees of £46,400, giving a total value of £336,400, including fees, be supported and submitted to the Director of Recreation and Heritage for approval. |
1 Finance
Capital Expenditure |
Current Estimate £'000 |
Capital Programme £'000 |
Buildings |
290 |
56 |
Fees |
46.4 |
8.8 |
Land to be purchased |
- |
_ |
Total |
* 336.4 |
64.8 |
* The means by which the difference between the Current Estimate and the Capital Programme
allocation is to be met is shown in the table below.
Financial Provision for Total Scheme |
Building £'000 |
Fees £'000 |
Total cost £'000 |
1 From Own Resources: |
|||
a) Capital Programme 05/06 (as above) |
56 |
8.8 |
64.8 |
b) Transfer of Revenue Under spend 04/05 * |
46 |
7.8 |
53.8 |
c) Planned transfer from R&H Revenue 05/06 * |
50 |
7.8 |
57.8 |
2 From Other Resources: |
|||
a) Education Capital Programme 05/06 ** |
112 |
18 |
130 |
b) Social Care Capital Programme 05/06 ** |
26 |
4 |
30 |
Total |
290 |
46.4 |
336.4 |
* subject to the approval from the Executive Member Recreation and Heritage to the transfer of anticipated revenue under spend on Outdoor Centres to contribute to the funding of improvements at the Argoed Lywd Mountain Centre.
** subject to the confirmation of funding from the Executive Member's Education and Social Care.
Building Cost - Net Cost = £ 2,212 per m2 (including abnormals)
- Gross Cost = £ 3,410 per m2
Landlord Funded work connected with this scheme
The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has undertaken an assessment of the condition of the building and consideration is currently being given to the inclusion of items of repair and maintenance to this scheme. Upon determination of the level of work to be undertaken a Landlord's contribution will be made from the appropriate financial year.
Value of land already acquired for this project
The proposed extension lies within the boundaries of the existing site and no land acquisition is required.
Revenue implications
(a) Employees £'000 |
(b) Other £'000 |
(a+b) Net Current Expenditure £'000 |
(c) Capital Charges £'000 |
(a+b+c) Total Net Expenditure £'000 | |
Revenue Implications Additional+ /Reductions |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Nil |
Unit cost (£) (e.g. per place) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Nil |
% variation to Committee's Budget |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Nil |
Number of additional Staff (fte) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Nil |
Energy costs
The estimated annual energy consumption for the new accommodation will meet that required by current Building Regulations. It is anticipated that the fuel cost for the completed accommodation will be in the order of £ 6.62 per m².
2 Details of site and existing infrastructure
Location/adjoining land and buildings
The Mountain Centre is located in Libanus, Powys which lies just south of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The National Park Visitor Centre lies to the west with the second Mountain Centre known as Heol Senni beyond. Brecon lies to the east.
Area including comparison with local/national standards
The total site area is 0.32 acres (0.8 hectares). There are no local/national guidelines for this type of site.
Access
Vehicular and pedestrian access to the site is from the east. There will be no change to the current access arrangements. A suitable area for the contractors compound has been identified which will allow continued use of most external areas of the site during the construction period.
Existing buildings and temporary buildings
The original buildings were constructed around 1850, are of a traditional Welsh Farmhouse design and were converted in 1993. There are no temporary buildings on site.
Results of trial boreholes
A recent site investigation has revealed the ground conditions to be made ground overlying glacial clay, which was encountered at varying depths from 0.3m to 1.1m.
It is anticipated that conventional strip footings will be used to a depth of 1.1m.
Mains services position
All mains services will be extended or adapted as necessary to serve the new accommodation.
3 Scope of the Project
Type of project, layout and facilities provided
The proposed single storey extension will provide the following accommodation:
· dining room / classroom
· kitchen and serving area
· wet changing area (with external access)
· store
Also, as part of these works the existing boiler will be segregated from the public areas.
Places provided
The new dining room will accommodate 48 people, the maximum number the centre can occupy at one time.
4 The Proposed Building
Type of construction, finish and appearance
The extension will be of a single storey design with a gabled elevation. Construction materials will be stone and natural slate roof tiles to match the existing building.
Accessible facilities
An accessible bedroom, with adjoining accessible bathroom already exists within the Centre.
Heating and ventilation systems
The existing oil fired boiler in the farmhouse will be replaced and the current installation will be extended as necessary to serve the new extension. Ventilation will be by natural means via opening windows.
Fire risk assessment
In consultation with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, a fire risk assessment concludes that this is a low fire risk category building. Therefore a sprinkler system will not be installed.
Health and safety
A designer's risk assessment and a design health and safety plan, in accordance with Regulation 15 of the Construction Design and Management Regulations 1994, have been undertaken for the proposed scheme
5 External Works
Car parking
There will be no change to the current car parking arrangements.
Landscape proposals
An external paved area will be created to the south east elevation of the extension to provide an outside teaching / social area.
Situation on site and environmental impact
The proposed extension will improve the visual aspect of the south west elevation of the building which is currently a mixture of rendered block work, metal profiled mono-pitched roofs and a timber conservatory.
Local materials will be used in the construction to match the existing building and minimise the impact of the new extension.
6 Planning
It is anticipated that a full detailed planning application will be submitted to the Brecon Becons National Park Authority during March 2005.
7 Building management
Existing arrangements will apply to cleaning, catering, local management and maintenance arrangements.
8 Furniture and equipment
The cost of any furniture and equipment will be met by Recreation and Heritage budgets.
9 Professional resources
Architectural Services }Property, Business and Regulatory
Quantity Surveying } "
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering } "
Structural Engineering } "
10 Consultations
The following have been consulted during the development of the project: Director of Recreation and Heritage, Access Officer, Brecon Becons National Parks Authority.
ExMemR&H0305a