WBA Appointed for Liverpool Hope University Science and Sport Project

We are delighted to announce our appointment with Liverpool Hope University to support the detailed design and construction delivery of their major science and sport development. The £7.8m extension and refurbishment project will enable a greater integration between the faculties of science and sport on the Hope Park Campus. The planning application was submitted late last year with anticipated approval in early 2014.  

The engagement continues a successful string of recent appointments at York St John, Huddersfield, Sheffield Hallam, Nottingham, and Bradford Universities.

The Poplars Start on Site

Following detailed design development we are delighted that the Poplars Development has now commenced on site.  This scheme represents the first phase of the “New Bolton Woods” master-plan initiative in Bradford.  The strategic plan was originally commissioned by Canal Road Urban Village Ltd (CRUVL), a joint venture company that includes Bradford Council.  

Watson Batty Architects are assisting the preferred developer, Skipton Properties to deliver this exciting exemplar residential project initially through the detailed planning process and then onto the construction working drawings packages.

The scheme consists of 20no. affordable dwellings for Great Places Housing Group and 26no. private ‘for sale’ units.  Our Appointment also included re-planning the private ‘for sale’ areas to allow Skipton Properties to deliver their own particular housing sales product.  Our challenge was to alter the unit footprints on the site whilst paying close attention to the already approved architectural styles and elevational treatments.  The materials proposed include a contemporary mix of buff coloured facing brick, artificial stone plinths with cast stone contrasting bands and a selection of feature render panels.  Following a number of productive design workshops with the development team and representatives from Bradford Council the resulting scheme is of a very high standard, which reflects the aspirations set out in CRUVL’s original master-plan.

For more info please see Telegraph and Argus article & video link by clicking here

Rossington scheme progressing on site

Watson Batty Architects are pleased to be supporting Termrim Construction in this successful Design and Build project to deliver 14 new-build houses in Rossington, for South Yorkshire Housing Association.

Having cleared the site of existing structures, construction is now well underway on the 2 bedroom dwellings.

Our involvement through the tender process included providing HQI checks for HCA compliance and aiding in the review of cost effective ways to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes credits.  The scheme is currently running smoothly on site and the project is due to complete in February 2014.

This is our first scheme with Termrim Construction and we hope that it is the start of a long and productive working relationship.

Shipley Store Wars and Planning Win

Proposals for a mixed use development in Shipley, Bradford were unanimously approved at Planning Committee on Friday last week, ahead of two rival applications that all aimed to build a new supermarket in the town. Watson Batty Architects brought together two of their longstanding clients; Wm Morrison Supermarkets and Skipton Properties Ltd to develop this exciting mixed use scheme which has been named Shipley Exchange. The proposals occupy an 22 acre piece of land adjacent to Shipley Train Station and comprise of a Supermarket, a petrol filling station, business units, 100 dwellings as well as much needed additional station car parking. For further information on the proposal please click here to visit our website.

York St John University Dining Room Extension Submitted For Planning

Having supported York St John University in the incremental development of the Lord Mayors Walk Campus in York since 2010, Watson Batty has been working closely with the University since early 2013 on the second phase of a new £1m Dining Room extension. The scheme will provide essential additional catering space together with an extensive external terrace and new gardens in the heart of the campus. The extension has been designed as a ‘pavilion in the landscape’ making use of traditional rustic red brick and glulam timber structures to compliment the site context. A planning application has been submitted to the City of York Council with approval being sought early next year. The development is planned to start on site in the spring with a completion in August 2014.

To view a walk through video of the proposals please click here.

York St John University Holgate Building Completed

The successful completion of the Holgate Building project sees a variety of different student facing services in the heart of the main university campus brought together. 

The scheme improves links with social and catering spaces to create a more holistic journey through the campus. Purpose designed consultation and meeting spaces, together with the re-organised reception and open plan learning space significantly enhances the warm welcome of the building while improving the pastoral care. 

We have been encouraged by the positive feedback from Students, Staff and Visitors to the building, and we are delighted that the project has added significant value to the University.

For further information visit our website by clicking here.

New Works at Craven College

Watson Batty are currently developing detailed proposals for a new construction and engineering building on the Aireville Campus site, alongside the refurbishment and upgrade of existing buildings, to provide modern up to date facilities. The £6.2m development will be partly funded through the College Capital Investment Fund, allocated by the Skills Funding Agency.

It will be the second major scheme on the campus that Watson Batty have been involved with in the last two years, following completion of the £3m Pen-y-ghent teaching facility in 2011.

We are now developing the scheme towards a planning application early in the new year with a start on site programmed for July 2014.

Associate positions announced at WBA’s Autumn Reception

Watson Batty held another successful Autumn Reception recently at the practice’s headquarters in Leeds. The event was well attended with the usual 2 barrels of Landlord’s bitter being emptied in record time.

The event also saw the announcement of a tier of new managerial staff being introduced into the business. Five Longstanding members of staff all with varied design and technical backgrounds were promoted to associate positions.. Ben Pickersgill, Catherine Blain, Keith Southernwood, Scott Lonie and Scott Lunn will now move into their new roles in helping support the business in continuing its success and expansion over the coming years. Watson Batty Architects have performed well in the recent period of recession with increasing workloads now flowing to both the Leeds office and the more recently established Loughborough office.

For those of you who couldn’t make it to this year’s reception we hope to see you in 2014 at our next event.