The practice has worked with Farmgen Ltd to assist with planning for three anaerobic digester plants at farms in Lancashire, Cumbria and the Midlands.

We have also been involved in site design and planning for Biogen Power on four Energy from Waste (EfW) plants in Irvine, Scotland; Newport and Barry, Wales; and Heysham, Lancashire.

Meanwhile, we have also drawn up plans for the proposed Coseley Park hydroelectricity plant in the Midlands.

As renewable energy architects, Croft Goode has demonstrated expertise in architectural, design and planning issues across three different types of renewable energy:

Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic digestion is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen and is widely used to treat wastewater sludge and organic wastes.

As part of an integrated waste management system, anaerobic digestion reduces the emission of landfill gas into the atmosphere. The process produces a methane and carbon dioxide rich biogas suitable for energy production helping to replace use of fossil fuels. The nutrient-rich solids left after digestion can be used as fertiliser.

Farmgen’s Carr Farm anaerobic digestion plant can generate enough continuous power for more than 1,000 homes and provides a significant boost to the rural economy.

Energy Recovery Facilities

Energy Recovery Facility is a newer term to describe the process of Energy from Waste (EfW) as it is more closely aligned with Advanced Conversion Technologies (ACT’s) or Advanced Thermal Treatment (ATT), two terminologies used to differentiate new clean technology from conventional incineration.

ERFs provide for the thermal treatment of waste under controlled conditions in which energy is produced. This energy can either be converted to electricity to boost the National Grid and/or, at times, to provide heat in the form of hot water or steam for use by nearby developments.

A typical Biogen Power ENERGOS gasification plant will treat around 120,000 tonnes of waste per year and will provide an electricity generation capacity to meet the domestic electricity needs of around 15,000 homes.

Hydroelectricity

The Coseley Park hydroelectricity scheme forms part of a masterplan for a landmark regeneration project known as Coseley Eco Park comprising green homes, jobs, power and retail.

The plant is made up of a series of cylindrical shaped tower structures (clad with a metal frame) containing a series of vertical steel pipes enclosing a turbine and a 40 tonne water tank at their base, which overall is over 12 metres in height and two metres in diameter. The process is based on a drawing up water through the outer circle of pipes as a powerful mechanism into the central tube of the plant that acts as a hydroelectric generator.

Our expertise

Croft Goode can help energy companies and other developers to deliver renewable energy projects with expertise in the following areas:

- Site analysis and planning policy for the chosen site and infrastructure required.

- Management and coordination of other consultants such as building surveyors, topographical surveyors, civil engineers and plant engineers.

- Meetings with planning officers and relevant disciplines within the local authority and Environment Agency where necessary.

- Preparation of drawings for site layout, plans and elevations of the plant, design and access statements and submission of planning application(s).

- Use of 3D modelling software to prepare 3D perspectives and realistic photomontages, helping to visualise the plant in the micro and macro context of the site.

- Preparation of detailed tender documentation that allows the client to compare and contrast prices for construction from multiple contractors.

- Coordination of all drawing information to achieve the necessary regulatory approvals.

If you would like to find out more about how Croft Goode Architects can assist with design and planning services for your renewable energy project, call us on 01772 686030.

The development of 14 homes in Gateside Drive, Grange Park, marks the first new council housing scheme in the area for 25 years.

The homes, designed by Croft Goode Architects on behalf of Blackpool Borough Council, meet Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and feature a number of energy saving features, including solar powered heating systems and a sustainable timber frame construction.

As part of the scheme, developed following consultations with tenants, the adjacent park area has been fully refurbished with a modern play area for youngsters.

Mick Goode, director of Croft Goode Architects, said: “This is one of a number of new housing schemes we have been involved with in the Grange Park area. Each one has been developed following detailed consultation with local families and the council to ensure we deliver homes that meet local needs.”

The official opening of the park was celebrated by ward councillor and Blackpool Council cabinet member, Cllr Gillian Campbell, planting a tree on behalf of the community.

The park is situated just to the back of the new homes on Draycott Avenue and Gateside Drive. ‘Grange Park’ was chosen as a name for the park by the local community, as this was the name for the plot of land long before houses were built and the estate was given the same name.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Councillor for Park Ward and Cabinet Member for Housing: “We’ve done a lot of work with the local community and schools to design and discuss how the park could work best with them. I’m so happy that we can all now celebrate having this wonderful park for everybody to be proud of.

