Melin Consultants, the fast-growing South Wales firm of environment and sustainability experts, has played its part in helping to recognise quality builders in Carmarthenshire.
Melin sponsored two categories at Carmarthenshires 2011 Local Authority Building Control Excellence Awards ceremony at the Machynys Peninsula Golf Club in Llanelli.
Working closely with constructors and builders we get to see plenty of examples of excellent work in Carmarthenshire, said Melin managing director Jamie Best.
Sponsoring two award categories was our way of helping to recognise the achievements of excellent building projects in Carmarthenshire.
A total of 12 building projects were recognised at the awards, which were introduced by LABC (Local Authority Building Control) President Mike Sanson.
The county councils director of regeneration, Dave Gilbert, said: It was not too many years ago people used to say buildings and homes to the standard we are achieving in the county now could never happen in Carmarthenshire.
But the quality guidelines laid down by our building control officers are being respected and adhered to by contractors and developers and landmark building of outstanding design and quality are appearing all over the county.
The councils Executive Board member for regeneration and leisure, Councillor Clive Scourfield, said: It is brilliant to see contractors within the county doing such a wonderful job and being recognised with the best of the best. I am so pleased to see the high quality buildings we have here in Carmarthenshire.
The Best Education Building, sponsored by Melin, was won by Kier Western for the construction of a new primary school at Brynsierfel, Llwynhendy, Llanelli.
The school was built on the site of the former Brynsierfel School, which was completely demolished. The site had its own issues being very steeply sloping, which meant the school being built on two levels with the upper section incorporating the hall, kitchen and administration areas and the lower section containing the teaching areas.
The changes in level resulted in features such as steps and stairs being a significant issue which needed consideration, assessment and agreement to ensure safety requirements were not compromised.
A prominent design feature of the project was the curved retaining wall, which swept along the whole length of the school. The main contractor operated a very professional site set up. Together with the on-site Clerk of Works Andrew Thyer, a very good team approach was utilised in all aspects of the project, which helped deliver on time a successful project which fully satisfied the modern design brief.
The award was presented to Kier Western by Melin managing director Jamie Best.
Melin also sponsored the Best Sustainable Project (Residential), which was won by Heritage 2000 for a barn conversion and alterations to a dwelling at Troed Rhiw Gelynin, Rhandirmwyn, Llandovery.
The property is situated in rural countryside to the north of Rhandirmwyn and on a country lane leading to Cwrt Y Cadno with stunning views across the valley.
The main house and attached barn have been converted to a high standard with the main theme of sustainability, ground source heat pump, thermal store, under floor heating, lime render both internally and externally.
A modern kitchen has been incorporated with the existing timber A frames which have been sand blasted and treated to enrich their colour and appearance. The builder was diligent in his methods and always eager to achieve the highest standards of build quality. The award was presented to Heritage 2000 by Melins Mathew John.

LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Martyn Osbourne,Ewart Wilson, Carmarthenshire County Council Principal Building Control Surveyor Steven Pound, Jamie Best of Melin and LABC president Mike Sanson.
Pic Jeff Connell, Carmarthenshire County Council

LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Building Control Surveyor Eifion Jones, Nicole Jones, Michael Parkin, Lucy Parkin, David Somerfield, LABC president Mike Sanson, and Mathew John of Melin.
Pic Jeff Connell, Carmarthenshire County Council
Weblinks:
http://www.melinconsultants.co.uk
http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/English/news/Pages/QualitybuildersinCarmarthenshirerecognised.aspx
http://www.labcbuildingexcellenceawards.uk.com
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Melin Energy Consultants has been providing SAP & SBEM calculations for local authorities, architects, builders & developers over a number of years.
All Melin technicians have a wealth of experience in dealing with individual requirements.
The company motto is "10% calculation 90% solution".
As a building consultancy specialising in Part L of the Building Regulations and environmental assessing of new buildings, Melin technicians are qualified and accredited to issue certification in all the following fields BREEAM, Code for Sustainable Homes, EPC, SBEM, SAP, air-tightness testing.
Contact details: Melin, Llys Aur, Llanelli Gate, Dafen, Llanelli, SA14 8LQ
t: 0845 094 1593
m: 07800 634804
e: jamie@melinconsultants.co.uk