Leading construction firm Willmott Dixon in Wales has completed its £6.9 million contract to build new office facilities for Monmouthshire County Council on time and on budget.
The council’s new HQ will be known as County Hall and is adjacent to Coleg Gwent’s Rhadyr campus in Usk. The state-of-the-art development consists of a 2,500 sq metre two-storey building, with two wings linked by a glazed area and a 170-space car park. It houses conference and meeting rooms, a debating chamber with tiered seating and open-plan offices with 88 work stations for the council’s employees as well as public access facilities for Monmouthshire’s residents to the council’s Development Control, Land Charge and Countryside teams.
The building has impressive sustainability features having received a BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of Very Good. In order to achieve this, Willmott Dixon installed photovoltaic panelling, an energy-efficient biomass boiler and daylight sensors to control lighting and reduce light energy wastage. The building also has rainwater harvesting capabilities and is predominantly naturally ventilated for a more organic air supply.
Throughout the build, the construction firm adhered to mitigation measures to protect the local wildlife, including nesting birds and four species of bat.
Willmott Dixon started on site last April and handed over the project to the council just 12 months later. The official opening will be on May 14.
Neal Stephens, managing director of Willmott Dixon in Wales, said: “We’ve been working with Monmouthshire County Council for over 13 years across various projects and we’re proud to announce that this latest contract has now been handed over to them on time and on budget.
“The new offices will provide the council with up-to-date facilities which are both practical and energy efficient. They have been built with the local environment at the forefront of our minds, with minimal disturbance to local species. They have also been built with the local economy in mind local subcontractors and suppliers.”
Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Estates, Councillor Bob Greenland said: “This move has saved the council millions in public money, as our old offices were no longer suitable for use and would have cost significantly more to renovate to an acceptable standard.
“The new County Hall has a fantastic sustainability rating and has been built by Willmott Dixon to maximise the space available and suit the council’s practical needs. In particular, 200 of the council’s employees will work from 88 work stations, saving space and money through the council’s agile working facilities.
“We are really pleased with the finished result and are looking forward to the formal opening on May 14.”
Willmott Dixon has previously worked on several construction projects for Monmouthshire County Council, including the recently completed Dewstow Primary and Nursery School in Caldicot.
The new council offices will officially open on May 14.