**Please note: DBCP provided building control services for this project before 1 October 2023. Under the current building safety regime, DBCP acts as a regulatory body. We can assess plans and building work for compliance with the Building Regulations, but cannot provide design advice or recommend construction solutions. Responsibility for demonstrating compliance rests with the client, designers and contractors.**
Wirksworth Heritage Centre (WHC) was originally opened at the Crown Yard site in 1985 as a local community museum. With the bequest in 2010 of a large heritage building on St. Johns Street – a more accessible location in the town centre – WHC decided to close and relocate.
With parts of the St Johns Street building dating back to the 16th century the new WHC needed a team of experts of board to ensure a successful conversion and renovation of the Grade II listed building.
Listed buildings are considered nationally important and therefore have extra legal protection within the planning system. Listing covers a whole building, including the interior, unless parts of it are specifically excluded in the list description.
With significant planning and conservation restrictions in place, renovating and extending the new site required a team of experts.
DBCP worked closely with Latham’s Architects and with Derek Latham, who not only boasts more than 30 years’ experience of leading the business, but is also a RIBA Client Design Adviser. Derek’s professional opinion and guidance is sought after by many noted bodies, organisations and panels, so his expertise was of great benefit to the project.
A specialist principal contractor was also appointed. Bonsers is a specialist in repair and conservation projects on complex historic buildings.
The building, a three-storey townhouse, is a mix of ages and styles. Years of haphazard internal changes and additions, including being divided into flats, had left the space tricky to use.
Plans for the building included a modern extension to the property to create a public café area. Accessibility was also key to the redevelopment.
Creating accessible space in listed buildings can be difficult as it risks taking away character of the building and removing original features. Within the new WHC building, stairs had to be re-aligned with floor levels to enable accessibility. However, more than 90% of the floorspace has since been made accessible to wheelchair users.
The building also incorporates facilities for teaching school children which meant DBCP had to not only make sure it was fully compliant as a public building, but also incorporated educational building control requirements too.
The close working relationship between DBCP , Lathams and Bonsers meant the building was successfully transformed, whilst still complying with planning and conservation requirements.
The new WHC café opened in October 2018. Although a challenge, the project was rewarding and showcased what a partnership approach can achieve.
If you’re restoring or developing a listed building, get in touch with DBCP’s expert team of surveyors for specialist advice and assistance for all your project’s building control needs.