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Once the charity’s objectives had been identified and an eco-build decided upon, Disability Essex proceeded by taking advice and guidance from RIBA.  Three proposals were shortlisted for further consideration; the successful design being submitted by Simmonds Mills Architects.

As the charity worked with the architect to refine the design, they started the process of looking for a suitable site and applying for planning permission.  To fund the project they sold their existing headquarters which had been the charity’s base since its inception in 1974, and moved into portacabins. 

Finding a site and obtaining the relevant planning consent then became the next major obstacle before construction could begin.

Various sites were identified as suitable and obtainable but the charity struggled to obtain planning permission for them.  Three years later, having made detailed investigations on 10 sites and submitted 4 different planning applications, the right site had still not been found; and their temporary home was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

Eventually, an offer arrived from Essex County Council to sell them part of the Adult Education Centre site.  However, the offer was made with no promise of planning permission.  The charity decided to risk it and bought the site unconditionally.

By August 2008 the charity had successfully managed to obtain planning permission.  It was at this point, when the charity had a set of plans, a site and a planning permission all assembled, that they sought advice from the Inspire East Design Review Panel.

Why?

There is a compelling case for the work that Disability Essex undertakes. Richard Boyd, the Chief Executive, points to the fact that a 40-year old disabled person who does not work generates a net cost £180,000 before retirement.  However, a 40-year old disabled person who is able to access and partake in work positively generates £140,000 of tax before retirement.

75% of the charity’s staff – full-time, part-time and voluntary – is disabled.  A main part of the charity’s focus is on providing support and training for disabled people to access the work place - helping around 15,000 people a year.  This includes providing taxi drivers in Essex with disability training (in one year 250 drivers achieved NVQ level 2) and providing free MiDAS minibus training to local volunteer and disability support groups who cannot afford to pay for this guidance.

Qualified access auditors trained by Disability Essex have undertaken 100 access audits to help people remain in employment and they will also be training a number of paralegal advisors to NVQ level 3.

The new headquarters can also be used to provide training courses - in collaboration with Construction Skills - aimed at training builders in the new eco agenda.  It is estimated that 1,000 people a year in the region stop working in the construction industry due to acquired disability.

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