Taunton's UK Hydrographic Office rebuild takes major step forward

A planning application for the multi-million pound scheme is likely to be submitted later this year following the appointment this week of BAM Construction as the main contractor.

The new environmentally-friendly office at Admiralty Way will replace the existing inefficient and expensive to maintain premises.

UKHO chief executive John Humphrey said: "The new office will create a modern, collaborative working environment.

"As well as bringing cost efficiency, the new building will deliver up-to-date technology and working conditions to enable UKHO to sustain a long-term future as a data-centric organisation.”

BAM director Craig Allen said his firm has "significant experience of similar projects", in particular at the University of the West of England, in Bristol, and Cornwall Council Offices, in Bodmin.

He added: “BAM are thrilled to be given the opportunity to work in collaboration with the UKHO team.

"We look forward to bringing their vision for future operations to life by delivering a building that will support its work in the digital age.”

Progress on the project will now continue through the design stages with architects AHR and cost consultants MACE Group, with a planning application going to Taunton Deane Borough Council later this year.

Costs associated with the new office will be met by the UKHO from business receipts as a self-funding agency.

The UKHO will continue to operate from its current buildings until moving into the new office in 2019, when existing buildings will be demolished and the land at the front of the site sold for redevelopment.

The 'Hydro'. one of the county town's largest employers, had looked into a number of possibilities over its future before deciding to stay put and rebuild its offices.

Other options it had considered were moving to another site in or near Taunton, including a new build on the derelict Firepool site, or even relocating, with Exeter one of the places mooted.