New monastery on site in Liverpool

Nobles Construction has started work on the first Carmelite monastery to be built in the city for more than a century.

The monastery at Maryton Grange, Allerton will be the new home to the Carmelite Sisters who are relocating from their present monastery in West Derby.

Carmelite Monastery LiverpoolThe 386,000 sq ft project on Allerton Road was designed by architects Austin-Smith:Lord and will be home to 30 sisters. The three storey building will be constructed with traditional materials and will feature a central chapel, cloister and work areas, together with a care facility for elderly sisters.

Nobles Construction will also be undertaking extensive landscaping works to the monastery gardens. The works will include the planting of new wildflower meadows and water features to benefit the local wildlife and habitat together with the planting of over 1,500 trees.

Ecology and sustainability are at the heart of the new building design which will include ground source heating, solar panels and rainwater harvesting facilities.

The 60-week project is expected to be completed in summer 2012. The Carmelite order is funding the project from the sale of other assets around the country.

Peter Linford, director of Nobles Construction, said: "This is an exciting and challenging project for us as it will be the first new build Carmelite monastery in Liverpool for more than a century.

"The building and landscaping has been designed to meet the requirements of the order and remain sympathetic to a traditional style monastery whilst incorporating 21st century facilities.

"We are working closely with the Prioress to ensure these needs are met and that their move is as smooth as possible. The new building will reflect its peaceful environment and include renewable energy installations as well as protecting existing wildlife."

The Prioress, Sister Mary, said: "Whilst West Derby has been our home for over 100 years and we will be sad to leave, we felt it was time to move to a location which will be more compatible with our way of life.

"For example the new monastery will allow us to be much more energy efficient and the gardens will also enable us to be self-sufficient whilst protecting the local habitat."

Peter Brack, director at Hardie Brack chartered surveyors, project managers to the Carmelite Sisters, said: "The monastery project has been five years in planning as we have adopted a collaborative approach to create a living environment that benefits the Sisters with their contemplative life."

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