The Department hopes substantially to complete the facilities by March 2007 within a budget of £18 million

4.16  Following Laser's enquiry in July 2004 about a negotiated termination, the Department instructed HDR and Turner & Townsend to prepare a master list of defects and outstanding work. The advisers considered that all the problems with the new facilities were fixable, except possibly satisfying the most stringent sub-audible noise requirements. Their view was that these requirements might not be compatible with Laser's design for the new facilities, but that it would be worthwhile trialling some relatively low cost solutions before committing to more radical measures. If these trials fail, the Department intends to provide the required facilities by refurbishing some of its existing laboratories.

4.17  The Department's advisers estimated that remedying the defects and completing the outstanding work (Figure 16) would cost about £18 million. There is uncertainty about the cost of refurbishing existing laboratories to meet the most stringent sub-audible noise requirements because the Department does not yet have a proven design. The Department also prepared a works schedule. If the Department's project team and contractors adhere to the schedule, the new facilities will be complete by March 2007, unless refurbishment of existing pre-contract laboratories is required to provide facilities that meet the most stringent sub-audible noise requirements.