WBA selected for Graham Solley Sports Development Centre

Following our successful bid to be appointed on to the Sheffield Hallam University consultants framework, Watson Batty Architects have been selected to undertake the first framework project, the redevelopment of the Graham Solley Sports Development Centre.  The redevelopment of the centre on Bawtry Road will allow students access to high quality sports facilities including Cricket, Football and International Rugby Union. The development will include full size synthetic turf pitches, natural grass pitches, along with a two storey pavilion accommodating changing rooms, bars, function rooms, kitchen, and other ancillary accommodation.

When completed, the facilities will house the Sheffield United Cricket Club, the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) teams and number of Community Sports Clubs.

Canopy takes shape on new elite Throw Centre

Construction is nearing completion on the new Loughborough University and UK Athletics elite performance throw centre on campus. With the structure and canopy now in place only the specialist floor surfacing and  hammer/discuss cage remain to be completed in the next few weeks.

74 Slow Worms Translocated from Morrisons Site

Following an Ecology survey, that identified the presence of slow worms and lizards, on a site to be developed by Wm Morrison Supermarkets in Exeter, a successful operation to ‘trap, capture and relocate’ the slow worms has been successfully completed prior to them hibernating. With the help of the Local Authorities Parks Department a suitable home was identified approximately 2 miles from their existing habitat.


What are Slow Worms?
Slow Worms look superficially like snakes, but are actually semi-fossorial (burrowing) legless 
lizards spending much of the time hiding underneath objects. The skin of the varieties of slow
worm is smooth with scales that do not overlap one another. Like many other lizards, slow worms autotomize, meaning that they have the ability to shed their tails in order to escape predators. Slow Worms can grow to a total body length of 45 cm but 30-40 cm is more typical.


Legislation relating to the slow-worm
Slow-worms are protected against killing, injuring and sale under UK legislation:
Bern Convention 1979: Appendix III
Wildlife & Countryside Act (as Amended) 1981: Schedule 5
Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW 2000)

Elland Nu-swift and Morrisons Superstore go out to Tender

Watson Batty Architects Ltd has just completed the tender package for a proposed new development on Eastgate/ Wistons Lane, Elland. Working on behalf of Nu-swift International Ltd and Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc the project will see a brand new production facility built to re-house the existing Nu-swift operation as well as a Morrisons Superstore.

Construction is due to start on the proposed Nu-swift building early in 2012 with the Morrisons store construction beginning in spring 2012. The store should be open in time for Christmas next year.

New Royal Mail Medway Mail Centre becomes water tight!

The new Medway Mail Centre has now become water tight. This is a crucial stage in the £15m project as the complicated automation machinery can now begin to be delivered and installed.

This new Mail Centre will be at the centre of Royal Mail operations in Kent and is due to complete, on time, at the end of January.

Watson Batty is proud of the ongoing relationship it has with Royal Mail and is delighted to be involved with this major project.

Situated on the outskirts of Strood, the site geography is such that Watson Batty has created an inventive and dynamic design solution with high car parking areas and link bridge into the new buildings entrance. Using up-to-date building methods, the building itself brings a dramatic design to, what could have been, a standard industrial building.

WBA appointed for Nottingham leisure centre project

Watson Batty Architects have been appointed by Gedling Borough Council as Lead Consultant and Project Architect to undertake a detailed options appraisal of Arnold Leisure Centre, Nottingham.  

Working closely alongside WBA and GBC will be design team colleagues Pick Everard,  V4 Services Limited as consultants, and Nottingham City Council as client advisors  The project is due to complete by the end of this year, reviewing and advising upon various refurbishment and redevelopment opportunities for the existing 1981 leisure centre and site.  WBA are delighted to support Gedling Borough Council providing extensive knowledge and experience of public leisure facilities and leading sports and leisure sector design.

For more information click here or click here.

New Athletics facility takes off

Construction of the new Loughborough University and UK Athletics national Elite Throw Centre has recently commenced on site.  This exciting and unique facility for elite athletes is due to be completed in November 2011.

A tensile fabric canopy will provide additional cover and protection from the elements to enable our leading Olympic competitors (Javelin, Hammer, Shot Put and Discus) to practice in the field in all conditions leading up to London 2012 and to provide a future legacy facility.

Stadium steelwork completed on time

Construction of the new Loughborough University Holywell Park stadium gains momentum with the recent completion of the structural steelwork package. 

An exciting outline of the new £3m project is now emerging on site with the main clubhouse steelwork and ongoing installation of the spectator terracing. Completion of the project will provide a first class sports venue facility for the University’s football and rugby teams and is expected in early Spring 2012.