Student Success for Watson Batty

Stewart Brewer is our third successful employee to achieve their Higher National Diploma in Building Studies, after successfully completing the three year part-time course at Leeds Metropolitan University. Stewart is now focusing this attention on internal CPD’s and gaining recognition through the CIAT to support progression in the ever demanding industry. 

Congratulations Stewart!

Watson Batty Furthers Sustainability Credentials

Watson Batty Architects on-going sustainability credentials have been boosted by achieving certification for ISO 14001:2004. Encompassing environmental management systems for architectural services including building design, contract administration, construction monitoring, project management, disabled audits and advice, CDM co-ordination and building condition surveys.

Stephen Jones, Project Architect commented “the ISO 14001 accreditation has made us aware of the environmental implications we have as a business and how simple changes can make a big impact. As a company we are committed to reducing our impact on the environment.”

Watson Batty has also achieved BS OHSAS 18001:2007 Certification, the internationally recognised assessment specification for occupational health and safety management systems. Certification will ensure that the company meets its health and safety obligations in the key areas of hazard identification, risk assessment & control, training and performance monitoring.

Reaching New ‘Heights’

We have successfully commenced works on site up at Woodland Heights in Keighley for our new client Skipton Properties.  This scheme was won in competition to deliver 96No. new build family houses including 16No. units for Bradford based Housing association Incommunities.  The first units of this exciting regeneration project will be handed over in December of this year.

Woodland Heights is our first collaboration with Skipton Properties and hopefully this represents the start of a successful long term working relationship.

Success ‘InBusiness’

Following the recent OJEU bid process, we are delighted to announce that we have been appointed onto the InBusiness for Yorkshire Consultant Framework.  This four year framework is being driven by Yorkshire Housing Group in collaboration with South Yorkshire Housing and aims to deliver new build affordable dwellings across the county up to an estimated construction value of £96Million.

We are very excited at the prospect of helping these schemes move forward.

Spurs and Barbarians open new Loughborough University Stadium

Two special nights of sport opened the new Loughborough University Stadium designed by Watson Batty Architects. Premiership Tottenham Hotspur brought along their emerging football stars of the future when their under-20 academy team played their part in an entertaining 4-4 draw against the University Students.  Former Arsenal and BBC sports presenter Bob Wilson gave an opening speech prior to kick off. 

A few days later the world famous Barbarians rugby union team took to the field, lead by Scotland manager Andy Robinson. In front of an almost full house the University Students, recently promoted to National League One, lost 40-7 in an entertaining and free flowing game. The new floodlit stadium provides accommodation for nearly 4000 spectators, fourteen team changing rooms, officials changing, meeting room, social area with bar and kitchen for 250 guests and covered tiered seating for 300 spectators.

Northfield Hall Complete

Northfield Hall has reached completion and been handed over to the client Brackenhall Community Trust.

The £1.7million community centre project includes two football pitches, a MUGA, large multi-purpose hall which can be divided in two, four large changing rooms, catering kitchen and restaurant, exhibition space, meeting rooms, sanctuary, activity room and a Jolly Roger play gym.

There has been a great reaction from the community about the building with one person describing it as “the best building in Brackenhall”. The contractor was QSP Construction Group from Illkley.

Elland Morrisons Construction Underway

Marshall Construction are currently underway with the Morrison’s new food store in Elland which commenced in February 2012. The construction phase for the food store will continue for the remainder of this year to enable the store to open in January 2013. Following the store opening the adjoining Petrol Filling Station will be constructed which is due to open in May 2013.

The new Food Store and Petrol Filling Station are being built on the existing Nu Swift factory site which supplies and assembles fire extinguisher equipment. During the construction phase Nu Swift are operating as normal until their new factory and offices are complete in September 2012.

Nu Swift International making good progress

Further to Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc acquiring land from Nu Swift International to a build a new Food Store and Petrol Filling Station, Thistle Construction are currently underway with the construction of the new purpose built Nu Swift factory and offices. The building is due for completion in September 2012.

Following completion, Nu Swift will vacate from their existing premises to enable Morrison’s to complete the infrastructure works and petrol filling station.