Cowlin Construction commences onsite at Wheal Alfred Farm this month, working with the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) to construct a much needed new animal re-homing shelter on its existing site near Hayle.

Cowlin is working with architects and project managers Agora Management, specialists in the animal welfare sector, to complete the £1.2m contract.

Due for completion in time for Christmas 2008, the 39-week project will provide 24 new re-homing kennels and a 20-pen cattery, as well as a separate residential log cabin for the centre manager. The centre accommodates wheelchair access and works include parking and surrounding landscaping.

Mike O'Neill, regional managing director of Cowlin in Devon and Cornwall, said: "The Wheal Alfred Farm project is one of three contracts commencing for Cowlin in the spring. We are also starting work on two contracts in Falmouth - the Dracaena Youth Centre and Falmouth Community School. Our successful tenders for the start of 2008 confirm Cowlin's ongoing expansion and consolidation in the Devon and Cornwall region."

The design of the new Wheal Alfred Farm shelter includes several considerations to ensure there is minimal impact on the environment and its surroundings, with the inclusion of a small scale 9kW wind turbine, roof mounted solar hot water panels and a rainwater harvesting system. The building will incorporate measures to dissipate noise from the kennelling areas to avoid any disturbance to the surrounding area.

Cowlin will use building materials sympathetic to the rural location of the site, such as feather edge boarding to the external walls and metal profile roofing, resulting in an agricultural' feel. The kennelling areas will be fronted with galvanised panels.

The NAWT is one of the top ten animal rescue and re-homing charities in England and runs five re-homing centres in Watford, Berkshire, Essex, Somerset and Cornwall.