Prestigious Care Home being Developed In Kettering
Goodrich Projects are acting as Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor and CDM Co-ordinator for Northampton based care home developer and operator, Avery Healthcare on the development of a new 105 bedroom care home on this prestigious site on the outskirts of Kettering.
The 2.2 acre site, which lies in the heart of a residential area, was for many years in the possession of the Local Authority but had been unoccupied for 5 years before it was acquired by Avery in 2008. Because of the presence of a late 19th century manor house, the whole site was listed Grade II although many of the outlying buildings were no older than 1960’s and were of relatively low quality.
Goodrich were closely involved throughout the lengthy negotiations with the Planning Authority leading to a development solution which meets their conservation and environmental requirements and the commercial needs of the Client. The eventual solution was to build the new care home as a series of linked blocks providing 95 rooms and all associated facilities, and restore the manor house to provide a 10 room care hotel.
In late 2008, while the final site proposals were still being agreed with the Planners, Goodrich persuaded the Local Authority that the exterior of the manor house needed urgent attention to prevent further deterioration and appointed contractors to remove asbestos and begin repairing the roof, chimney stacks, windows, drainage and brickwork.
The Local Authority Conservation Officer was very closely involved throughout and all the works were done to the highest conservation standards. Work began on the internal renovations in Autumn 2009 to create 10 individual and prestigious suites which reflect the heritage and quality of the old building.
Works to the new build areas of the site commenced in October 2009, with the re-housing of the resident bat population prior to demolition of the 1960’s buildings. Due to the slope across the site, the contractor faced a lengthy preparation period to establish the new levels but at last the building began to take shape.
Goodrich have been instrumental in taking on the challenge of a derelict and overgrown site, restoring one of Kettering’s finest old houses, and negotiating a prestigious, fitting and viable development solution. The whole project is due for completion in March 2011 and will be opening its doors to residents shortly thereafter.
