BARROWDEN COMMUNITY HUB
A COMMUNITY HUB FOR BARROWDEN AND THE WELLAND VALLEY
This project seeks to deliver a quality, flexible Village Hub comprising of a Community Shop, Village Hall and Wellbeing Centre that will meet the future needs of the local community.
AIMS
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FIT FOR THE FUTURE
The Vision is to harness synergy and links by working in partnership to meet the identified needs of all ages. Through re-purposing we are aiming to develop a proactive health and wellbeing zone, linked to a new “drop-in” community hall, centred around a new community shop which is the beating heart of the community, all serving the wider local area. The aim is to replace our present facilities and make them fit for purpose, fit to deliver long term solutions, that will meet the identified needs and sustain these valuable facilities in our community for the future.
The Vision is to harness synergy and links by working in partnership to meet the identified needs of all ages. Through re-purposing we are aiming to develop a proactive health and wellbeing zone, linked to a new “drop-in” community hall, centred around a new community shop which is the beating heart of the community, all serving the wider local area. The aim is to replace our present facilities and make them fit for purpose, fit to deliver long term solutions, that will meet the identified needs and sustain these valuable facilities in our community for the future.
Existing Site Plan |
KEY DESIGN ISSUES
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SITE LOCATION
The existing buildings are located in a section of land between an open field to the north and residential buildings to the west, south and east.
The site as a whole has been developed piece-meal with planning concessions given to poor quality buildings and materials because they were meant to meet community needs. These existing buildings are entirely out of keeping with the rest of the village and the modern planning requirements of a conservation area.
A large section of green space behind the doctors is unused, but the terraced landscape garden to the south of the shop is used regularly by shop customers.
The existing buildings are located in a section of land between an open field to the north and residential buildings to the west, south and east.
The site as a whole has been developed piece-meal with planning concessions given to poor quality buildings and materials because they were meant to meet community needs. These existing buildings are entirely out of keeping with the rest of the village and the modern planning requirements of a conservation area.
A large section of green space behind the doctors is unused, but the terraced landscape garden to the south of the shop is used regularly by shop customers.
CLIENT BRIEF
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IMPORTANT OPEN SPACE
The field to the north of the site is listed as an ‘Important Open Space’ in the Rutland County Local Plan. An Important Open Space is described as, ‘An identified open space which provides character to the area it is within and/or provides a setting to a building(s), which should be protected and retained.’ |
CONSERVATION AREA & LISTED BUILDINGS
The site buildings are not listed but are in a conservation area. The development aims to adopt the character of the existing context, in particular the many listed properties that are dotted around the village. |
Proposed Site Plan
The building is positioned to the east of the site to maintain views over the field to the north to the countryside to the south.The building steps away from the residential property immediately to the south where community gardens are provided. New native trees/planting are introduced to improve the natural setting, mitigate the required removal of any planting and screen potential views to neighbouring properties.
The existing Ash in the north west corner of the site is in poor condition and is infected with Ash Heart Rot and as such is proposed to be replaced. Although the tree could be retained in the short- term, it would need to be pruned in order to keep it in a safe condition and the pruning required would destroy its amenity value. Taking the value of the scheme overall, the view is that this is an opportunity to fell the tree and replace it with a tree that can offer a long-term presence on the site.
Cycle parking is now provided adjacent to the main entrance. Additional car parking needed to alleviate parking pressures elsewhere in the village from the facilities, is split between the west and east sides of the development, thus reducing the impact on the setting. The east car park is sized to is positioned as far to the east of the site as possible to maintain views to the countryside from the north. The main car park is roughly fit into the hardstanding area of the existing Doctor’s Surgery to ensure a green space is maintained between the new building and the car park.This car park provides spaces for events in the hall, as well as additional spaces for the surgery and shop if required. The facilities are accessible to all with disabled parking spaces provided and step free level access from Wakerley Road. From the main car park the existing footpath is rebuilt at a consistent shallow gradient to provide access from the main car park to the building.
The existing Ash in the north west corner of the site is in poor condition and is infected with Ash Heart Rot and as such is proposed to be replaced. Although the tree could be retained in the short- term, it would need to be pruned in order to keep it in a safe condition and the pruning required would destroy its amenity value. Taking the value of the scheme overall, the view is that this is an opportunity to fell the tree and replace it with a tree that can offer a long-term presence on the site.
