Hamson Barron Smith is pleased to announce that planning approval has been granted for a new specialist SEND early years facility with associated external play spaces for Heltwate School in Peterborough. The proposals, located on the former Silver Jubilee public house site and within an area of open space, also provide a new public footpath linking to Bretton Park and a pedestrian connection to the School’s existing facilities.

Our multi-disciplinary team led by Associate Architect Katarzyna Kwiatek based in our London studio, worked closely with the local authority and the school to provide a series of flexible spaces (including occupational, sensory and physiotherapy provisions) that respond to the education vision and SEND requirements of the students.

The new building will be faced in brickwork with feature details and is carefully orientated to minimise solar glare and maximise views to the green and verdant school grounds.

The proposals have been sited to mitigate the loss of existing trees on site.

Biodiversity is to be improved by wildflower and meadow grass planting on the eastern edge, in addition to new tree planting.

Sustainability is at the forefront of the energy design strategy by provision of an efficient ‘fabric first’ highly insulated building envelope, MVHR ventilation units and high efficiency lighting systems to limit running costs.

And the internal environment has been designed to take account of pupil needs with level access, generous circulation spaces, a lift, hearing loop systems, hygiene rooms and acoustic treatment to all areas, where the overarching intent has been to create an elegant light and airy series of spaces that will provide an inspirational learning experience.