News on St Martin’s Re-ordering

This has been a busy time for the teams working on re-ordering.

Progress is as follows:-

  • Two “buildings” project teams have been established
  • the overall management team is Father Robert, John Pettit and myself. John is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, with in depth design, construction and project knowledge and experience, so will be able to professionally challenge the architects
  • The “design team” consists of the parish wardens, the St Martin’s sub-wardens and two volunteers from the PCC - David Hanks and Ashley Smith
  • A measured survey has been completed giving us vital information to be able to produce detailed plans and levels, including ramps for disability access.
  • An initial set of ideas for space plans was produced by our Architects, Caroe and partners. Then our small “design team” from the PCC reviewed these and cross-checked them against the “initial requirements” we agreed in November last year, and the list of items to be accommodated from the Parish Hall. The resulting drafts plans went on display in the church.
  • Caroe and partners developed a new version of the plans, this time including significant “design flair”, which promises to be quite stunning. These plans were reviewed by our design team on 6th May, presented to the PCC on 14th May, and to a congregational meeting on 17th. There were many questions, and there are still details to be sorted out, but I think that most people were impressed and very pleased with the concepts set out.
  • A Quantity Surveyor has now been commissioned, and we await with interest what he has to say – this exercise will give us an outline price for the work defined in the plans we have seen.

As our architects were quick to point out at the congregational meeting, these plans are not set in stone – and there will no doubt be changes as we go forward. For example, an initial check of storage requirements has been carried out, and this work now needs to progress to the next level of detail.

The latest state of the plans is available for inspection in St Martin’s for anyone who is interested. A couple of mock-up views are included here for your information

This is a view showing the proposed stair to the first floor, in front of teh “Lady Window”, showing the font in front

This is a view from the chancel steps, showing what it might look like with the two new floors in place

Next steps are:-

  • Consultation with Caerphilly County Borough (Planners and Building control), to check out technical aspects of the design, and gain their support. They have suggested a display in the Visitor Centre at the Twyn, as part of a wider consultation, including local government representatives. This is an important development for the town, after all!!
  • Application for a faculty – an initial meeting has been held, and there will now be a “prior notification” form sent to the DAC. This will probably result in a site visit for representative of the DAC to view the church and comment on the plans.
  • Consultation with grant-making bodies – meetings have been arranged with Caerphilly County Borough, and with the Van Church grants team, to get some advice on how to do it. Applications will go off when prices are known.
  • Chasing the Diocese and the Wales Government for completion of their deliberations on the distribution of funds from the sale of the Hall
  • Fundraising...... Ashley Smith has had a “funding thermometer” made, which is in the church – please have a look to see how we are getting on!! There is a long way to go!! If you have any good ideas, please let us know.
  • Detailed designis scheduled through June/July – with approval points for the PCC at the end of each month.
  • Then in August we go into formal applications for planning, faculty, and grants, in parallel with preparation of tender documents. This is a long phase, with lots of “waiting time” for replies etc. – there is a formal approval point for the PCC at the end of the year, before we start the tender process and the build phase in 2013.

This will be a very busy time for us all. If you are willing to get involved to help move this plan forward, please get in touch ...... !!