Herbert Baggaley Construction has just started work on a £630,000 refurbishment project in Newark to convert a Grade II listed building, previously occupied by Mount Lane School, into two-storey warden accommodation and communal facilities. 

The property, which is now owned by St Leonard's Hospital Trust, is situated on a 1,500 sq m site on Mount Lane in the centre of the town. The refurbishment project is the first phase of a wider scheme designed by Guy St John Taylor Associates of Newark to create 22 units of warden assisted accommodation for the elderly. 

Most of the original buildings on the site have already been demolished although the foundations still remain, with much of the space created currently used as a public car park. The one remaining building is being refurbished to create the new communal facilities which will be used by the whole community.

The refurbishment project will bring a number of challenges as access to the site is via the public car park which will remain open during the building work. It is also close to two schools and a supermarket. Close liaison will be needed with the schools as well as with the parking attendants, particularly when arranging delivery times.

The second phase of the scheme comprising a new timber framed residential building of twelve sheltered accommodation units will follow the refurbishment and the foundations are already being laid. Construction of the third phase which will comprise of a further ten units will begin once additional funding has been secured.

"Our focus will be on ensuring that we carry out the sympathetic restoration of this Grade II listed building whilst clearly being mindful of the challenges that working in a busy town centre location brings," said Ian Baggaley, managing director of Mansfield based Herbert Baggaley Construction. "It is a great project to work on and we look forward to seeing the building fully restored."