Plans in for £6m Saltaire hub
Proposals have been lodged for a community, arts, heritage and future technology centre in the heart of the historic village.
The new centre, which is being funded by the Shipley Towns Fund, is to be delivered by Shipley College and the Saltaire Collection.
Architect for the project is 3xa Design, working with a team including project manager Spring & Co, structural and civil engineer Dudleys, services consultant Nexus Allied, QS Batty France and landscape architect DRaW.
The building, which will be located at the corner of Victoria Road and Caroline Street on land provided by Bradford Council, will provide additional classroom and administration space to support the curriculum of Shipley College, for technology-based teaching and learning.
It will also become the new home for the Saltaire Collection – a large collection of historic artefacts and documents. There will be a public exhibition space, and community classroom to enable people to learn more about the history of Saltaire.
Alongside five classrooms, the proposals include a civic garden to the front of the building and a publicly accessible rooftop exhibition garden, to be open in the day time.
According to planning documents, the size of the development plot is 21,735 sq ft.
Jo Lintonbon, architect at 3xa Design, based in Saltaire, said: “The new building reinstates a civic function where Saltaire’s now demolished Sunday School once stood. It has been designed to complement the sensitive historic context of Saltaire without harming the heritage attributes that make up the World Heritage Site’s outstanding universal value.
“It will add to the ensemble of civic buildings and spaces on Victoria Road and create a welcoming and accessible exhibition pavilion and gardens. The design has been developed to retain key views to Salts Mill and most of the new accommodation is set below street level around a sunken courtyard.”
Adam Clerkin, chairman of the Shipley Towns Fund said: “This new building has been carefully designed to sit contextually within the World Heritage Site, enhancing the public’s enjoyment and appreciation of it.”
The design and development ran alongside public engagement and consultation, as well as guidance from the council’s planning authority and Historic England.
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “The Council has supported the project in terms of planning and transferring the land.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to enhance Saltaire for the future. It is important it is done to an extremely high standard and in a sensitive way which respects the history of this very special place, and I believe the plans show that.”
The whole of Saltaire was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2001. The plans can be viewed on Bradford’s planning portal with the refence number 23/03171/MAF/.
