Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

Description

The focus for the project is the restoration and redevelopment of the Former waterway depot at Finsley Gate Wharf, Burnley. The site is approximately 0,826 ha (2,13 acres) and is located approximately 0,4 Km (0,25 miles) from Burnley town centre. It contains a warehouse complex, a house and a former forge building, which are all Grade II listed. The property is owned by the Canal and River Trust (the Trust). The Trust is inviting PQQs from Architects with a proven pedigree in working with nationally important historic buildings, and have appropriately conservation accredited staff, who will act as Design Team Lead and Principal Designer under CDM regulations. The design team will be required to supply all services required to undertake RIBA Work Stages 4 to 6, as outlined in RIBA Plan of Works 2013, taking forward the approved design scheme which has already been completed to RIBA Stage 3. The Finsley Gate Wharf Project is a conservation led project seeking to address priority conservation and restoration work at Finsley gate Wharf, Burnley. It will also ensure that the site is redeveloped to create sustainable and easy to maintain buildings for the tenant, Finsley Gate Wharf Ltd to manage and operate from into the future as a leisure based destination and providing public access. The design scheme seeks to address: — the degradation of the existing buildings, — improving access to and within the building, — the need to sensitively adapt the building to accommodate modern uses, — bring the buildings back in to use to provide a viable and sustainable future. The conservation, infrastructure and redevelopment scope is: Conservation and infrastructure: deliver the urgent conservation work needed to restore the Grade II* Listed Buildings. This will include: — essential structural repairs and maintenance works to the warehouse, cottage, former forge, and external works, — refurbishment work of the buildings to make them suitable for the proposed uses, — building works, alterations and re-servicing; including external works, window replacement, below ground drainage and utility connections. Redevelopment: provide facilities, which are fit for purpose and enhance visitors’ experience of the property, including toilets and creating infrastructure for tenanted spaces. The wider Finsley Gate Wharf project will also create a new visitor offer encouraging people to discover Weavers Triangle and the “Straight Mile” by foot, bike and boat. It will develop a new staff and volunteers programme to deliver the visitor offer and ensure that the conservation and visitor needs are managed and sustainable. Funding for this 2 800 000 GBP redevelopment has been secured from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) with support from the Trust. The project is subject to the following constraints and the project team will be expected to demonstrate experience of delivering built projects within similar constraints and issues: A) funding — Stage 2 Heritage Enterprise Funding has been secured from HLF. Budgetary constraints will be a major consideration for the project development as the level of grant is fixed; B) programme — the programme has been drawn up in consultation with the Project Team to deliver the project’s business plan. Delays to the programme may have commercial consequences; C) design scope — design work to RIBA Stage 3 has been undertaken already and statutory approvals secured for the proposed scheme. The project is not looking to substantially change the approved scheme, although it is accepted that the design lead/team may wish to review the scheme. Changes to the approved scheme will only be accepted within the defined objectives, budget, statutory approvals and project scope, and if design and delivery can be achieved within the project programme; D) existing knowledge: 1) design work to RIBA Stage 3 has been completed and will form the basis of ongoing design work; 2) further structural investigation/monitoring is required to ascertain the full extent of any historic movement. Some work has already been undertaken; E) statutory constraints: 1) planning permission and Listed Building Consent are in the process of being secured; F) stakeholders: 1) HLF, as the principal funder, will be an important stakeholder; 2) engagement with the public is a high priority. A number of consultation events have taken place as part of the planning application work. The site is high profile and further engagement is proposed throughout the duration of the work programme; 3) peer review from the Trust design and heritage specialists will form part of the design process; 4) the Trust is working with Finsley Gate Wharf Ltd who will be the end user of the site and will be an important stakeholder.