KPT News March 2012

March News at KPTA

• We have entered one of our Wedding Venue Country House projects into the RIBA 2012 Regional Conservation Awards.
• We have also entered one of our Country House projects into the HHA/Sotheby’s Restoration Award 2012.
• We are very pleased that our January submission to the RICS Awards has been shortlisted.
• We are very pleased that the joint SMC/KPT CEDIA Awards 2012 entry of a home cinema has been shortlisted.
• At Finchingfield Guildhall, we exposed a 15th Century crown post and wattle and daub panels, hidden under a temporary tin roof.  We discovered, in a wall, 15th century Mullions with “high status” scalloped profile.  A wrought iron casement window has been found, and confirmed as being 17th century.
• The Round House is nearing completion.  The installation of hand-made oak doors and windows have turned this into a very pretty building.  Floor tiles are being laid.
• Permission has been granted allowing building and roofing works to a 15th century moated Hall House.  These works have now commenced.
• An application has been submitted for the conversion of a fine group of Listed farm buildings – including two Grade I Listed barns – to a wedding venue, set in beautiful Essex countryside.
• An application has been submitted for conversion work to a find Regency farm house – including a ‘Regency’ veranda and orangery extension.
• The Chancellor of the Exchequer stunned us, our clients and our contractors with his shock announcement, in The Budget on 21 March, that the VAT relief which currently applies to alterations to listed buildings is to be withdrawn with effect from 1 October 2012.
• Nicola has completed the final unit of her MSc Timber Building Conservation course.  This included Consolidation and Surface Finishes and Non-structural repair and treatment, and was held at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum.  Nicola now has to carry out her dissertation to complete her course.
• Muriel attended a seminar on “Successful marketing of your practice in difficult times” at the Smartlife Centre in Cambridge.
• Monica and Maria attended the Ecobuild Event in London, a day of seminars, exhibitions and displays on sustainable design, construction and the built environment.
• After many grueling lunchtime runs, Monica successfully completed the Cambridge Half Marathon in 2 hours 4 minutes, and raised £328 for her chosen charity, Cancer Research