PARKSTONE WATERTOWER- PWT

Case Study

Nest Homes were asked to review Parkstone Water Tower (PWT), a Grade II listed building, as part of a wider portfolio review by the owner Wessex Water Services Limited (WWSL).

The property is a redundant water tower dating back to 1884. Now an abandoned asset, the tower and surrounding land have been subject to several different uses, including radio & phone mast, public car parking along with a separate lease with the neighbouring Health Centre for private car parking and access.

The challenge – can we deliver a viable design that maximises the development potential and secures the long-term conservation of the Grade II listed tower.

We started the process by gathering all available information. This included asset data, information held by WWSL Estates and Engineering departments and subsequent detailed topographical and structural surveys

As best practice we engaged with our Heritage consultant, who prepared a Statement of Significance, this then informed design options and subsequent Heritage Impact Assessment.

Due to the nature and location of the site, being adjacent to one of Parkstone’s retail zones, we initially considered this as an alternative form of development. Having made informal enquiries to express style national retailers, we received limited interest. This then led us toward residential use, and this was reinforced by our residential development viability appraisal subject to additional development to the rear of the tower.

The viability study also highlighted that a strong argument could be presented for a reduction in affordable housing provision from 40% to nil, this was later submitted as part of the viability process within the planning application and the outcome was subsequently agreed with the District Valuer as a Nil contribution.

We prepared two development options for apartments and having agreed these with the client, we then submitted our pre-application to BCP Council (Poole planning team).

We had several meetings with the planning and conservation teams during the pre-app, agreeing scale and form of new development against the tower, as well as agreeing several design parameters.

These discussions informed the final design presented in our full planning application. We had opportunity to meet with the Planning Committee on site to discuss the scheme and following the full presentation later in the day at the Planning Committee meeting we were granted planning approval for our scheme of 17 apartments, these consisting of 3 duplex apartments in the tower and 14 new build apartments to the rear.

This fantastic outcome removes an asset liability within WWSL but also secures a sustainable future for the Water Tower. WWSL disposed of the site in Spring 2021.