Farmers Boy ready to roll

Watson Batty Architects Ltd have successfully delivered a new extension to the key production facility at Farmers Boy in Bradford. Originally designed and built in 1998 by Watson Batty Architects, Farmers Boy is a purpose-built fresh food factory. Watson Batty Architects have worked with Wm Morrison Supermarket Plc for a number of years undertaking internal alterations and extensions to keep up with Wm Morrison Supermarket Plc’s growing demands. The new extension will house new state of the art automated pie and quiche production lines.

Working with R N Wooler to construct this complicated extension, undertaking phased works of internal alterations to create new departments as well link in the plant and machinery whilst maintaining the facilities operational capabilities.       

Application lodged for £11m leisure centre in Washington

Watson Batty Architects as part of the Pellikaan Construction team, submitted a Full Planning Application to Sunderland City Council for the proposed £11m Washington Leisure Centre.

The new facility will include a six-lane, 25m pool; a learner pool, including leisure features and two water slides; a four-court sports hall; a multi-purpose hall designed to accommodate trampoline facilities; two glass-backed squash courts; a sauna and steam rooms; a wellness centre with 100-station gym; separate spinning facility exercise studio and two consultation rooms.

The centre will also feature a soft play area and six external 3G small sided football pitches.

Should the proposal be approved before the end of the year, the new Washington Leisure Centre could be open in 2015.

Click here for further information.

Elland Morrisons Final Works Complete

On Saturday 14^th September the Wm Morrison Supermarkets Petrol Filling Station in Elland opened for trade marking the final piece in a construction jigsaw that has taken over 18 months to assemble. 

This complex project comprised of: A new relocation building for Nu Swift (also by WBA); a new Wm Morrison Supermarkets (WMS) Foodstore on stilts, one of the first that WMS have completed; Section 278 highway works; a very demanding asbestos removal and demolition project; and finally, the construction of the Petrol Filling Station.

A big thanks goes to all parties involved in the successful delivery of this project.

Sporting success as Stadium project awarded LABC Regional Finalist status

Watson Batty are delighted to have been shortlisted for the East Midlands LABC regional awards ‘Best Education’ category for our sports stadium project at Loughborough University. 

Completed in May 2012 this new £4m project provides 14 team changing rooms, sports treatment, sports bar and spectator facilities alongside terracing for 3500 people. Teams representing Manchester United, Spurs and U-17 European national football teams from Russia, Slovenia and Portugal have already competed at the stadium.

For more information on the project please click here.

Steelwork Almost Complete at New Jewish Free School, Leeds

Construction work on the UK’s first Jewish Free School in Alwoodley Leeds started on site in May 2013 following a successful planning application, approved earlier the same month. Now 2 months into the construction programme the main strip out and demolition works are complete and the steelwork is almost finished. Phase 1 of the project is still on track to be complete for the school opening in September 2013. Phase 2 work will continue beyond September in order to complete the new extensions in early 2014.

Howzat!

Watson Batty Architects ventured out in to the hot summer weather on Thursday last week for a game of cricket against GMI Construction. In keeping with the current Ashes summer there were many twists and turns over the course of the evening which finally ended in a comfortable Watson Batty victory!

Pictured above are Watson Batty’s opening pairing of Nick Page, Architectural Assistant and Matt Ing, apprentice Architectural Technician. Our sincere thanks must go to GMI and Wrenthorpe Cricket Club for their hospitality. 

If there are any other teams out there fancying a game then do not hesitate to contact Ben Pickersgill our fixture secretary!

Richmond Flats Renaissance

Watson Batty Architects are working alongside Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing and Clugston Construction to breathe new life into an existing residential tower block in the heart of Huddersfield Town Centre. Our scheme is underpinned by a robust and exciting design concept that will vastly improve the image of this prominent building.

Each flat will be completely refurbished with all residents being provided with a brand new contemporary kitchen and bathroom. The communal areas will now include a new glazed entrance lobby, lift and intercom security door system.

The project has also received financial backing from the European Regional Development Fund, which targets fuel poverty issues.  This funding has allowed the inclusion of Passivhaus features such as triple glazing. The energy usage of the building shall be driven by the enhancement of the fabric of the building, selection of efficient plant and the employment of renewable on site technologies.  The renewable strategy for the building is to employ the use of photovoltaic cells, installed on the roof, in order to generate electricity.

Washington Leisure Centre Moves Forward

Watson Batty Architects, as part of Pellikaan Construction’s team,  has secured a contract for the design and construction of the new £11m Washington Leisure Centre for Sunderland City Council. The new Leisure Centre will be built on the existing Leisure Centre site and is due for completion in 2015.  The new building is designed in three levels and will include, a 6 lane 25m main pool, a learner pool with a water feature,  two water slides, a four-court sports hall, a health suite comprising of  a sauna, steam rooms and relaxation area, a trampoline hall, two squash courts, two multi-purpose rooms, spinning room and ancillary accommodation. The project also includes 8 nos 5-a-side Synthetic Football Pitches, a 100 space car park and an attractive outdoor central hub that links the new facilities with the surrounding town centre including a village green.