Piecing together a complex site

The challenge was to source a site at the heart of the town centre that would be accessible to all. With available land scarce, the only option was a plot behind the high street, however this was being used by a number of different parties. Comprising a car park owned by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and an area of green open space belonging to Staffordshire County Council, the site was also the location for an electricity substation which had the potential to restrict development plans. Prima 200 utilised the expertise of its specialist development partner and legal team to piece together a complex land deal, working with no less than six different landowners to purchase the site and negotiate rights of way for each individual plot. Working closely with its design team, One Creative Environments Ltd, a building solution was also devised to maximise the available space. By using an L-shaped footprint for the lower floors and a figure of eight shape for the upper storeys, the building accommodates the site’s awkward boundary shape. This enabled the team to overcome some significant challenges, including the relocation of the substation and a 3.5m difference in levels across the area. By taking a holistic view to development and bringing together a number of smaller plots, the land in the town centre has been maximised to create an aspirational landmark building right in the heart of Biddulph that provides accessible healthcare services and rejuvenates this former mining town.