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Technology Company Rejuvenates Derelict MoD Site for Corporate HQ Expansion SAS Institute, the Marlow-based software company that purchased the derelict MoD site next to its Medmenham headquarters building last year, has commenced redevelopment as part of a plan to expand its existing property. The redevelopment project began earlier this year, and is due to last for 3 years in total. Part of the development includes a cricket pitch and pavilion for use by the Medmenham Cricket Club. The Institute has endeavoured to ensure that all local residents have been informed as to the nature of the redevelopment and any potential impact on the local environment. The only disturbance to affect local residents is the construction of a new roundabout on the main Henley Road through Medmenham, designed to ensure the safe and effective control of traffic. Construction of the roundabout is already in progress and is due to last for 15 weeks in total. As part of the development of the roundabout, the Highways Agency has imposed traffic restrictions to ensure the safety of workers and civilians in the area. While this is an inconvenience in the short term, it is hoped that the eventual benefits will outweigh the disadvantages. Although a requirement of planning regulations, once complete, the roundabout will help to slow traffic on the busy and dangerous Henley Road, with the aim of ensuring the safety of local residents and reducing the risk of accidents. The company therefore hopes that its construction will eventually prove a useful and long-term benefit to the local community and one that significantly enhances road safety in the area. SAS Institute is covering all costs in connection with the roundabout development, before its adoption by the Highways agency, and in addition is replacing two bus shelters that were in need of repair. Keith Valder, Finance Director at SAS Institute commented: "While our expansion plans obviously mark an important move for us as a company, we also believe that they enable us to contribute directly to the local community as well. We have strong links with the local school in Medmenham, and are keen to ensure the safety of its pupils as well as other local residents. As such we believe that our current road project, though a short term inconvenience, will eventually prove very valuable to the local community." Some local residents have expressed concerns about the removal of trees from the site. The Institute is very concerned to ensure that the redevelopment of the site causes a minimal disturbance to the local environment, and has therefore ensured that all trees and plants on site were fully documented before work began, and that damaged and diseased trees have been removed. Already a large number of trees have been transferred to a nursery on-site to ensure that they are not damaged during building works. These trees will be transferred back to their original locations as soon as possible. A full replanting schedule is in place, and the Institute is also setting up its own nursery of the same type of trees on the site, so that any trees which become damaged or unsafe can be replaced by others grown in the same soil. This will help to ensure that the site is environmentally maintained throughout its development. Any enquiries about the redevelopment of the Medmenham site should be directed to Keith Valder at SAS Institute on 01628 486933. For press enquiries, please contact Becky Green at the SAS Institute press office on 0171 544 3202. world, and is the largest privately-owned software company. With turnover for 1998 of $781 million, the Institute is the leading provider of information delivery software.