“Some of the recent developments in Grange Park show that we’re making real progress in improve the living conditions for everybody around here and in doing so are making it a better place to live for everyone.”

The park is designed to encourage natural play and imagination, with equipment such as an aerial zip wire and wooden climbing structure. The park and play area was designed by landscape architects TEP while groundwork was carried out by Carefoot and landscaping works by Caunce.

With education budgets under increasing pressure, new-build programmes at schools, colleges and universities have been severely hampered

But with competition fierce to attract pupils and students, standing still is not an option and education providers are finding a way to make improvements to their offering somehow.

While the funds might not be available to build new classrooms and sports facilities, undertaking school refurbishment programmes to make the best use of existing spaces could provide a more cost-effective solution.

A recent example is a children’s centre project we devised for a primary school in Hesketh, part of the Governments Sure Start programme. We were tasked with delivering a design to meet the needs of parents and children in one place.

The centre now boasts a light, airy feel due to broad corridors and windows, while the colour scheme makes the place feel welcoming and friendly. The children’s centre is the perfect space to incorporate a number of parent and child facilities while also improving the overall look of the primary school itself.

We’ve also been involved in separate projects to create contemporary youth spaces in two public libraries aimed at encouraging greater use of the facilities by younger people.

It demonstrates how, with a bit of creative vision it’s possible to turn neglected or dark spaces into something completely new and modern.

Refurbishment isn’t just limited to interior spaces either. Modern techniques and materials can also allow the exterior of buildings to be given a new look. Green retrofit of education spaces can also make it possible for schools to reduce carbon emissions and reduce energy costs.

Whether it’s designed to be a temporary space, or something more permanent, improving what you already have can allow education providers to reap the rewards of investment without spending huge sums of money

With the funding outlook not expected to improve in the short-term, it is likely to remain a more viable option for many education providers.

Croft Goode was highly commended for the Alan King Prize, bestowed by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), for its work on the Hesketh with Beconsall Children’s Centre at All Saint Primary School in West Lancashire.

Entrants for the Alan King Award must demonstrate technical excellence in construction by illustrating the composition of ideas put into practice.

Work is judged on a number of considerations including access, building fabric, health and safety, innovation, quality of work and craftsmanship, sustainability and working to budgetary constraints.

The Hesketh with Beconsall Children’s Centre was designed by Croft Goode Architects on behalf of Lancashire County Council. The building allows local midwifery services to deliver ante natal clinics, where parents can access breastfeeding and health advice. In addition, there are support groups for foster carers and parents with children who have additional needs.

John Bridge, project leader at Croft Goode Architects, said: “Phase three children’s centres are required to provide improved access to services and facilities for families. The centre at Hesketh had to include provision for services such as outreach activity for isolated families at risk of social exclusion, plus advice for mothers, fathers and carers across a spectrum of child-related areas. For our technical work on the project to be recognised by our peers in the industry is a great feeling.”

The Alan King Award is one of two awards for technical excellence bestowed annually by CIAT. Prizes are given to the winner, highly commended (second place), and commended (third place) projects.

I would wholeheartedly agree with RIBA president Angela Brady’s assessment that architects have the necessary skills and expertise to help realise this concept, which has now passed into law with the formation of the Localism Act.

If architects are appointed by their clients to guide them through the planning process, then of course it falls to us to persuade clients of the merits of investing in good design that meets and exceeds local needs.

Of course, that may be easier in the public sector where local authorities are duty-bound to act in the best interests of communities, but the Localism Act also presents a unique opportunity for architects to help private developers build better relationships with local residents.

If anything, localism should lead to fewer contentious developments, not the other way round. If both architects and developers can keep an open mind, the reality should be a smoother planning process and projects that get off the ground quicker.

I expect some architects will argue that we don’t need a Localism Act, let alone a guide to localism, to help us engage with communities, that’s our job anyway.

While they may be right, if the profession doesn’t grab localism by the scruff of the neck, other parts of the built environment sector will.

Place making is what we do. It would be a shame if we allowed the whole ethos of improving communities to pass us by.

The Winckley Square Community Interest Company (WSCIC) has been established by six local partners, including two law firms with property expertise, an accountancy firm, a PR company, local property agency and an architecture practice (that’s us!).

Since being launched formally in July 2011, WSCIC has already got the backing of Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council, and has launched a consultation process to get the thoughts of local residents, businesses, and community groups.

