Project Title: Hinkley Ready and Enterprise Catering Project

Project Type: New Build Extension

Location: West Somerset Community College, Minehead, Somerset

Employer/Client: West Somerset Community College

Sector: Education

Procurement Method: Design and Build

Contract Sum: £500,000 to £650,000

Role: Project Manager, Employer’s Agent & Quantity Surveyor

Customer Satisfaction Score: 90%

Description of Project

This project was conceived through the partnership between The West Somerset Community College and EDF Energy as part of EDF’s commitment to satisfy it’s Section 106 requirements with regard to the Proposed Hinkley C Project.

Slade Parry Limited became involved due to its historic working relationship with the College and the positive feed back from the Minehead Middle School project. Slade Parry Limited was appointed to act as the project manager, employer’s agent, quantity surveyor and clerk of works direct to the College with a responsibility to EDF.

The project was split into two phases, with phase one being Hinkley Ready and phase two being Hinkley Enterprise Catering.

The Hinkley Ready phase involved the construction of a 100m2 workshop space extension for educational training in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, a 105m2 workshop space extension for educational training in plant hydraulics, a 31m2 break out area with storage over, a 162m2 external covered area for educational teaching in brickwork, formwork and concrete work and the alteration and refurbishment of the existing trowel workshop to form a 102m2 workshop space for educational training in electrical engineering. The project’s external works involved the realignment of an emergency access road and a sewer diversion to enable the extensions to be constructed.

The Hinkley Enterprise Catering phase was commissioned to construct a 105m2 work space and entrance lobby extension for educational training in catering services. The project’s external works involved gas pipe diversions and upgrades.

The works on site commenced on the 19 March 2012 with phase one being complete on the 17 August 2012 and phase two being complete on the 4 September 2012, just in time for the new student intake.

For the Hinkley Ready phase all three extensions needed to follow the principles already set on the adjoining building, with the construction following that through. This meant that a steel portal frame was erected on trench fill foundations. The ground floor was formed with a power floated concrete floor with a painted finish. The external walls are masonry in construction with Cedar infill panels and brickwork to the outer leaf with a concrete blockwork painted inner leaf. Windows and external doors were powder coated aluminium double glazed units. The roof comprised zed purlins and a Rigidal insulated composite cladding.

Internally the workshops have been finished to provide working bays and large open areas for team working. Dedicated ventilation ducts can be seen here ready to be used when welding is undertaken. The storey and a half height introduced to the HVAC workshop is to enable the students to work at height to simulate real working conditions. The mezzanine floor over the break out area is for general storage.The break out area is for the students to use for coffee breaks and includes a small kitchenette.

The area covered by a 162m2 canopy is to allow the students to carry out brickwork, formwork and reinforcement tasks. In the future the College may build examples of different wall types to semi enclose this area.

For the Hinkley Enterprise Catering phase the extension once again needed to follow the principles already set on the adjoining building, with the construction following that through. This meant trench fill foundations and a solid concrete floor. The external walls are masonry in construction with Cedar infill panels and facing brickwork to the outer leaf with a concrete blockwork inner leaf. Windows and external doors were powder coated aluminium double glazed units. The roof comprised zed purlins and a Rigidal insulated composite cladding.

Internally the kitchen has been fully fitted out to a very high standard and as well as having hygienic flooring, wall boarding and ceiling tiles it has a complete set of ovens, hobs and work stations to accommodate 18 students at a time.

Consultant Services Provided

The Pre-Contract Services carried out on this project included putting together the initial design team and liaising with them on the College’s behalf. Liaising with the College and the projects funder EDF, preparing cost plans, advice on procurement methods, preparation of detailed Employer’s Requirements, issuing and dealing with the tender process, checking, reporting and negotiation based on the tenders received.

Post-Contract Services included the continual site monitoring, contract administration, cost monitoring and liaising between parties and dealing with contractual matters such as the issuing and valuing of instructions, dealing with changes in the completion date, the agreement and certification of monthly valuations and finally the preparation and agreement of the Final Account.

Surveyor’s Comments

It was great to put our knowledge of the College and its buildings to further use, and to ensure the project integrated into its surroundings. It was very important to meet the budgetary and timing requirements for both the College and EDF all of which were achieved.

Funder’s Comments

Justin provided sound, level-headed advice from start to finish. He demonstrated flexibility when having to deal with matters out of project control and supported the college throughout. Project came in on-time and under budget so great overall performance. Mr Tim Cribbens (EDF/MACE)