Agenda item

We received an update of progress on the proposed Abergavenny Hub.

In doing so, the following points were noted:

·         A tender exercise had been undertaken in July 2017 via Sell to Wales to appoint a design team to undertake the detailed designs and costings for the proposed hub within Abergavenny Town Hall. GWP Architecture Ltd. were subsequently appointed to lead and they have assembled a team of experts including Quantity Surveyors, mechanical and electrical engineers and acoustic specialists.

·         They commenced work in September 2017 and since that time have been testing the initial design concepts in consultation with CADW and the County Council’s Heritage Officer to produce the final designs and associated costs.

·         Following these discussions amendments have had to be made to the original designs to accommodate heritage concerns. These largely relate to the proposed mezzanine, its design and how the space is created at first floor level. In particular, instead of the whole removal of the existing walls facing the market hall, these will now remain in situ, but punctured so that the space is still fully accessible.

·         Accessibility to the building as a whole remains a key outcome and this will be met through the provision of a new lift situated at the front of the building, which will open on all floors including the theatre. The installation of the lift and the creation of the mezzanine require listed building consent.

·         Another requirement of the brief was to review the existing utilities infrastructure to provide a more future proofed solution that maximised flexibility whilst minimising energy costs. The mechanical and electrical engineers have identified solutions that will be accommodated as part of the hub project.

·         Stakeholder consultation has been undertaken on the proposed designs and, on the whole, this was positive. There are however, some proposed changes from Abergavenny Town Council and a separate meeting is being arranged to clarify these.

·         The Design team is now working on the proposals for the proposed phasing of the works and the cost envelope. In the event that the Authority is successful in obtaining listed building consent and resolving stakeholder queries, a report will be submitted to County Council seeking approval to proceed with the project.

·         At this stage the Authority is not in a position to confirm the length of the works and the impact on services. Officers are working with the design team to try and establish solutions that will enable the building to remain open during the works. However, staff might need to be re-located as the phases progress. This will become determined in the coming months as the designs and phasing are identified.

Having considered the report, the following points were noted:

·         Surveys are being undertaken with investigations also being undertaken regarding the structural integrity of the building.

·         There will be a need to engage with local people regarding this development.

·         A key element will be to keep the building operational during the various phases of the development. Alternative access to the building will be available during this period.

We resolved to receive the report and noted its content.