Honiton Town Council discusses progress of the town’s new community centre.

Work on the new Beehive Community Centre is ahead of schedule, Honiton Town Council has revealed.

Councillor John Zarczynski told a meeting last week that the piling work on the Dowell Street site had been completed earlier than expected.

He said: “The good news is all the excavating has now been done. The contractors are two weeks ahead of schedule.”

The meeting heard that all the piling work had been expected to take two weeks. In the event, it was completed in three days.

The contractors are now looking at the foundations of the site.

Cllr Zarczynski added: “We are now looking forward to coming out of the ground. I am confident, providing that there is nothing unforeseen, that the project will be ahead of schedule.”

He advised that a geological report had been carried out and there was no sign of contamination found at the site. Cllr Zarczynski said: “It is not a former Honiton tip as some suggested.”

The council discussed a letter it had received from a resident regarding noise and vibrations from the site – for which the meeting heard the resident had received apologies from the council.

Councillor Vernon Whitlock said: “Can we thank all the residents for their tolerance. We are grateful it only lasted three days not two weeks.”

He said residents would be receiving regular updates from Midas – the contractor carrying out the build.

Councillor Sharon Pavey added: “We need to do all we can to be sympathetic to all residents that live nearby and we have got to listen to everybody’s concerns.”

An earlier statement from the town council on the progress of the build prior to the meeting said: “No problems were found with the ground and the spoil is being removed by local contractor Bob Hill.

“The Japanese knotweed on the border of the site, that has been a concern of some local residents, has been inspected by East Devon District Council parks department and would appear to be well under control.

“However, the site of the knotweed, which is well away from the building, will continue to be monitored by specialist contractors and treated regularly to ensure no reoccurrence.”

It is expected that if all continues to go to plan, the community centre will be handed over to the town council by the end of December this year.