Costain Heritage



Work previously undertaken by the staff of Costain Heritage includes:
	Bethlem Royal Hospital Archives & Museum: Museum of the Mind Bethlem Royal Hospital is the original Bedlam, and one of the oldest hospitals treating mental illness still in operation. Costain Heritage was appointed to develop an Activity Plan for the Museum of the Mind project. Bethlem Museum is a small but wonderful museum, with three strands to its collection: art collections (including artwork by famous painters who spent time at Bethlem or its sister hospitals, including Richard Dadd, Louis Wain and William Kurelek), historical collections, and archives (dating back to 1559). It is an incredible place to visit or to research. Unfortunately the Archives and Museums face certain challenges, not least because of the inappropriateness of the buildings that house them. The Heritage Lottery Fund bid will allow the Archives and Museum to move to a new, larger building on the Bethlem Royal Hospital site, and fund excellent, innovative interpretation of the collections. This exciting project included a ground-breaking community consultation with mental health service users at Bethlem Royal Hospital, meaning they've been able to contribute the bid and comment on what they'd like to see represented and experienced at the museum. In working on this project, Costain Heritage worked alongside Sarah Clarke Heritage and Annabel Elliott.
	The Old Newcastle Project, Newcastle upon Tyne (Including Newcastle Cathedral, the Castle Keep and the Black Gate.) Costain Heritage recently completed an Activity Plan for the Newcastle Heart of the City Project. This project was a joint project between the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, the Society of Antiquities (Newcastle) and Newcastle City Council. The project joins three buildings, currently managed separately: the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, the Castle Keep and the Black Gate. The project proposes redevelopment of each, enabling joint working practices and the sharing of facilities. Costain Heritage was responsible for the preparation of the Activity Plan for the Old Newcastle project. The Old Newcastle Project has now been awarded a confirmed grant of £1.4million by the HLF.
	Port Erin, Isle of Man The development of a Conservation Area Appraisal for Port Erin (Isle of Man), pending a decision to designate the village as a conservation area. Key to the work was the following: - Understanding of the historic development of the village - Review of the area to be included in the conservation area - Identification of characterisation areas in the village - Identification of key views and vistas - Identification of particular positive and negative buildings in the area - Identification of buildings to be proposed for inclusion on the list of registered buildings This work was undertaken in association with Edmund Simons at AOC Archaeology.
	Antonine Wall Costain Heritage was commissioned by Historic Scotland to identify the audience development potential for the Antonine Wall, in association with the development of an Interpretation Plan and Access Strategy for the Wall. Through research we identified all barriers anticipated to be faced by potential visitors to the Wall, and proposed solutions for how these barriers could be overcome. This work was undertaken in association with Erich Kadow Interpretation and Design, who developed the interpretation proposals for the Wall.
	South West Regeneration, Isle of Man The development of regeneration concept proposals for Port St Mary and Port Erin, two villages in the South West of the Isle of Man, in preparation for a submission to the Town and Village Regeneration Fund. Costain Heritage developed tourism and heritage proposals for both villages, based on their extensive experience in relation to heritage and tourism, and the results of an extensive public consultation exercise undertaken across the Island (by Costain Heritage). This work was undertaken in association with Hugh Logan Architects, who were responsible for the development of more general concepts for the villages.
	Dreamland Up until its closure in 2006, Dreamland was an iconic theme park, providing entertainment to generations of holidaymakers on the Kent coast. The Dreamland Trust plans to revive the site, through the creation of a historic theme park. Costain Heritage was appointed, in association with Britton McGrath and Sarah Clarke Heritage, to prepare an Activity Plan for the site as part of an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund by the Dreamland Trust. Costain Heritage was appointed to develop the Audience Development and Community Partnership work for the Activity Plan for Dreamland. This involved extensive consultation with local community groups to identify potential partnership arrangements, together with research and analysis of the potential audiences for the site once opened, to determine how the site might best be designed to accommodate the maximisation of audience types and visitor numbers. Dreamland's Stage Two HLF bid has been successful, and the organisation has been awarded comfirmed funding of £3m. Costain Heritage was integral in the development of the Activity Plan for Dreamland, which formed part of the HLF grant application.