The response we have had since the survey went live has been overwhelmingly positive with many constructive suggestions for how the square can be improved. Furthermore, there has been significant interest in the story from local and regional media, helping to stimulate further debate.

While we’re still very much in the early days of this project, and many more months of consultation and planning lie ahead, the response has been largely warm and positive.

Contrast, this to previous attempts to revitalise this part of the city, and it’s easy to see why this is – people have been given a chance to have their say.

It was unfortunate that previous proposals for the Square, which lies at the heart of the city’s business district, were put forward with great haste and without proper consultation. Needless to say they came up against stiff local opposition and progress ground to a halt.

Once again, this is evidence that to be successful, regeneration projects, no matter what shape or size, have to take into account local views. With the implementation of the Localism Bill, not only is this going to be compulsory, it’s absolutely necessary.

With this in mind, Croft Goode has advocated the use of the Planning for Real® model as we move forward with the project. Planning for Real® is a nationally recognised process of community consultation, which begins with contacting local community networks and ends with the formation of an action plan for taking forward the decisions made during the process.

Planning for Real® enables effective community involvement in consultation by:

- Allowing people to have their say without needing to speak to an audience

- Encouraging informal discussion of ideas

- Removing the confrontation which often exists at a conventional public meeting

- Making the consultation process more fun and rewarding for everyone involved

- Stimulating informal contacts between the community and officials throughout the process.

By using it as part of the WSCIC project, we are giving local people a voice and allowing them to be fully involved in the process. Visit the WSCIC website to find out more about how you can have your say.

De Lacy House, was opened by local tenant Christine Davies, at an event that was also attended by contractors involved in the building’s construction.

Christine, of Littlemoor House, Sabden, was chosen to perform the ribbon-cutting after winning a competition to name the new building. The De Lacy name has historic links to Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley area as it belonged to a famous landowning family and Robert de Lacy is reported to have built Clitheroe Castle’s keep.

As well enabling the housing association to bring its employees into one site, the £1.6million three-storey building, designed by Croft Goode Architects, provides a drop-in centre and a community resource for tenants.

Christine Grimshaw, managing director of Ribble Valley Homes, said: “Previously, our people were based across two offices in York Street and King Lane, but the new building will accommodate them all, as well as providing a fantastic resource for our tenants and other community members. This will help us to provide an even better service to our tenants.”

The new building sits within an historic conservation area close to Clitheroe Castle and the design process involved significant consultation with local stakeholders, including sessions with the RIBA-coordinated Places Matter panel.

David Croft, a director of Croft Goode Architects, said: “The building is a mix of glass, zinc and natural stone. Though contemporary in design, the stonework has been selected to match the surrounding streetscape and the sawtooth roof design is a nod to the rich industrial heritage of the area, as well as allowing better views of the surrounding countryside to those in nearby buildings.”

Building work began on the new 8,500 sq ft offices towards the end of 2010 and was completed in August 2011. The building, which has full disabled access, features a number of energy saving features, such as highly insulated floors, walls, roofs and intelligent lighting systems. The contractor on the project was Bardsley Construction Limited.

Ribble Valley Homes was formed in 2008 following housing stock transfer from the local authority. Part of Symphony Housing group, it manages around 1,200 properties across the Ribble Valley area.

Croft Goode Architects has partnered Lancashire County Council to deliver four state-of-the-art children’s centres as part of the government’s Sure Start programme.

The initiative is designed to bring together a comprehensive range of support agencies to meet the needs of parents and children in one place. This means children can make friends and learn as they play, while parents can get professional advice on health and family matters, learn about training and job opportunities, or just socialise.

The children’s centres include a centre at All Saints RC Primary School in Hesketh; a project at Adlington Library; a scheme at St Thomas the Martyr Primary School in Up Holland; and a facility at the YMCA Community Sports Centre in Lytham.

The challenge

The county council, together with its partners, is responsible for planning and delivering a children’s centre for each designated community within its administrative area.

‘Phase 3’ centres, such as the schemes at Hesketh, Adlington, Upholland and Lytham, must provide improved access to services for families living in areas that are relatively affluent, but not without family and social issues.  The centres had to include provision for services such as outreach activity for isolated families at risk of social exclusion, plus advice for mothers, fathers and carers across a spectrum of child-related areas.

In addition, the design of the centres had to incorporate facilities to support child-minder networks, along with activities for parents and children, and links to Jobcentre Plus advice on training and employment opportunities for parents.