Cycle parking is now provided adjacent to the main entrance. Additional car parking needed to alleviate parking pressures elsewhere in the village from the facilities, is split between the west and east sides of the development, thus reducing the impact on the setting. The east car park is sized to is positioned as far to the east of the site as possible to maintain views to the countryside from the north. The main car park is roughly fit into the hardstanding area of the existing Doctor’s Surgery to ensure a green space is maintained between the new building and the car park.This car park provides spaces for events in the hall, as well as additional spaces for the surgery and shop if required. The facilities are accessible to all with disabled parking spaces provided and step free level access from Wakerley Road. From the main car park the existing footpath is rebuilt at a consistent shallow gradient to provide access from the main car park to the building.
Proposed Ground Floor Plan
ENTRANCE FOYER
The building is accessed via a public entrance foyer. All facilities within the building are provided on one level and both the hall facilities and shop can be accessed from this central space. However, this space can be closed off for various events from both the shop and hall, both of which have their own independent access.The foyer can be used as breakout space from the hall as well as additional seating for the cafe.
The building is accessed via a public entrance foyer. All facilities within the building are provided on one level and both the hall facilities and shop can be accessed from this central space. However, this space can be closed off for various events from both the shop and hall, both of which have their own independent access.The foyer can be used as breakout space from the hall as well as additional seating for the cafe.
THE COMMUNITY HALL
Positioned on the most prevalent corner of the building, the hall has views to the field to the north and back to Barrowden. An external balcony provides breakout space from the hall that looks over the field. A meeting room and kitchen are accessed off the hall entrance space. The hall has independent level access via a door from the path to the north.
Positioned on the most prevalent corner of the building, the hall has views to the field to the north and back to Barrowden. An external balcony provides breakout space from the hall that looks over the field. A meeting room and kitchen are accessed off the hall entrance space. The hall has independent level access via a door from the path to the north.
THE SHOP
Positioned with frontage onto Wakerley Road, the shop benefits from its proximity to the entrance courtyard, foyer and terrace. As with the hall, the shop has independent level access should the foyer be closed off for an event.
Positioned with frontage onto Wakerley Road, the shop benefits from its proximity to the entrance courtyard, foyer and terrace. As with the hall, the shop has independent level access should the foyer be closed off for an event.
THE SURGERY
The layout replicates that of the existing surgery with the addition of an accessible toilet. Access is greatly improved with parking nearby and a level threshold. The medical consultation and treatment rooms meet the requirements of the local medical practice based in Uppingham who will let and use the facility.
The layout replicates that of the existing surgery with the addition of an accessible toilet. Access is greatly improved with parking nearby and a level threshold. The medical consultation and treatment rooms meet the requirements of the local medical practice based in Uppingham who will let and use the facility.
Accessible WC and baby change facilities are included in the Hall, Shop and Surgery, in line with Building Regulations Part M requirements.
View of the entrance courtyard
A courtyard defines the entrance to the hub. The space has the potential for market stands and outdoor seating.The glazed foyer provides a light and inviting space in which to enter the building.
View from the west (new proposed trees that line the main car park have not been shown in this image so that the building is visible)
Small garden spaces are provide within the terraced south west facing garden accessed from the parking off Kings Road. The spacing of the timber cladding subtly changes between buildings. The banded rubble stone walls references the existing stonework found in the village.
View from the north west corner of the field
The cafe gable is stepped back from the gable end of the hall. This not only respects the residential property to the south but reduces the scale of the development when viewed from the north west corner of the field to the north. The timber and stone facade creates a striking yet familiar appearance in the conservation area setting.
Proposed East Elevation
Proposed West Elevation
Proposed North Elevation
MATERIAL KEY
01 – Zinc Standing Seam Roof
02 – Larch Timber Cladding
03 – Coursed Local Rubble Stone Wall
04 – Ashler Stone Cladding
05 – Powder Coated Metal Framed Triple Glazing
06 – Larch Boarded Door
07 – Hardwood Timber Column on Staddle Stone
02 – Larch Timber Cladding
03 – Coursed Local Rubble Stone Wall
04 – Ashler Stone Cladding
05 – Powder Coated Metal Framed Triple Glazing
06 – Larch Boarded Door
07 – Hardwood Timber Column on Staddle Stone
Proposed North Site Elevation
ACANTHUS HOUSE
57 Hightown Rd
Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 9BE |
ACANTHUS HOUSE
57 Hightown Rd
Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 9BE |
ACANTHUS HOUSE
57 Hightown Rd
Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 9BE |
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