	Roman Maryport Costain Heritage prepared an Activity Plan for Roman Maryport, a new attraction proposed for Cumbria as part of the Hadrian’s Wall offer. This work involved analysis and research of potential audiences, together with the development of recommendations in relation to the best methods to maximise community involvement in the project, together with full access to all. Roman Maryport submitted its stage two Heritage Lottery Fund grant application in April 2011. The Activity Plan formed a key part of the application.
	Castletown Regeneration, Isle of Man The development of concept proposals for the town of Castletown in the Isle of Man, in preparation for a bid to the Town and Village Regeneration Fund. Costain Heritage worked in partnership with a local architectural practice to develop concept proposals. Costain Heritage was responsible for the development of heritage and tourism proposals, and also for undertaking a thorough and wide-ranging consultation exercise.
	St Mary at the Quay, Ipswich Costain Heritage was appointed by East Suffolk Mind to prepare a business plan for St Mary at the Quay, Ipswich, a redundant Medieval church, to transform it into a centre of wellbeing and positive mental health. Proposed uses of the building included: - Heritage interpretation - Meeting room hire - Complementary therapy - Community retail - Café Costain Heritage undertook considerable research into the various activity areas to be undertaken at the church, to obtain a good understanding of the market, demand and likely financial outcomes for each area. On the basis of this work, a full business plan was prepared.
	Dean Heritage Museum A study assessing the current situation in relation to the museum, and possible development options for the museum. This work was commissioned by Forest of Dean District Council.
	Derby Silk Mill Costain Heritage was commissioned by Derby City Council to undertake an options appraisal/feasibility study to determine the future of Derby’s Silk Mill. The study resolved that the building was an important public resource for the town, critical in attracting more people to the area, both in terms of new residents and visitors to the town. On this basis, it was determined that the building should continue to be used as an attraction. The final theme of the attraction is yet to be decided, but final options include a fashion centre, a discovery centre and an intensive display museum.
	Roman Baths, Bath A project to determine whether an additional new attraction at the Roman Baths would be successful. This work included a market and financial assessment, together with the development of concepts for the proposed new attraction. This project concluded that it would not be financially viable for a new attraction to be opened, but that it would be more beneficial to enhance the current Roman Baths attraction. This work was undertaken on behalf of Bath and North East Somerset Council.
	The Imperial War Museum The development of a Master Plan for the Imperial War Museum. This work involved looking at the whole of the Imperial War Museum estate, to determine the best ways to overcome a number of key issues, in particular: - The need for an improved collection storage facility - The need to identify methods for reducing running costs for the Museum - The need to identify methods of increasing income to the Museum - The potential for sale/lease of buildings - The potential to provide more efficient staff accommodation The work also encompassed: - A review of the commercial operations - A review of collections especially innovative approaches to providing adequate storage - Potential for external funding Costain Heritage project managed this work, undertook financial analysis and prepared the Master Plan report. In undertaking this project, we worked in partnership with BDP Architects and together with Britton McGrath, David Dixon Associates, Hilary McGowan and CBRE.
	National interpretation signage review, Isle of Man This project involved a review of the interpretation signage across the Isle of Man. Commissioned by the Manx Heritage Foundation, the aim of this work was to prepare a strategic document, identifying locations where interpretation signage should be introduced, and providing information on the best methods for introducing the signage. The work included consultation with a number of key stakeholders as part of the project, including all local Commissioners, DEFA and the Department of Tourism, and the hope is that the work will result in a report which a number of key organisations can sign up to.
	Rehabilitation Project Plan / Survey of the architectural and archaeological heritage - Ljubljana Process. Costain Heritage worked with the Council of Europe on a project to assist the nine Balkans countries to enable rehabilitation of the countries through redevelopment of their heritage. The project aimed to help each of the countries prepare strategic documentation such as preliminary technical assessments, business plans and feasibility studies, in order to enable them to apply for funding for the restoration work. Costain Heritage provided expert advice to the representatives from the countries writing their business plans. We were then responsible for reviewing the business plans. Costain Heritage is working in partnership with Britton McGrath on this project.
