Holidays
Redwing Construction Limited has been appointed to build The Bluebells, our custom designed holiday house for children with life-limited or life-threatening conditions. The build programme is for 42 weeks, commencing on 5th July 2010 with an anticipated completion date of 29 April 2011. We hope to bring you a monthly update on our progress but here is a broad outline of the schedule:
Week 1 – Site set up, undertake soil surveys
Week 2 and 3 – Excavate to required site levels and foundations
Week 4 to 12 – Begin brickwork
Week 16 – Install timber roof trusses
Week 18 – Install staircase
Week 19 – Fix windows and doors
Week 20 to 23 – Fit out indoor pool
Week 21 to 23 – Install lift
Week 21 to 24 – Install insulation and heating
Week 24 – Begin plastering
Week 29 – Install Kitchens
Week 31 to 35 – Install bathrooms
Week 32 – Begin decorating
Week 38 – Begin floor finishes
Week 39 – Install fixtures and fittings
Week 42 – Clean and clear, ready for handover to Sebastian’s Action Trust
Progress Reports:
July 2010
Work began on the 5th July. The site offices were quickly installed with our Site Manager, Brian Drury, taking control for the 42 week construction programme. In the first month on site we have seen tremendous change, with the gently sloping green field becoming a hive of activity as diggers redistributed the earth to allow for the creation of the building’s foundations and the external areas.
Building Process History:
Building a unique holiday house on a site outside the settlement boundary of a pretty Hampshire village was never going to be a straightforward undertaking, but our loyal supporters are not afraid of a challenge. In the first five years of the Trust’s existence a tremendous amount of goodwill, dedication and determination on the part of the planning and construction team has helped us to achieve the impossible. Here is an overview of our progress:
2004 - Bewley Homes, through an introduction to Commercial Director Mark Fitzpatrick, offer their management services to the Trust
2005 - Following an approach from Bewley Homes, landowner and farmer Patrick Sweeney generously agrees to gift land in the pretty Hampshire village of North Waltham to the Trust as a site for the holiday house
2005/6 - The first potential site in the village is identified. Plans are drawn up and initial site surveys conducted. Planning application is not submitted because of problems with access to the site.
2006/7 - The second potential site is identified. A planning application is submitted but is narrowly defeated in May 2007.
June 2007 - A third potential site is identified. Extensive pre-application discussions took place with the planning authorities in an effort to overcome any problems.
January 2008 - The planning application for the third site is submitted, with a decision expected within thirteen weeks.
17 September 2008 - Approval for our planning application is granted by unanimous vote by the planning authorities, subject to a section 106 agreement, restricting the land’s use to charitable purposes, and completion of 17 pre-commencement conditions.
18 February 2009 - The section 106 agreement is signed by all concerned parties.
13 March 2009 - The land gifted by Patrick Sweeney is officially transferred to the Trust.
6 April 2009 - Discharge of the 17 pre-commencement conditions is sought from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
1 July 2009 - Full plans approval notice is granted in respect of Building Regulations.
31 July 2009 - the archaeological pre-excavation scan required by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council takes place on site.
10 August 2009 - 12 of the 17 pre-commencement conditions are discharged, with further information or negotiation still required on the final 5.
Construction of the holiday house cannot begin until all of the conditions have been discharged, but we anticipate that building will commence in October 2009, with completion 12 months later.
Since 2004 so many have helped to bring Sebastian’s last wish to fruition and together we will find the finances, strength and resources required to complete the project that will give precious memories to very special children facing enormous challenges.