The CG response

The children’s centres were linked to existing primary schools and a library, as well as having their own separate entrance. Each project incorporates a reception facility/office, interview room, all-purpose community room with kitchenette, furniture store and toilets with facilities for disabled people.

The Hesketh project benefited from close collaboration with the primary school as it also has a multi-use lobby area that can be used as a reading area on the steps up to the primary school.

Outcome

The building at Hesketh has an open feeling due to the height of the rooms. There is a light, airy feel due to broad corridors and windows that fill the community room with light, while the colour scheme makes the place feel welcoming and friendly. Midwifery services deliver ante natal clinics, where parents can access breastfeeding and health advice. In addition, there are support groups for foster carers, the migrant population and parents with children who have additional needs.

The children’s centre at Adlington Library benefits from a modern design that meets the needs of the community and blends effectively with the adjacent library building. The interior layout can accommodate small groups as well as providing privacy for one-to-one consultations. The centre provides a range of activities including drop-in sessions as well as parenting groups and weaning talks. The facilities are also used by midwifes, health visitors and holistic therapists. Additionally, the centre hosts training sessions for children’s centre staff and other agencies.

Feedback

Steph Critchley, Children’s Centre manager at Hesketh, said: “The design was very tight and specific, and the building was built to a good standard. All parties communicated well and overcame challenges, such as building on sloped land, and worked well alongside the school it extends to.”

Stephanie Shorrocks, extended services co-ordinator at Adlington Children’s Centre, added: “We have recently completed a consultation with the families who are accessing the children’s centre and their comments have been very positive.”

Emma Pearse, principal property resources officer at Lancashire County Council, commented: “Lancashire County Council Corporate Property Group has established a successful working relationship with Croft Goode through its framework agreement for design consultancy services, and most recently the practice has played a key role in the delivery of its Children’s Centre programmes.”

The practice has achieved ISO 9001 and ISO 14001:2004 following independent assessments from leading certification body the British Assessment Bureau.

Both certifications demonstrate commitment to customer service and quality in delivery for Croft Goode’s provision of architectural and design services, including project management, conservation works, planning and urban design.

The company has now earned the right to display the coveted British Assessment Bureau Quality Shield and ISO 9001 and ISO 14001:2004 logos to demonstrate its conformance to the standard.

David Croft, director of Croft Goode Architects, said: “Gaining these certifications underlines our commitment to our customers and our focus on quality of service. It also shows that our process controls ultimately mean lower costs for our clients.”

ISO 9001 was introduced in 1987 and requires organisations to demonstrate they have a quality management system in place to ensure consistency and improvement; leading to high levels of performance and customer satisfaction.

ISO 14001:2004 was introduced 1996 as a British Standard and requires organisations to have an environmental policy and action plan to manage their impact on their environment.

Certified organisations are committed to continuous improvement and are assessed annually to ensure progress is being maintained.

ISO is short for International Organization for Standardization – the world’s largest developer and publisher of International Standards and the network of the national standards institutes of 162 countries worldwide.

The development, situated next to the Tower Wharf basin on Chester’s canal network, has been designed by Croft Goode Architects on behalf of Morris Homes Limited and features a mix of townhouses and apartments as well as retail space.

Work has completed on 17 of the 26 three-storey town houses and two of the five apartment blocks that comprise the high-quality development close to Chester city centre.

The properties, situated on a historic site, feature traditional brick and slate construction with stone dressings to reflect existing building styles in the area, while full height, recessed windows, timber panelling and powder-coated steel balconies bring a contemporary feel to the development.

The completed town houses and apartments are available for sale and construction work on the remaining townhouses and apartments is currently underway.

David Croft, director of Croft Goode Architects, said: “This is a high-quality housing and commercial development in a waterfront location in one of England’s oldest cities, so it was important for our design to take into account the architectural heritage of the area while introducing contemporary elements to give it a modern outlook. Being on a historic site meant an archaeological investigation was needed before work commenced, so it’s been a complex and exciting project to be involved with.”

Dave Hesson, regional managing director for Morris, said: “The Tower Wharf development has proved to be extremely popular with local homebuyers, due to the high quality homes on the development and the fantastic offers to help people move. The range of homes available, from apartments to three-storey homes, appeal to first time buyers, families and people wanting a second home in a great location.”

The Tower Wharf development has been built on a formerly derelict site. Planning permission for a mixed-use waterside development at the site was first granted in July 2007 and work began on site in September 2009.