Leeds Bradford Airport Apron Walkway Almost Complete

Watson & Batty were commissioned to design an apron passenger walkway at Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) in October 2012.

The walkway was to offer a covered access for passenger access & egress aircraft from gates 8 to 14 inclusive and totaled distance of 155 metres. To give full flexibility the structure has three aisles offering interchangeable access to both arriving & departing passengers to balance peak demand.

The structure is naturally vented & fully glazed for passenger comfort.Phase one & two of the project were completed in October 2012 with phase three due for completion at the end of 2012.

Royal Mail Projects win two National CDM Awards

The recently completed projects at Tyneside Mail Centre and Leeds Mail Centre, part of the Royal Mail North East Transformation Programme, had received three nominations to the 2012 Association for Project Safety National CDM Awards. Royal Mail Group Property, with their Consultants and Contractor, were outright winners of both the Regional Health & Safety Awards and CDM Co-ordinator of the Year Award.

The APS Awards are the construction industry's premier showpiece for excellence in Design and Construction, they recognise projects with an outstanding and innovative approach to Health & Safety.

On the two Mail Centre projects the Royal Mail operators, main contractor Wates Construction and the design team collaborated to promote a culture of zero-tolerance to H&S risks which resulted in over 200,000 accident free hours across the two projects over an 18 months period. Innovative measures included a red-card system for unsafe acts, stringent policy on the use of PPE, weekly planning meetings of the work ahead and monthly rewards for individuals and sub-contractors demonstrating exemplary H&S awareness and initiative.

Overall a great team effort.

The new extension at Tyneside Mail Centre

Leeds Mail Centre during construction

University of Huddersfield Student Learning and Leisure Centre Gains Planning Approval

The new £22.5m Student Learning and Leisure Centre for the University of Huddersfield received planning permission during a special committee meeting on the 10th September. The facility provides much needed sports accommodation including an 8 badminton court sports hall, fitness suite, squash courts, a climbing wall, and a range of studios and a spa. To compliment the leisure activities the new development integrates social learning and catering facilities, student services, students' union and the existing library  accommodation, and a new corporate suite.

The striking appearance and use of modern materials crates a unique identity on a key gate way into the town.

Demolition and enabling works are currently ongoing with the main phase of construction work due to start on site before Christmas. The project is due for completion in Spring 2014.

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WBA appointed for Limehurst High School, Loughborough

Watson Batty Architects have been appointed by Limehurst High School as Project Architect to deliver a Property Strategy to determine the best option for the redevelopment of the High School.

WBA are working closely with the school headmaster, teachers, governors and the Project Managers AA Projects to deliver this exciting development. 

Graham Solley Sports Centre starts on site

Construction work has started on the first phase of an exciting £4.8 million development of the site at Bawtry Road, Sheffield. Works at this phase involve heavy engineering ground works relating to the reinstatment and reseeding of 5 grass pitches for football and rugby.

A second Planning Application has been submitted to Sheffield City Council for the wider site development including 2 full size synthetic turf pitches, flood lights for 3 grass pitches, a new sports hall (future Development), two storey pavilion with 12 team changing rooms, bar, function rooms, kitchen and other ancillary accommodation.   

WBA appointed for Queens Park Sports Centre, Chesterfield

Watson Batty Architects have been appointed by Chesterfield College as Lead Consultant and Project Architect to deliver a feasibility study to determine the best option for redeveloping the Queens Park Sports Centre.

WBA are working closely with Chesterfield Borough Council and design team colleagues Buro Happold, Turner & Townsend and Knight Kavanagh & Page. 

The study is due to complete by the end of September reviewing and advising on various refurbishment and redevelopment opportunities for the existing 1960s and 1980s sports centre site. 

Morrisons contend for NACS award second year running

It has been announced that the National Association of Convenience Stores will be touring the UK in September 2012 visiting leading convenience formats. The tour will see the NACS visiting Morrison’s M-local once again with an opportunity to meet the store team behind the new c-store concept. 


M-local was highly commended in Insight NACS’ 2011 International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award for its innovation with fresh food in a small format. Watson Batty were pleased to assist Morrisons as Lead Designers in delivering the first M-local store in Ilkley, followed by Wilmslow with a third store due to open in Widnes.


Watson Batty wish Morrisons the best of luck with there forthcoming visit! 


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Olympic Torch reaches Loughborough University Stadium

Hundreds of local school children greeted the London 2012 Olympic Torch as it passed through the recently completed Loughborough University Stadium designed by Watson Batty Architects.  The torch entered the stadium to huge cheers from the near capacity crowd before embarking on one circuit of the ground and then being exchanged between the Torch relay runners. 

Loughborough University is the official base camp for Team GB in the lead up to the Olympic Games where some of the recently completed WBA sports projects will be used by our Olympians.

Watson Batty Architects wish all concerned and Team GB the very best of luck.