Hampshire County Council

Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel Item *

4 April 2006

Major Projects Update:

· Merton Rise/Everest Community College

· Nursing Care Accommodation (Enhance)

· Winchester Discovery Centre

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

How the conclusion in this report fits with the Corporate Strategy

This scheme will impact on the delivery of the following Corporate Aims

Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities - by providing support facilities for the elderly.

Aim 2 - stewardship of the environment - through the effective and efficient use of County Council land resources at Merton Rise whilst seeking a high quality development design

Aim 3 - achieving economic prosperity - by providing a mix of housing types at Merton Rise to meet the demands of the local housing market

Aim 4 - building strong and safe communities - by working in partnership with the Strategic Health Authority and local Primary Care Trusts to meet the needs of elderly care.

Aim 5 - improving services - though improved library and education facilities and elderly care provision.

1

Introduction

1.1

It was agreed at the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel meeting on 31 January 2006 to provide regular updates on major projects currently being progressed. This report highlights key issues with the following schemes:

· Merton Rise/Everest Community College

· Nursing Care Accommodation (Enhance)

· Winchester Cultural Centre

2.

Merton Rise

2.1

Marketing of the first phase of land on the Merton Rise site for approximately 160 dwellings (including a proportion of affordable housing) commenced in January and the outcome of the design-led selection process is to be reported to the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel on 6 June 2006. From the initial review of schemes submitted, it is evident that the challenge to deliver a "high quality contemporary development" has been met and exceeded by many of the prospective purchasers. Preparatory work is now underway to prepare the required masterplan for the next and largest phase 2 development land (which includes the neighbourhood centre) in order that marketing of this land can take place this Autumn.  

2.2

Continued progress is being made in respect of the procurement of the advance infrastructure works, with the completion of the last phase of structural planting along the ridgeline of the site which will, in the long term, soften the impact of the view of the development to the north. In addition, the second phase of the spine road is currently out to tender and completion of these works will provide serviced access to Everest Community College and the first two development phases (some 450 dwellings and the neighbourhood centre).  

2.3

Everest Community College

2.3.1

The main contract works, which commenced at the beginning of January 2006, are progressing well. Progress on site has been assisted by the unseasonably dry weather which has reduced the risk of delay due to inclement weather often experienced when commencing foundation works in the winter. Currently, work to the foundations and ground floor slab are substantially complete. Other activities currently taking place on site include completion of the earthworks and re-grading of landscape bunds, below ground drainage services and retaining wall construction. Construction of the structural frame commenced in early March. The completion date of April 2007 is currently on target with the school transferring to the new building during the summer and formally opening in September 2007.

3

Nursing Care Accommodation (Enhance)

3.1

Current Progress

3.1.1

The previous report to the Panel on 24 January 2006 advised that seven new build schemes at Hawthorne Court, Ticehurst, Willow Court, Oakridge, Fleming House, Marlfield and Bickerley Green were complete, and the first refurbishment scheme at Ticehurst had also been handed over. All contracts at the 10 sites had been let.

3.1.2

Two further new build nursing homes are scheduled for completion in mid-April, at Westholme, Winchester and Emsworth, and three further refurbishment schemes at Oakridge, Fleming and Marlfield will either be complete or in their final stages at this time.

3.1.3

The final new build scheme at Tatchbury Mount is ahead of programme and only two refurbishment schemes (at Westholme and Emsworth) are yet to start on site. All construction work is anticipated to be completed in January 2007.

3.2

Project Management

3.2.1

The programme of work is being managed within the approved budget, but as to be expected at this stage there is very little contingency remaining. The refurbishment schemes would always present the greater challenge, due to the nature of the work and the unforeseens that can arise when the buildings are opened up.

3.2.2

The report to the last Panel identified essential planned maintenance work that required to be instructed to comply with the contractors' programmes, an element of which will be funded from the 2006/07 budget. In the event of funding being deferred, then elements of the work at the remaining two refurbishment schemes would be omitted or deferred.

3.2.3

Major unforeseen works have arisen at Westholme and Bickerley Green; the former requires major structural adjustments to the window openings and consequent replacement, and the latter where defective internal walls have been discovered on removal of the plaster due to mortar failure. This work has to be instructed as the building contracts are underway, and to avoid abortive cost and further delay. The detail is still to be established and costed.

3.2.4

It is proposed to review with the Director of Adult Services the scope of the final two refurbishment schemes at Westholme and Emsworth, and make consequential savings to them to ensure the overall programme is contained within budget. There will still be a major investment scheme achieved on both. The full implications will be reported to the next meeting of the Panel.

4

Winchester Discovery Centre

4.1

The Archaeological works were completed on time and within budget on 13 March 2006. The next phase of the enabling works by Mansell Construction has commenced. This involves work agreed with English Heritage and the local conservation officers and archaeologists to fill in the underground air raid shelters and retain one length of tunnel adjacent to the southern boundary of the car park. The City Council intend to allow the public to visit the retained section of air raid shelter by appointment once the car park has been returned to public use. The enabling works also includes some drainage and the diversion of a sewer main that currently crosses the site.

4.2

The main construction works are due to begin on 8 May 2006 and are programmed to finish in Spring 2007. Following the three month moving in period the new centre is planned to open to the public in Summer 2007.

4.3

The works to convert the ground floor of Capital House into a temporary library were completed by the due date and within budget. The temporary library is on schedule to open to the public on 20 March 2006.

Recommendation(s)

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel advise the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that:

1

progress with Merton Rise/Everest Community College, Nursing Care Accommodation and Winchester Discovery Centre be approved and that further reports be presented to the Panel as the schemes develop;

2

the implications of the review of works to the final two refurbishment schemes at Westholme Older Persons' Home, Winchester, and Emsworth House be reported to the Panel on 6 June 2006.