New Convent Building Provides Modern Accommodation for Sisters of the Holy Cross - Chalfont St Peter

Oxford, 28 June 2010: Regional construction company Beard hands over a brand new, purpose-built, convent building and chapel to the Sisters of the Holy Cross following a year long building project in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire. Beard was awarded the contract following the successful completion of a similar project for Elmthorpe Convent in Cowley, Oxford.

The new two storey building provides improved, more accessible, accommodation for the Sisters, many of whom are elderly, and consists of ten bedsitting rooms with views over gardens, together with two carer apartments, linked by a warden call system.

The Sisters also have associated living and community spaces within the building including a chapel, kitchen and dining areas, offices, and areas for relaxation and hobbies.

Cut into sloping ground the site required significant ground works to the rear of the building and a retaining bank. Extensive landscaping to form stepped gardens, as well as parking and garaging for three vehicles, completed the project.

To ensure the accommodation is low maintenance and environmentally sound, Beard has incorporated large feature windows for a bright and airy interior, sun pipes to light corridor areas, reducing the need for electric lighting, and heat source pumps to provide economical heating.

Construction director John Youle said: “This is our second convent building in as many years, completed by the same construction and design team. The Sisters are delighted with the finished building and the way in which we worked with them. It’s very satisfying, and a pleasure, to have delivered a fantastic new home for a group of people who really appreciate it. We hope to do similar projects with the same team in the future.”