We had a unique opportunity to transform an unmanaged former car park into much-needed professional childcare services for local families; a space where internal and external spaces combine to inspire staff confidence and allow children to explore their interests through activity, free play, social interaction and creative development.

The most significant site constraint is the existing topography, which comprises a change in level north-south of over 5m, and a change in level of 1.5m east-west. The requirement to maximise the development potential of the site required careful consideration to ensure that appropriate levels of accessibility, serviceability and car parking were achieved.

Further constraints included the proposal’s impact upon ecology and biodiversity within the Roch River Valley Corridor, and limitations of the existing site access from Croft Lane, both in terms of vehicular and pedestrian access.

We successfully enhanced the quality of the built environment, by establishing a new sense of place with a high-quality development.