First post of the new year

Sorry for the delay since the last posting; Christmas, New Year and then getting back into the swing have interrupted normal service.  But we are very much back into the swing now...

We're within grasping distance of having building regulations approval!  We've been told we've done everything that is required, just the paperwork to get sorted, and that is in hand.

We've reviewed the planning conditions associated with our planning permission:

• We need to start work within 3 years of getting planning permission - this will definitely happen, we're on about 18 months at the moment
• We need approval that we are not disturbing any archaeology - we have a letter confirming that this is the case
• We need the Environment Agency to approve our drainage plans - we have a letter confirming that this is the case
• We need to comply with the Biodiversity Report prepared during the planning phase - we have a copy of that report and will work with our contractors to ensure we comply
• The building, once in place, must only be used in compliance with the Section 106 Agreement governing our use of the Lakes site - we are already obliged to comply with that, and will continue to do so
• We need approval of the facing and roofing materials before we start work - samples are being acquired and prepared as I write

So all of that is in a good state, and only the last condition (materials approval) needs immediate attention, which it is getting.

Detailed discussions are now well underway about actually starting building work - who is involved, when (weather and daylight permitting), what materials we need to choose, gain approval for, procure (and when we need them) etc.

Oh, and more fundraising going on, of course!

Yes, 2011 has really started for us.