Memorandum submitted by Construction Design
Practice Ltd
BRITISH WATERWAYS REGENERATION PROJECT—
MAYOR'S BOAT YARD, WIGAN.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Construction Design Practice is currently working
collaboratively with British Waterways on a scheme in Wigan, referred
to as Mayors Boatyard, involving the restoration of buildings
and site areas fronting the Leeds and Liverpool Canal within the
Wigan Pier Quarter Conservation Area.
CDP have developed proposals for the site and
buildings in collaboration with BW in line with the desire by
BW for the buildings to be restored and brought back into sustainable
use, whilst conserving and maintaining the historical significance
of the site.
The value of the works is expected to be of
the order of £1.2 million.
The Partnering Arrangement with BW was the result
of a tendering and interview process, whereby the Proposals for
the conservation of the site were weighted alongside commercial
interest.
Throughout the design development British Waterways
have been able to offer their invaluable input to the scheme in
terms of technical solutions, appropriateness of design and coordination
between the interested parties and the local authority.
British Waterways have taken the lead in presenting
the scheme to Interested "User Groups" and have set
up the vital communications for applications for Grant Aid.
The scheme was submitted for Planning Approval
on 29th February 2008.
1. INTRODUCTION
Construction Design Practice Ltd is an Engineering
Consultancy Practice, based in the north west of England.
Construction Design Practice is currently working
collaboratively with British Waterways on a scheme in Wigan, involving
the restoration of buildings and site areas fronting the Leeds
and Liverpool Canal within the Wigan Pier Quarter Conservation
Area.
The site is referred to as Mayors Boatyard.
2. PROJECT PARTNERING
ARRANGEMENTS IN
WIGAN:
CDP develop proposals for the site and buildings
in collaboration with BW in line with the desire by BW for the
buildings to be restored and brought back into sustainable use,
whilst conserving and maintaining the historical significance
of the site.
The buildings will be developed for B1 commercial
use and with the boat user being relocated within the site.
CDP will act as developer and provide a significant
element of funding required for refurbishing the main part of
the site, in exchange for a long-term lease.
The Partnering Arrangement with BW was the result
of a tendering and interview process, whereby the Proposals for
the conservation of the site were weighted alongside the commercial
interest.
3. SCHEME DETAILS:
The site area contains 3 buildings, referred
to as buildings A, B and C respectively.
Building A is currently in a dilapidated state
and is unused.
Building B is currently in a dilapidated state
and is unused.
Building C is in a dilapidated state but is
used as a dry storage area.
The site area is currently used for the benefit
of boat users for the loading of canal barges. This function will
be relocated within the site.
Historically, the site has been used as a fabrication
and maintenance facility for wooden canal boats since 1880. The
last canal boat being launched in 1952.
The facility closed in 1959, since which time
there have been different uses for the site, but one the main
buildings were vacated; there has been an escalating scale of
dilapidation.
It is proposed to upgrade to a high specification,
the buildings and site to bring the site back into commercial
use as Class B1 Business Use: office space/light industrial/technical.
It is proposed to improve the character of the
Site through a mixture of hard and soft landscaping and by sensitive
restoration of the buildings, which will include modifying the
footprint and alteration of the façade to Building C.
The redevelopment will provide restored high
quality buildings of character, with levels of comfort and servicing
fit for the 21st century.
External works will include improved off street
parking and significant landscaping enhancements.
The scheme was submitted for Planning Approval
on 29th February 2008.
4. COLLABORATIVE
WORKING ARRANGEMENTS:
Throughout the design development Construction
Design Practice [CDP] have kept constant dialogue with British
Waterways, who have been able to offer their invaluable input
to the scheme in terms of professional advice, technical solutions,
appropriateness of design and coordination between the interested
parties and the local authority.
British Waterways have been particularly active
in presenting the scheme to Interested "User Groups"
and have set up the vital communications for applications for
Grant Aid.
British Waterways are very proactive in ensuring
the regeneration process happens, and happens quickly, and must
be commended on their initiatives and networking to bring this
project to fruition.
In conclusion, I would request that the Committee
gives British Waterways their active support and encouragement
to continue its work in this field.
Construction Design Practice Ltd
March 2008
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