The project moves forward...

[voiceothevalleys]

Miranda Winram, the Project Director, gave a really interesting presentation to staff last week, showing some of the drawings that are going forward to the initial planning stage. For those of you that live locally, this was a similar presentation to the one that Miranda gave at the local residents evening on the 15th of April (see Sophie Nash's blog entry for more information on the preparations for this: http://www.fowa.org.uk/your_westonbirt/blog/).

It was great to see the drawings that are going forward for planning, because sometimes with being so busy working on our own areas here at the Arboretum it is difficult to keep up with the project. The most exciting thing to me were the plans for the education centre, which I didn't have much knowledge of before. This looks like an inspirational building, built from wood, and in lovely surroundings. The prospect of being able to welcome a much wider range of educational visits is a really exciting benefit of this project.

More updates should appear on the Westonbirt Project pages of the website soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

http://www.fowa.org.uk/westonbirt_project

[tony pearce]

At the recent Education Volunteers Work Party and Monthly meeting, we also had the chance to see the DRAFT PLANNING PROPOSALS for the new Education Facility.
There were a number of observations made, sufficient to say that the architects did not appear to appreciate what was required or what the building was tobe used for. I have sent my comments to the Education Team
I think you may have been impressed with the drawings, but if it is approved as is it will not meet purpose or function and will need additional subsequent spend to get ir right.
I was very dissapointed having waited so long for the first sight of a drawing.
A view of the architects web site indicates that they have been successful on civic buildings and tower blocks, but little evidence of an eco and environmetally friendly building. The only one that goes any where near the type of building I might expect at Westonbirt is the proposed Motorway Service Area, but please note that the info on this was very very limited.
They will need to do far better if it is to get full approval from.
i await revisions and also proposals for the other capital works that I assume they are preparing.
Have they, as FC approved contractor(?), been responsible for any buildings which we can visit to see a finished project

[Ben Oliver]

As always its great to get feedback from our volunteers - Tony, I will be responding to your email shortly! However, I thought it would be useful to highlight a few points from the Education Team's perspective here also.

Firstly, the education team has been very actively involved in the design process thus far - both myself and Chris have been engaged with the Capital Works Team and other team members have also been consulted. As such we believe that the proposed learning centre successfully answers the brief we have set. The provision of three large airy modern classrooms that have the flexibility to be combined into a single large area, supported by appropriate infrastructure facilities will enable us to engage more people in more ways than our current facilities. Further, better tie in with proposed propagation facilities and informal learning areas within the Keepers Cottage garden and kennels will create a holistic picture of our vitally important work and heritage.

We hope and believe that visitors will find the new learning facilities inspirational - we KNOW visitors find our trees inspirational. By moving our learning facilities to provide closer access to some fantastic specimen trees (redwood, Douglas fir, pines, oaks included) we will provide an appropriate 'wow' factor for groups as they arrive. Our intention is to develop the landscaping to add to this welcome further. For the first time we will be able to use Silk Wood effectively, giving additional benefit particularly for secondary groups studying topics like sustainable woodland management practices.

Finally, it is important to recognise that we must be realistic in our approach - sadly we do not have the benefit of unlimited resources! We feel that the proposals provide the appropriate balance, bringing significant benefit to both our visitors and Westonbirt.

Ben Oliver
Education and Interpretation Manager

[Miranda Winram]

Tony - One building the architects we are using, Glen Howells, have designed, although a much bigger scale than the education building is the Visitor Building in Windsor Great Park. http://www.theroyallandscape.co.uk/ One of the reasons we chose those architects is because they have produced beautiful modern buildings from wood in the past. Thanks, Miranda

[tony pearce]

Ben/Amanda, Thanks for recent emails and the forum postings. My intent was to post a response from a Westonbirt Education Volunteer, that demonstarted that I did not share the level of enthusiasum for the drawings as expressed by one member of FC staff.
I accept that the drawings show a facility that would be a significant improvement and satisfy the high level accommodation requirements and facilities. Having been requested to comment in the past on the current facilities and the original plans for the Keepers Cottage/Kennels proposals, I have carried on with the current proposals. The launch of the Project has my support, and it is expected that the development of a totally new facility would enable us to achieve the high level specification requirements.
The feedback supplied indicates that my concern is that the orientation of the building/accommodation and the location of facilities within the building do not make effective use of the footprint/area. We have agreed to disagree on the details.
I suspect that some of the requirements have been compromised due to projected costings being excessive, details of which have only been discussed at Project Meetings. There has also evidence that it is too late to consider any change to the DRAFT PLANNING PROPOSAL, which is disappointing.
The reference to consultation with team members includes the Volunteers, some of whom have expreesed similar concerns, but as yet they may not have felt it worth responding.
As usual there is the requirement for compromise, but I hope that it does not result in significant expenditure in the next 15years, in order to demonstrate achieving the overal Project Objectives.
I would also point out that we have not seen the Project Landscape Proposals or the plans for Keepers Cottage and the Kennels, ( Are the Cottage and Kennels part of the Project Plans ???)

