The Mayfield Community & Health Centre project is regaining momentum with Plan B, which is a cost-reduced design albeit providing much the same functionality as Plan A.

Meetings with Wealden District Council (WDC) are now occurring regularly with monthly Project Board meetings and two weekly design team meetings.

Governance issues have been addressed and the financial structure is currently being re-affirmed. The focus on cost is ongoing since it is recognised as being key to the ultimate success of the project.  On the finance side, an application to the government’s Community Ownership Fund for £250k has been submitted and we think a strong case has been made, but we will probably not know the outcome until just after Christmas.

A new procurement model is being adopted which, together with being on a fixed price basis, will provide greater certainty regarding the final price to be paid.

Planning permission was granted for the original Plan A design and the joint project team is in discussion with the WDC planning department to determine whether a full re-submission will be required or whether a Section 73 agreement, that can be used to vary the conditions of a previous planning permission, might apply if the Plan B external design and location is substantially the same as Plan A.

As time goes by the project activity is steadily increasing and there will be more to report in the coming months.