Bourne again

Press Release: 20/02/2012

The Councils new Environmental Service Depot was opened by the Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Mrs Zilliah Brooks on Monday 20 February 2012.

The Council purchased the 3.5 acre site and offices off Sandy Lane, Romsey in January 2011 as a permanent base for its Southern Test Valley Environmental Services team.
Formerly the home of Bourne Training, the property had been lying vacant since 2009 and had fallen into some disrepair after several break-ins and vandalism.

The development has seen the refurbishment and upgrade of the existing building to provide office accommodation for both the Environmental Services team and other Test Valley Borough Council employees. Outside, new purpose built workshop and garage facilities will enable more efficient and cost-effective servicing and maintenance of Council vehicles. This facility was not available at the previous site meaning vehicles had to be taken to Andover on a regular basis. With one third of the Environmental Service fleet based in Romsey, there will be considerable savings in time, fuel and vehicle movements between Romsey and Andover.

At the opening ceremony, The Mayor, Councillor Mrs Zilliah Brooks was joined by The Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Carr, Councillor Peter Boulton, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services and Councillor Peter Giddings, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development. Councillor Carr said “Thanks must go to everyone who has been involved in getting this depot operational so quickly. The previous base for the Environmental Service had a number of operational limitations but this new up-to-date facility will enable the Environmental Team to provide a service that will meet the needs of southern Test Valley for the foreseeable future. We will also be able to manage ongoing costs far more effectively by owning the land outright”.

Following the purchase, the building was secured, planning permission for a new workshop and maintenance area obtained and designs for the new purpose-built depot put in place. Kier Construction was appointed to the project and moved onto the site in October 2011. Kier Construction Director, Martin Orr, commented: “By working closely with Test Valley Borough Council and understanding the needs of its Environmental Services team, Kier has provided a bespoke depot and office space that not only meets the needs of the client and delivers savings in time and money, but has also given a previously vacant, derelict area a new lease of life.”