A new training school, developed for West Yorkshire Police in Carr Gate, Wakefield, has recently had its external landscaping completed using UK sourced natural stone, single size Fens Moss Yorkstone paving along with Omega block paving in Burnt Oak – another impressive project that’s been undertaken using the design and supply services of Brett Landscaping.
The building, which has been developed by Interserve, has been purposefully designed to accommodate facilities for West Yorkshire Police training including crime, driver, IT, recruit, firearms and public order.
After a comprehensive design and build process, the completed training school is notable for the use of cedar cladding to complement the surrounding environment. During construction, it was felt that the building’s striking design merited a landscaping solution to equal its appearance; however, associated plans had not been drawn to accomplish this aspect of the design.
To meet this requirement, a paving partnership had to be established, as James Derry, Procurement Manager at Howard Civil Engineering, the development’s groundworking contractor explains:
“As groundwork contractor, it became part of our remit to specify and install a product of appropriate material and size to complement Interserve’s excellent landscaping drawings.”
Brett Landscaping was recommended due to its proven experience in supping paving for civic buildings. The company presented Howard Civil Engineering with a portfolio of product choices to enhance the area. Each option would provide appropriate drainage and allow maintenance to be both feasible and realistic, once the chosen solution had been installed.
From these suggestions, Howard and Interserve selected 1,200 sq.m of Fens Moss, a Yorkstone flag paver from the Brett natural stone range. It was felt that Fens Moss, a fine grained Yorkstone, blue / grey stone, supplied as a single sized flag, as opposed to the more typical approach using a constant gauge but with random lengths, thereby helping to create a unique aesthetic for the project. This was matched with 600 sq.m of Omega block paving in Burnt Oak for a pedestrian ramp to provide the perfect finish to complement both the building itself as well as the surrounding Yorkshire landscapes.
“From assessing the site, and working with Howard Civil Engineering to adhere to the budget, we knew the best recommendation would be to install natural stone slabs, of appropriate size to sit effectively within the building’s design. We then worked to design and supply the right solution, efficiently, and to budget,” explains Jamie Gledhill, Civils Sales Manager at Brett Landscaping.
While advising on product selection, Brett’s assistance also extended to providing technical support and guidance relevant to the required British Standards for installation of natural stone; the depth of beds needed and foundation recommendations.
The aesthetic result is extremely effective; as has been the working relationship between Brett and Howard Civil Engineering, as James Derry points out:
“We’re all extremely pleased with the paving at Carr Gate, which has worked to complete the building to great effect. Fulfilling the project in conjunction with Brett has also been a positive experience, and has led to Howard Civil Engineering starting new discussions with Brett to supply for another scheme we’ll be working on soon.”
