Quality builders in Carmarthenshire recognised

A SPECIAL event has been held to recognise high quality building work in Carmarthenshire.

Twelve building projects have been recognised at Carmarthenshire’s 2011 Local Authority Building Control Excellence Awards ceremony at the Machynys Peninsula Golf Club in Llanelli. The winners were introduced by LABC President Mike Sanson.

County director of regeneration Dave Gilbert said: “It was not too many years ago people used to say buildings and homes to the standard we are achieving in the county now could never happen in Carmarthenshire.

“But the quality guidelines laid down by our building control officers are being respected and adhered to by contractors and developers and landmark building of outstanding design and quality are appearing all over the county.”

Executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “It is brilliant to see contractors within the county doing such a wonderful job and being recognised with the best of the best.

“I am so pleased to see the high quality buildings we have here in Carmarthenshire.”

This year’s award winners were:

The best domestic extension, alteration or barn conversion sponsored by LBS Builders Merchants was local contractor Paul Davies for a barn conversion at East Barn, Swiss Valley.

The barn was completely renovated with a combination of traditional building skills and modern technology with good use made of local stone and materials.

Solar/Photovoltaic panels were utilised together with a ground source heat pump adding to the eco credentials of the building.

Given the sites location and environmental impact bat boxes were used along with a state of art package treatment plant for the drainage.

The best single dwelling, sponsored by Coleg Sir Gar, was won by contractors SFS, for a new dwelling at Wernddu Farm, Wernddu Road, Ammanford.

This traditional construction Bradstone house has been carried out to the very highest standards, from conception to completion, with the utmost care to detailing.

The quality of the workmanship is evident in all aspect of the works.

This construction of the property was challenging from the start, with poor ground conditions resulted with pile and cage foundation being adopted, this did not deter in any way the high quality that was desired by the applicant.

This was evident throughout all stages of the build, nothing but high quality workmanship.

The applicant being aware of sustainable energy sources opted for solar water, multi fuel fires.

The Best Social Affordable Housing Project, sponsored by Coleg Sir Gar, was won by Tai Developments Ltd for the construction 0f 40 dwellings at Parc y Gelli, Foelgastell.

Forward thinking has been incorporated in terms of renewable and heating arrangements to the houses are via ground source and air source heat pumps, whilst electricity has been catered for via Photo Voltaic and solar panels. This aspect of work being carried out by a subsidiary of Tai Developments, namely Thermal Earth, Capel Hendre.

The building company, known as Tai Developments was formed in 2004. It employs about 30 people, consisting of a variety of time served / indentured crafts people, carpenters, bricklayers, plasterers, painters & decorators and plumbers. The company is also unique in the current climate, since they also cater for a variety of trade apprentices.

The best residential development, two to 10 dwellings, sponsored by Parker Plant Hire, was won by Ashwood Homes for two dwellings at Cwmfelin Boeth, Whitland.

The development of two new three-bedroom dwellings was managed in a professional manner with emphasis on quality of work and health and safety on site. Site conditions were kept orderly and tidily and materials stored in a professional and considerate manner taking in to account neighbouring properties and the general public.

The developer Ashwood Homes, who were formerly known as TPT Construction Limited, have won the Carmarthenshire Quality Awards and the South Wales Award in previous years.

The best volume housing, more than 10 homes, sponsored by Machynys Peninsula, was won by Tai Developments Ltd for the construction of 40 dwellings at Parc y Gelli, Foelgastell.

The best community/healthcare building (public building, community centres, hospitals), sponsored by IHS, was won by Doel & Rowlands for the new hall and community centre at Myddfai, Llandovery.

The hall has been built to the highest standards with energy efficiency boilers, ground source heat pumps, solar panels and under floor heating.

Large picture windows allows excellent use of natural lighting with state of the art sound systems and acoustics to the interior which incorporates a visitor centre with gift shop selling handmade local products.

The best education building, sponsored by MELIN, was won by Kier Western for the construction of a new primary school at Brynsierfel, Llwynhendy, Llanelli.

The school was built on the site of the former Brynsierfel School, which was completely demolished. The site had its own issues being very steeply sloping, which meant the school being built on two levels with the upper section incorporating the hall, kitchen and administration areas and the lower section containing the teaching areas.

The changes in level resulted in features such as steps and stairs being a significant issue which needed consideration, assessment and agreement to ensure safety requirements were not compromised. A prominent design feature of the project being the curved retaining wall, which swept along the whole length of the school.

The main contractor operated a very professional site set up. Together with the on-site Clerk of Works Andrew Thyer a very good team approach was utilised in all aspects of the project, which helped deliver on time a successful project which fully satisfied the modern design brief.

< img class=" alignleft size-full wp-image-1939" style="float: left; margin: 6px;" width="250" alt="LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Gareth Richards, LABC president Mike Sanson, Andrew Griffiths, Dylan Davies, Katie Anderson of Machynys Peninsula. Pic Jeff Connell " src="http://localhost/~mark/WestWalesIndependent.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/labc 05 low.jpg" />The best commercial small development of up to £5m, sponsored by Machynys Peninsula, was won by WRW Group for the extension and change of use at The Sospan, North Dock, Llanelli.

The building with a Grade 2 listing was the former pump house serving the North Dock to open and close the dock gates of what was a bustling coal port.

The existing building was completely refurbished together with a full renovation. The main building was also extended as part of the development.

The building has been converted into a restaurant with living accommodation on site but still retains its original exterior design but manages through an extension to provide a modern twist. The use of high quality materials is evident throughout with a feature green oak roof structure. A feature which has remained is the old pump which has been left intact and forms both a focal and talking point.

