Community
Support, advice and architectural expertise for charity and community projects and affordable housing.
Owens galliver associates
formerly owens galliver architects
- Feasibility studies
- Public consultation
- Preparation of grant applications
- Design studies
- Planning consultancy +negotiation
- Planning applications
- Acting as expert witness
- Flood risk assessment
- Procurement advice
- Illustration and publicity
- Schedules of work
- Detail design
- Working drawings
- Contract administration
- Client Representative
1stReading Sea Scouts HQ Caversham
The Practice was initially commissioned to refurbish an existing hut. After an arson attack it was found a new building would be more sensible. After 9 years of work, Planning Approval was achieved and the project was completed in 2014.
Despite the building being raised on storey height piling, the Application had been resisted by the Environment Agency but Flood Risk Assessments prepared by the practice, citing flood resilience and usage, won support from the Planning Authority.
Following the design and planning stages, the Practice acted as Employer’s Representative using a Design and Build Contract.
The building has air source heating and hot water, and solar generated electricity, with underfloor heating, and is self funding.
Aldworth Village Hall
The unique Downland site is on the village cricket pitch, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The original 90 year old building, a First World War hut, had served its time, was expensive to run, and was suffering from rot.
Wide consultation and a variety of feasibility studies covering refurbishment and extension options culminated in support from parishioners for an entirely new building, providing improved facilities, a full size kitchen, disabled WC and shower, a flexi/meeting room, a better pavilion, and a hall which itself is almost half as big again as the original. The process took over 11 years to complete.
Funding was lead by Greenham Common Trust, supported by other charities, West Berkshire Council, and significant sums from local people.
The building has air source heating and hot water, and solar generated electricity, with underfloor heating, and is self funding.
St Mary's Church Aldworth
A modest but carefully planned and crafted extension to this Grade I listed church, the home of the famous Aldworth Giants, was granted Planning Approval and a Faculty from the Diocese of Oxford, following lengthy and detailed negotiation with English Heritage, and detailed design work.
It won support from all interested parties, including the Society for The Protection of Ancient Buildings.
All design work illustrations and negotiations were carried out by, and approvals including the Faculty obtained by, The Practice.
The Project was completed 12 years after our initial feasibility work was undertaken.
Community Housing Projects
Housing schemes for English Villages Housing Association, on exception sites in rural Berkshire and South Oxfordshire.
The Practice was responsible for all Planning matters, site layout and house types, and at Binfield Heath also acted as an expert witness during legal challenges to the scheme. Latterly the Practice prepared construction drawings, working with the Design & Build Contractors.
Both schemes were opened by H.R.H. Princess Anne, to whom the Partners were introduced on each occasion.