With reference to other project designs that the architects have been involved with, the Savill Building is vast and as you suggest inappropriate for Westonbirt site. What others timber buildings they designed and have been built is still an outstanding question. In addition the construction timescales were way outside the Westonbirt expectations? What have they achieved in the form of timber buildings since 2006?

The Forum Feedback/Postings are limited at this time, and dissappointing that while other Volunteers have voiced concerns to me and at meetings, they have not forwarded those concerns in writing. I hope that the presentations planned for the Volunteers in early June will give you a formal feedback which you will also be able to respond.

[tony pearce]

In discussions with a member of Tree Team, I was made aware of a requirement for a number of two types of Bat Boxes, that reflect the types of bats living around the Arboretum. I am aware that we have/ had bats in the Education Bird Room.

I understand that there has been a realisation that the knocking down of buildings, areas of which are occupied by bats, could/ will be a potential planning problem.
To demonstrate that this is being recognised, there is a need to supply alternative/more comfortable residence for the bats, which will encourage them to relocate prior to the demolition process being started.
On behalf of the Wood Sales Team, I have offered to make the 4 plus 2 boxes by the end of the month (May) so that bats have time to move in for a late nesting. However, I understand from bat experts, that it may take a number of years before they take up residence.
Using Westonbirt timber for the construction, and Volunteer manhours will mean a saving of some £120. However you might anticipate that this will be swamped by the costs of associated meetings and surveys before the buildings can be demolished.

[Ben Oliver]

Tony,

I'm sure that the Westonbirt team would be very grateful for your kind offer to build some new bat boxes. The entire team is concerned that any new development is sensitive to the Westonbirt estate and its natural environment. As you highlight it is also a great opportunity to demonstrate sustainable management and use Westonbirt timber.

Thanks

Ben

[Ben Oliver]

Hi Tony,

Just another quick response with regard to Keepers and its plans. Currently these are still in development and thus are not yet available.

However, the plan is to sympathetically renovate the kennels and garden area (once propagation has been moved to its new home) to allow more public access. It is our hope to develop simple interpretation in this area to provide visitors with a sense of the historic estate as well as to provide space for possible practical demonstration area.

Thanks

Ben

[tony pearce]

Miranda,
There seems to be a pause in the progress, presumably due to the assessment of the planning application by CDC.
I have noted that a survey report has been posted on their web site, covering the bats and the proposed demolition of the existing Mess Hut and the Wood Mill area.
Can you please advise why the report does not cover the existing Education area, or are their plans for the old building, not yet determined.
What progress is there on the submissions for the Tree Team Operations area and Plant Centre.

Also, I have noted that a planning application for a road and farm shop in the school grounds has been subjected to significant planning requirements. Have you received similar advice regarding the protection of wildlife on the Arboretum site.

[SophieProject]

Tony,

It may appear to be a pause in the progress with the project but we are progressing with other elements of the project and are quite busy. Currently the planning applications which are with the CDC will be determined by the end of August. We are currently feeding more information through to the planners and working on other elements of the project such as the interpretation plan and the conservation report for the Westonbirt Gardens to name a few.

We have completed all that the planners have requested from us regarding habitat surveys etc. The capital works plans take into consideration bat roosts and feeding perches in their designs. As part of this section of work we have just completed a bat emergence survey, during dusk, of the trees in the proposed area for the new Education and Learning Building. The results of this survey will determine the impact of demolishing the Mess Hut and Wood Mill. The existing Education area has not been surveyed as currently there are no plans for this building to be demolished in the short term, particularly as it will still be used by the Education team whilst the new building is being constructed so that the Education team's programs won't be impacted by the works.

The Operations area and Plant Centre are both currently being discussed internally and a small group of us met only this week to dicuss our options for a way forward. We have a vary complex site with many issues which all need to be resolved before wider discussions occur. We hope to continue progressing options for both areas once we understand the full constraints of each site and will keep staff and volunteers updated once we have more information.

Sophie Nash
Project Support Officer