Mon 02 Feb 2009

February 2009

It is always good to have projects ready to start on site as the days start to lengthen, as building is best done in good daylight and warmer weather. So over the winter we have been completing design work and obtaining permissions for a number of domestic schemes, ranging from a barn conversion in the Eden valley to a woodchip boilerhouse for our next door neighbour.

Our development of the old school at Lowgate near Hexham into two houses is also progressing. The first house (Lowgate Old School) is almost complete and the second house (Curlew Cottage) ready to commence. It has three bedrooms and fine views over open countryside to south and west. It can be customised to suit a buyer, contact the office for details if you are interested.

The extended parish centre at Cramlington is now handed over and looking smart with its new zinc roof and cladding, a much better neighbour for the listed church building than the previous leaking 1960s box.

Other work at the design stage includes a further phase of the CastleGate building in Newcastle, continuing the conversion of this listed former turbine hall into church and conference facilities.

Work on the various churches we look after continues, with eight quinquennial inspections lined up for this year.

Michael has also recently been advising YHN (Newcastle’s social housing management company) on alterations to the Byker Redevelopment scheme now that it has been listed (Grade II*). We have also been working with North of England Civic Trust on Townscape Heritage Initiative bids for Blyth and Bedlington.