News
Trust decides to build
Date: 06/02/2009
The Railway Land Wildlife Trust has finally managed to raise the money it needs to build an environmental change study centre at the entrance to the nature reserve which it has cherished for more than 20 years.
The Trust accepted the help of a property management firm, Lambert Smith Hampton, to embark on a design-and-build approach based on the £501,000 the Trust can commit to the building. Work on the centre, to be known as the Linklater Pavilion - centre for the study of environmental change, is planned to start this summer and the centre will open in Spring 2010. The Trust is continuing to raise funds to furnish and equip the centre once the building is in place.
The centre's key aim is to provide a local archive of transition and change that builds on the Trust's pioneering work since it was founded in 1988. It will be an innovative centre of environmental education for all generations, and a practical base for adults with learning disabilities working alongside schools.
The Trust's chairman, Dr John Parry, says: "We are so grateful to everyone who has believed in us. Despite the economic downturn, this is the time to be bold and build a community environmental centre that will help us face an uncertain future."
Peter Mettyear, of the Mettyear Charitable Trust, said: "The Trustees of the Mettyear Charitable Trust are delighted that the dedication and determination of John Parry and his loyal team over so many years has had this longed-for result. We are now ready to make our promised contribution to this wonderful project. Although Peter Linklater did not live to see his dream become real, Lewes will soon have a lasting, and thoroughly practical and useful, memorial to him. Well done RLWT."
Pat Rigg, Trust membership secretary, said: "In our twenty-first year the Railway Land Wildlife Trust has definitely 'come of age'. Raising such a large amount of money is a triumph for our loyal members and supporters. It has been a long haul but worth it! The Linklater Pavilion will be a great facility for all who care about the environment."
Tom Everington of Lambert Smith Hampton, the property consultancy which has advised the Trust on ways of reducing the centre's costs, said: "LSH are proud to be appointed by the Railway Land Wildlife Trust as project managers during the construction phase of this innovative project. Our reputation is our guarantee that the Linklater Pavilion will be finished when we say it will, and within budget! We have worked closely with the Trust to help bring this project to reality, and we look forward with great optimism to the start on site when things will really get going."
The Trust has already raised £82,000 locally and spent it on planning permission, building regulations and a tendering process to determine the cost of the building. The revised plans will need cabinet approval from Lewes District Council in March but the Trust has consulted the Council at all stages and does not foresee a problem. Council officers are starting work on a draft lease of the site to the Trust, and the Trust intends to provide a full update to the Council in March.
The Trust also expressed its thanks to its founder patrons Lord Healey and Professor Ivor Goodson for their support, to an anonymous Brighton donor who made a recent pledge of £10,000, and to everyone who has helped it in its fundraising.
The Trust accepted the help of a property management firm, Lambert Smith Hampton, to embark on a design-and-build approach based on the £501,000 the Trust can commit to the building. Work on the centre, to be known as the Linklater Pavilion - centre for the study of environmental change, is planned to start this summer and the centre will open in Spring 2010. The Trust is continuing to raise funds to furnish and equip the centre once the building is in place.
The centre's key aim is to provide a local archive of transition and change that builds on the Trust's pioneering work since it was founded in 1988. It will be an innovative centre of environmental education for all generations, and a practical base for adults with learning disabilities working alongside schools.
The Trust's chairman, Dr John Parry, says: "We are so grateful to everyone who has believed in us. Despite the economic downturn, this is the time to be bold and build a community environmental centre that will help us face an uncertain future."
Peter Mettyear, of the Mettyear Charitable Trust, said: "The Trustees of the Mettyear Charitable Trust are delighted that the dedication and determination of John Parry and his loyal team over so many years has had this longed-for result. We are now ready to make our promised contribution to this wonderful project. Although Peter Linklater did not live to see his dream become real, Lewes will soon have a lasting, and thoroughly practical and useful, memorial to him. Well done RLWT."
Pat Rigg, Trust membership secretary, said: "In our twenty-first year the Railway Land Wildlife Trust has definitely 'come of age'. Raising such a large amount of money is a triumph for our loyal members and supporters. It has been a long haul but worth it! The Linklater Pavilion will be a great facility for all who care about the environment."
Tom Everington of Lambert Smith Hampton, the property consultancy which has advised the Trust on ways of reducing the centre's costs, said: "LSH are proud to be appointed by the Railway Land Wildlife Trust as project managers during the construction phase of this innovative project. Our reputation is our guarantee that the Linklater Pavilion will be finished when we say it will, and within budget! We have worked closely with the Trust to help bring this project to reality, and we look forward with great optimism to the start on site when things will really get going."
The Trust has already raised £82,000 locally and spent it on planning permission, building regulations and a tendering process to determine the cost of the building. The revised plans will need cabinet approval from Lewes District Council in March but the Trust has consulted the Council at all stages and does not foresee a problem. Council officers are starting work on a draft lease of the site to the Trust, and the Trust intends to provide a full update to the Council in March.
The Trust also expressed its thanks to its founder patrons Lord Healey and Professor Ivor Goodson for their support, to an anonymous Brighton donor who made a recent pledge of £10,000, and to everyone who has helped it in its fundraising.
Trustees vote unanimously at Lewes Town Hall