Lee lands dream job

A DREAM has come true for Warrington based architect Lee Birchall after landing a contract to deliver a master plan to help breathe new life into the town centre.
Warrington born Lee, who runs Birchwood based architectural consultancy DV8 Designs, has been appointed by Warrington Borough Council to prepare an analysis, study and draft master-plan for the Garvin Place and former Cabinet Works areas of the town centre.
Both sites, situated within the cultural quarter, are currently unused and the commission will explore and maximise their regeneration and development potential. They are identified as a key town centre sites in the Council’s regeneration framework Warrington Means Business.
The aspiration for the area is to create a mixed-use development comprising residential, retail, business, leisure, hotel and hospitality uses which will complement and enhance the existing town centre and preserve and make a feature of the landmark tower at the former Garnett cabinet works.
Commenting on the project Lee said:”We are very proud to be working with Warrington & Co. to investigate the potential of this area. I am a Warringtonian born, bred and passionate about my town. My colleagues similarly all live locally and our business is based here. We have the advantage of being able to add our depth of local knowledge, enthusiasm and passion into the commission.
“It is a dream come true for me to be working on such a prestigious project in my home town. Having worke don major projects the length and breadth of the country, it is always nice to work on one close to home.”
Plans for the area will aspire to create a hub of activity for businesses in the town, with space allocated specifically for small businesses and so positively changing the dynamics of the town centre. The development will focus around a new public square for outdoor events and alfresco activities to attract residents and visitors into a vibrant and bustling Warrington town centre. Infrastructure and connectivity will be improved and will enable links with Queens Square, Sankey Street, Bridge Street and Barbould Street to the Waterfront.
DV8 Designs, based at Birchwood Park, won the contract by competitive tender and collectively have over 20 years of experience in urban design
and master-planning as well as having worked on numerous retail, leisure and commercial office projects.
Councillor Terry O’Neill, Leader of the Council said: “This is the first step in the Council unlocking the tremendous potential that this area offers. It is in the heart of our historic central heritage area and this study will provide the basis of a masterplan for the future. I’m delighted to have appointed local company DV8 Designs for this study.”
Steve Park, managing director, Warrington & Co., Warrington’s partnership for driving growth said: “This is an exciting opportunity to realise the full potential that these sites offer. Key to the scheme will be the production of a master plan, an analysis of connectivity, a conservation plan and the preservation of the landmark tower at the former Garnett’s cabinet work factory.
The team at Warrington & Co. are excited at the prospect of working with DV8 Designs and taking this forward. This is yet another major progression of the Warrington Means Business framework and the renaissance of the town.”