Found in Felbrigg Hall’s courtyard, the Squire's Pantry offers a wide variety of tasty seasonal treats. As a responsible restaurant, they make use of a grease trap to ensure that the waste is disposed of correctly. Their current grease trap emptied into a septic tank that had reached the end of its life and had to be condemned.
Felbrigg Hall is a 17th-century, Grade I listed, English country house that is owned and maintained by the National Trust. As a Grade I listed building due to its exceptional architectural and historical importance, any renovation works must not drastically change the appearance or feel of the structure and its surrounding areas. The grounds are a Grade II* Listed registered Park and Garden, which include an area of special scientific interest. This special site is where the current septic tank and drainage field are located, meant that we would not simply be able to replace the current septic tank system, and would need to come up with another drainage solution to avoid disturbing the grounds.
In order to provide drainage for the grease trap, with the least amount of disruption to visitors and the grounds, it was decided (in conjunction with the National Trust) to connect the grease trap to the main drainage system. Due to the drain levels, a pump system was required to pump the waste from the grease trap into the main sewerage system. With the help of our sister company Willow pumps, we designed a custom pump system, even down to a bespoke control panel in keeping with the style of the listed building.
Having worked on various National Trust sites in the past Metro Rod Norwich was well equipped to handle the unique and interesting challenge that this historic site posed. Our Engineers Chris White, Shane Rose and Dean Mason worked meticulously for 3 weeks to ensure that there was minimal disturbance to both the grounds and the visitors to the hall.
This drainage issue has been a longstanding matter for the National Trust and one that we were very keen to lay to rest before the beginning of our new financial year in March 2020. As the septic tank and drainage field serving the restaurant grease trap failed some time ago, we have been operating under a regime of having the grease trap and septic tank pumped out and emptied on a fortnightly basis for the last few years.
This alteration removed the need to do that and consolidates the drainage for the Hall, Stables and Service Wings into a single private drainage system, with the main septic tank in the West Garden now serving all the foul drainage on the site.
Metro Rod have provided a fantastic service to us throughout the process of getting these works completed, including comprehensive CCTV condition surveying and reporting, providing options appraisals, supporting us with documentation required for the Listed Building Consent application and working with us closely on the logistics of getting the works completed with minimal disruption to our staff, volunteers and visitors.
As facilities manager for the Portfolio It is my hope that any major projects run as smoothly as possible. The engineers were always professional and helpful whilst on site an absolute pleasure to work with. Client communication is very high on their list which led to the daily monitoring of the project run without any difficulties. Metro Rod exceeded expectations.
If you require drainage repairs or upgrades to your listed building, we can give you advice and guidance on maintaining or repairing your listed building, providing you with all the information you need to instruct a good quality repair in keeping with the original design and style of the building.
If you require more information about the services that we provide, or what is involved in carrying out work on a listed building, please call Metro Rod on 0800 66 88 00 today.
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