Reflecting on the building consultancy projects that have shaped and supported our local communities this year

As we approach the end of the year, we’re taking a look back at some our projects from 2024 which have had a positive impact on communities and their people.

Reinstating historic beach chalets of Scarborough’s south coast

This summer saw us complete an exciting scheme at Scarborough’s historic South Cliff beach chalets, rebuilding the much-loved Edwardian huts to bring them back to their former glory – just in time to enjoy at the end of the British holiday season!

The chalets had suffered from irreversible damage in March 2018, after a retaining wall collapsed and destroyed one of the two rows, leading to their demolition under safety concerns in December 2019.

Our teams worked closely with the client and stakeholders to reinstate the iconic beach huts on a like-for-like basis to match the surviving huts. To support this, the original 1912 plans were used to inform the design for the rebuild, ensuring the new chalets were historically accurate, much to the delight of the local community.

Supporting vulnerable members of society and local community organisations through the delivery of a new community centre

In Crewe, we worked closely with our longstanding client, the Diocese of Shrewsbury, to deliver a new-build community centre, commissioned through St Mary’s Catholic Church and funded by their dedicated fundraising efforts.

The new facility provides the community with an office space, kitchen and community hall with a secure outdoor area for children to enjoy, as well as an accessible park and WC facilities.

Since opening, the centre has hosted several local organisations which provide support to vulnerable members of the community, including Looking After the Homeless and Dementia Café.

Expanding its services, the centre also hosts community choir and dance sessions in the evenings, with additional plans to introduce a wider range of activities.

Offering safety and security to rail customers whilst supporting local support services and charities

In the transport sector, we worked on a scheme to deliver the Safer Hull Paragon Hub at Hull Station. Thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, the new facility provides a welcoming space for rail and bus passengers to access services from a range of agencies. As well as offering a constant point of contact for those in need and an increased police presence, the hub creates a safer environment for customers.

The collaboration between Hull City Council, the British Transport Police and Humberside Police, was funded by a £100k investment from TransPennine Express.

Alongside the British Transport Police and Humberside Police, the hub also provides support to charities and support services with The Railway Children, The Samaritans, Vulnerable Exploited Missing and Trafficked Team (VEMT), Carlisle Security, the Antisocial Behaviour Action Team, Hull 4 Heroes and Andy’s Man Club, all taking regular slots within the hub’s opening hours.

Discover more about the Safer Hull Paragon Hub project

Delivering social value to support a volunteer-run community library in enhancing their facilities

To support a local volunteer-run facility in Huddersfield with their planned improvement and remodelling works, we submitted the planning application for the scheme, based on our designs, on behalf of Honley Library in May.

The library has been an integral part of the local community since 1936 and, in 2013, faced the threat of closure due to financial constraints. Saved by a dedicated group of campaigners, today, volunteers not only give their time to helping look after the core library services, but also provide strategic support, promotional work, fundraising, organising events and activities.

Our services were supplied on a free of charge basis, helping to support this essential community hub.

Find out how our designs are set to enhance this community library

Providing a bespoke residential provision in the North East

Another scheme delivered this summer provides a dedicated residential facility in the North East for our longstanding client The Enquire Learning Trust.

The new build centre replaces an old nursery building, which was partially demolished as part of the scheme, to provide a multi-use space and overnight accommodation for students and staff, with ensuites, air conditioning and LED lighting,

The Field Study Centre not only supports the Trust in providing high quality facilities for their students and staff, but also supports the local economy, encouraging the use of catering services and events from local suppliers.

The open day was attended by many from the wider community, including staff from other schools, lifeboat services and local food outlets and has been well received by all.

Read more about this versatile educational space

Enhancing the visitor experience at a well-loved nature reserve

In September, designs were released for a new pedestrian bridge at Rickmansworth Aquadrome, a much-loved nature reserve in Hertfordshire.

In line with our client’s ambitions to enhance the facility for its visitors, we’re collaborating with Beaver Bridges, who have developed and completed the design for the new bridge and will deliver the full scheme including manufacture and the installation.

We’re undertaking a project management role to see the scheme, which will also see the children’s play area undergo improvement works, through to realisation.

By delivering these enhancement works, we hope to ensure that the space can be used for generations to come, as well as promoting the preservation of local wildlife, including the wide variety of birds who are native to its habitats and wetlands.

Discover Rickmansworth Aquadrome and more about this exciting scheme

Welcoming in visitors and local traders to the newly refurbished Victorian markets

The end of November this year saw our scheme at Leek’s Butter and Trestle Markets come to fruition as they reopened their doors to the public and, in turn, a host of new local market traders.

Whilst the works have provided much needed enhancements to modernise the space, our designs were carefully considered to protect the legacy of the 1890s buildings. At Butter Market, the shopfronts have been recreated in a modern interpretation of Victorian style, thoughtfully designed to honour the building’s rich heritage.

Supporting the Council’s net zero target, solar panels and air source heat pumps have been installed, along with replacement of the Trestle Market roof to improve insulation.

Read more about Leek’s newly revamped markets

We’re also nearing completion on a similar scheme at Glossop Town and Market Hall, which is supporting a number of independent businesses and creative industries by providing a refreshed community hub within the Grade II listed building.

Find out more about our work at Glossop Town and Market Hall

We’re already looking forward to seeing what opportunities 2025 will bring and excited to see how our work will continue to benefit local communities, not just next year, but into the future.

Contact our building consultancy team to talk to us about how we can support projects in your local community.