Clay Cross Town Regeneration

Sectors: Retail, Leisure, Public Realm, Mixed Use
Status: In Progress
Client: North East Derbyshire County Council
Location: Clay Cross, Derbyshire
Value: £7m
Delivery Partners: Edge, Buttress Architects, PJA, Connekt Building Services
Services Delivered: Structural Engineering, Geotechnical and Geo-environmental
Dates: 2023-Present

Dice was appointed by North East Derbyshire District Council to complete Structural engineering, Geotechnical and Geo-environmental services for the new town regeneration scheme in the centre of Clay Cross, following successful receipt of Town Funding from the Government.

The scheme comprises a new public realm events space, surrounded by the former DACES (Derbyshire Adult Community Education Centre) building, listed clocktower building and new incubation units. It is intended to regenerate the town centre and bring increased footfall, retail and jobs to Clay Cross.

Throughout the design process, Dice kept sustainability and embodied carbon at the forefront of the structural design. Embodied carbon assessments have been completed at each RIBA stage to inform positive decisions such as the adoption of hybrid steel & timber floor and roof structure in lieu of concrete slabs.

Our expert team of geo-environmental consultants also completed a Phase 1 desk study and Phase 2 site investigation. The site is located in an area of former coal mining, therefore potential shallow mine workings were identified as a key risk. As such we completed a detailed mining risk assessment and recommended grout testing to ensure that the ground will be suitable for the proposed foundations.

3D visuals & masterplan by Buttress Architects

DACES Building Structural Solution

The DACES building comprises the demolition of the existing roof, internal floors and walls of the two-storey pitched roof masonry structure, to create a vertical extension with an additional floor and a two-storey lateral extension to the front of the building. The philosophy of the proposals is to retain the existing north, east and west masonry facades, maintaining the character of the existing building, but adding a modern twist with the metal clad extensions and flexible open plan spaces.

To achieve the proposals, Dice designed a steel frame providing lateral support to the retained masonry façades, new floors and roof. The steel frame is also extended outwards to support the new two storey extension. The steel frame has been designed to provide column free, flexible internal spaces. To minimise the weight of the structure and embodied carbon, timber roofs and timber Posi-joist floors have been specified in lieu of concrete slabs and steel purlins.

Careful coordination was required between the new and existing foundations, to ensure that the existing facades are not undermined during the works. Cantilever ground beams have been designed in conjunction with piled foundations to support the steel superstructure.

A temporary façade retention system will be erected prior to commencement of the works.

Clocktower Building Extension Structural Solution

The clocktower building proposals include refurbishment of the existing two storey adult community centre and an extension to the rear to create a new library and café. Again, the interface between the new and existing structures has been carefully considered to ensure that the proposals do not compromise the stability of the existing load bearing masonry structure. A steel frame has been designed to support the new extension which allows large clear spans over the new library with a pitched roof and large extent of glazing to the gable elevation. The steel frame is also designed to cantilever adjacent to the existing building such that it remains independently stable.

An existing underground railway tunnel sits in close proximity to the existing building and has been considered with proposed piling method for the foundations.

Dice also completed a detailed visual structural inspection of the existing 100-year-old building and made recommendations for remedial works to bring it up to a modern-day standard.

Incubation Units Structural Solution

The new single storey incubation units will provide flexible space for popup retailers and business start-ups. Dice undertook a thorough optioneering exercise for the new structures including traditional load bearing masonry and modular or SIP construction. A steel frame solution was ultimately chosen due to the brief’s requirement for open flexible internal spaces and fully glazed front elevations.