	Tivoli Theatre The preparation of an audience development plan for this 1870s theatre prior to the submission of an application for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. The Tivoli theatre is still awaiting the outcome of the grant submission. This work was undertaken for the Aberdeen Tivoli Theatre Trust.
	Churches Conservation Trust: All Soul’s Bolton – Business plan review and revision All Soul’s Bolton is a dramatic concept, enabling the redevelopment and re-use of the redundant church through the introduction of an innovative system of pods to be used for community use, including a dentist, meeting room space, office space and café. Costain Heritage was appointed to review and revise the business plan prepared previously by the All Souls Crompton Community Centre. We are very pleased that this exciting project has been accepted for funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund, to the sum of £3.3million.
	Ipswich Waterfront – Feasibility study This project involved the preparation of a feasibility study for a new museum on the Ipswich Waterfront. This work invovlved the preparation of an options appraisal to determine the best location for the museum, followed by the development of a concept for the proposed museum. This work was subsequently developed into a feasibility study.
	Stockport Plaza The development of an audience development plan for Stockport Plaza, a 1930s variety theatre, in preparation for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant application. We are pleased to advise that further to our work, Stockport Plaza was successful in being awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This work was commissioned by the Stockport Plaza Trust.
	Auckland Castle Park The preparation of an options appraisal and feasibility study in relation to the provision of a new visitor centre in Auckland Castle Park, in association with a Heritage Lottery Fund grant application to redevelop the historic park. This work involved an assessment of the different options available for the location of the visitor centre, together with the development of ideas for interpretation and income generation in the visitor centre. This project was undertaken for Wear Valley District Council and Groundwork West Durham.
	Headstone Manor and Harrow Museum This project involved the preparation of an options appraisal for the development and future use of Headstone Manor and Harrow Museum. Located in an area of very high ethnic minority population, it was determined that the use of the building as a museum was not necessarily the most appropriate. Instead, it was recommended that the site be redeveloped so that it was more useful and so more accessible to the local population.
	Langdon Hills Country Park The preparation of an options appraisal and feasibility study for the development of a new visitor centre for the country park which would provide interpretation on the wildlife. This work was commissioned by East of England Development Agency and Thurrock District Council.
	Stowe Gardens An options appraisal and feasibility study for a new visitor centre replacing the current temporary structure. The client for this project was the National Trust.
	Wells Cathedral The development of an audience development plan in preparation for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant application to fund the provision of a new visitor centre at the Cathedral and interpretation in the undercroft. We are pleased to advise that the cathedral were successful in securing their Heritage Lottery Fund grant.
	Luton Borough Council – Transfer of Cultural Services This project involved the preparation of a business plan for the new trust following the transfer of the Luton Borough Council cultural services, incorporating library, arts and museum services. This work was commissioned by Luton Borough Council.
	Kings Lynn Heritage Building Review A review of four of King’s Lynn’s heritage buildings to ascertain the most appropriate use for the sites and to advise how the buildings could be developed in order to achieve the objectives for the Borough Council, namely: - To allow public access into all of the buildings (access is only allowed into some of the buildings at the current time) - Make the activities in the buildings either financially self-sufficient or more economically viable - Be socially inclusive, in particular ensuring access in accordance with Disability Discrimination Act requirements. This work was commissioned by King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council.
	Lion Salt Works The development of a business plan for the Lion Salt Works museum, in preparation for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant application. A runner up on the BBC programme, Restoration, The Lion Salt Works was the last works to evaporate natural brine in an open pan to produce white salt. We are pleased to advise that following the completion of this project, the Lion Salt Works was awarded its Heritage Lottery Fund grant.
	Dragonfly Bridge A business plan for the Dragonfly Bridge; a concept designed for an East of England Agency competition which incorporated a boat which could be transformed into a bridge including a performance space. The work involved determining possible economic strategies for the bridge, and assessing the subsequent anticipated financial sustainability of the project.