The contractor who is also a Carmarthenshire Building Control Partner provided good communication throughout the project and is to be congratulated for revitalising a derelict site into one of Llanelli’s landmark buildings.

The best sustainable project, residential, sponsored by MELIN, was won by Heritage 2000 for a barn conversion and alterations to a dwelling at Troed Rhiw Gelynin, Rhandirmwyn, Llandovery.

The property is situated in rural countryside to the north of Rhandirmwyn and on a country lane leading to Cwrt Y Cadno with stunning views across the valley.

The main house and attached barn have been converted to a high standard with the main theme of sustainability, ground source heat pump, thermal store, under floor heating, lime render both internally and externally.

A modern kitchen has been incorporated with the existing timber A frames which have been sand blasted and treated to enrich their colour and appearance, as can be seen in the photographs. The builder was diligent in his methods and always eager to achieve the highest standards of build quality.

The best sustainable project, non residential, sponsored by Parker Plant Hire, was won by the WRW Group for the construction of the Strategic Co-ordination Centre at Dyfed Powys Police Head Quarters, Llangunnor.

Construction of the new £10 million pound new two and three-storey strategic co-ordination centre has now been completed by WRW as the main contractor.

In delivering the project WRW established clear and coherent lines of communication with Building Control which ensured all works were inspected and monitored in a timely and orderly fashion.

Solar water heating panels, rainwater harvesting, and biomass boilers have been incorporated into the scheme, while energy consumption readings are relayed to a display panel within the Building.

Through excellent build quality and attention to detail this facility will now provide 21st century accommodation whilst meeting the aspirations of both the police authority and the local users in providing what is a first class modern and flexible building.

The best partnership, sponsored by Coleg Sir Gar, was TAD Builders for the construction of a new community centre at Felinfoel, Llanelli.

The building was built by local building contractors TAD who are also part of the LABC Partnership with Carmarthenshire Building Control. The building provides a focal point for the community with facilities for the rugby, football and cricket teams.

The first floor has offices, which are utilised by Communities First and Communities 2.0. On the ground floor are the changing rooms and officials’ room together with the groundsman’s store and machine room. The first floor contains offices and the function room/bar with a purpose built kitchen.

The design and quality of the building is immediately evident with a very traditional and solid feel to the finishes, notwithstanding the cedar cladding and use of bright materials which emphasis the buildings impressive feel. The contractor has delivered a very high quality product and through site agent Adam Jones good communications and an eagerness to deal with problems head on and ultimately deliver a very fine product.

The best large commercial development (over £5m), sponsored by LBS Builders Merchants, was won by the WRW Group for the construction of the Strategic Co-ordination Centre at Dyfed Powys Police Head Quarters, Llangunnor.

For more information on LABC contact:

http://www.labcbuildingexcellenceawards.uk.com/

More Pictures:

Caption 1: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Anthony Rees, winning contractor Paul Davies, LABC president Mike Sanson, Rob Cockburn of LBS, and Carmarthenshire County Council Principal Building Control Surveyor Steven Pound.

Pic Jeff Connell

Caption 2: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Kevin Edwards, Carmarthenshire County Council Building Control Surveyor Stephen Butler, LABC president Mike Sanson, Lesley Garland, John Garland, and Daryl Thomas of Coleg Sir Gar.

Pic Jeff Connell

Caption 3: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Gareth Richards, LABC president Mike Sanson, Andrew Griffiths, Tony Salini, Daryl Thomas of Coleg Sir Gar.

Pic Jeff Connell

Caption 4: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: LABC president Mike Sanson, Building Control Surveyor Clive Evans, Sophie Thomas, Lee Turpin, George Parker of Parker Plant Hire.

Pic Jeff Connell

Caption 5: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Gareth Richards, LABC president Mike Sanson, Andrew Griffiths, Dylan Davies, Katie Anderson of Machynys Peninsula.

Pic Jeff Connell

Caption 6: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Huw Griffiths, LABC president Mike Sanson, Arwel Rowlands, Hugh Davies, Stuart Doel, Building Control Surveyor Eifion Jones and George Parker of Parker Plant Hire.

Pic Jeff Connell

Caption 7: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Martyn Osbourne,Ewart Wilson, Carmarthenshire County Council Principal Building Control Surveyor Steven Pound, Jamie Best of Melin and LABC president Mike Sanson.

Pic Jeff Connell

Caption 8: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: LABC president Mike Sanson, Joanna Morgan, Wyn Walters, Robert Williams, Carmarthenshire County Council Principal Building Control Surveyor Steven Pound, and Katie Anderson of Machynys Peninsula.

Pic Jeff Connell

Caption 9: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Building Control Surveyor Eifion Jones, Nicole Jones, Michael Parkin, Lucy Parkin, David Somerfield, LABC president Mike Sanson, and Mathew John of Melin.

Pic Jeff Connell

Caption 10: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Building Control Surveyor Paul Reed, Wyn Walters, Andrew Collins, Andrew Lewis, LABC president Mike Sanson and George Parker of Parker Plant.

Pic Jeff Connell

Caption 11: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Julian Mansel Thomas, Carmarthenshire County Council Principal Building Control Surveyor Steven Pound, Susan Lewis, Adam Jones, LABC president Mike Sanson, Daryl Thomas of Coleg Sir Gar and Delwyn Jones.

Pic Jeff Connell

Caption 12: LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Building Control Surveyor Paul Reed, LABC president Mike Sanson, Perry Simpson,Wyn Walters, Andrew Lewis, Rob Cockburn of LBS and Andrew Collins.

Pic Jeff Connell