Forestry Commission

Tree house projected completed for Forest Holidays

Posted on by barques

Our project management experts have been climbing high in Cornwall and North Yorkshire, thanks to an unusual contract to oversee the design and construction of two fantastic tree houses for Forest Holidays at their Deerpark and Keldy resorts.

Commissioned by Forest Holidays, a joint venture with the Forestry Commission and The Camping and Caravanning Club, the luxury tree houses were completed within five weeks and now provide a unique additional bedroom for a number of the log cabins, which were refurbished earlier this year.  

“Our remit was to assist in agreeing a suitable location for the tree houses and coordinate their design with building control on resolving a number of difficult design issues,” said director Gavin Stephens.

“The fire escape was a particularly difficult issue but it was actually resolved by providing rope ladders from the tree houses, which are very in-keeping with the surroundings.

“We also undertook a value engineering exercise with the contractor to reduce the cost of the scheme with a view to constructing further tree houses at another site in Strathyre, Scotland.”

This was the third project we have been awarded by Forest Holidays, after the building consultancy project managed the fit-out of the national organisation’s new headquarters in Moira in Derbyshire, followed by 25 log cabins across three sites in Cornwall, North Yorkshire and Scotland.

“This was a challenging project and a first for all of the team. A flexible approach and the ability to apply a breadth of knowledge enabled us to create innovative and cost-effective solutions to achieve the desired result for the client,” said Gavin.

Richard Palmer from Forest Holidays added: “We are extremely pleased with the success of this project.  Delivering the  quality of tree house that we desired  within a tight budget was a tall order but they are a  fantastic addition to the log cabins  which are now fully booked for the next 18 months!”

We have now been appointed to provide project management advice on the second phase of the log cabins refurbishment programme and a further tree house at Strathyre in Scotland, all to be completed over the next six months.

Fusion remodels luxury log cabins

Posted on by barques

Fusion Building Consultancy has been getting away to the country, after completing a £1.2 million contract to make log cabin escapes for stressed executives.

It comes after we won the contract with Forest Holidays in a joint venture with the Forestry Commission to refurbish 25 log cabins across three sites in Cornwall, North Yorkshire and Scotland.

The remodelled luxury cabins have been designed to attract stressed-out executives looking to escape to the peace and seclusion of a woodland retreat. Hot-tubs and lakeside views are provided to aid relaxation.

Director Gavin Stephens said: “Our remit was to interpret the designs and make them work cost effectively.

“To appeal to a more discerning market, we had to fit new kitchens, bathrooms and create a mezzanine floor for a further bedroom.

“The level of new specification created many challenges, particularly as the water and electrical supplies weren’t sufficient for the upgrades.  We had to develop some clever ideas to make it all work – whilst at the same time fitting work in between key holiday periods.”

The project, which has taken three months to complete, was the second to be awarded to us by Forest Holidays, after we refurbished the national organisation’s new headquarters in Moira in Derbyshire.

Gavin added: “Being able to understand the whole of a project enables us to create innovative and cost-effective solutions to achieve the desired result for the client.

“This latest contract also demonstrates our ability to work nationally. You could not get more UK-wide than Cornwall to Scotland, but being centrally located in Birmingham means we are well placed to head North or South.”