VALUE: £10.35 million
Duration: 54 weeks
Weavers’ Triangle, or ON THE BANKS as the whole development has been renamed, is one of the finest surviving Victorian industrial landscapes in the UK.
The site, once at the heart of Burnley’s textile industry, encompasses many listed industrial buildings and other heritage assets.
Barnfield Construction and Burnley Council have created a unique private/public sector joint venture delivery vehicle, named Barnfield Burnley Developments Limited, which will transform this former run down area into a thriving community mixing business, enterprise, heritage, tourism, culture & leisure.
The first phase of the major redevelopment is now complete and saw the Grade II Listed Victoria Mill transformed into the North West’s first University Technical College (UTC).
The college provides technical study for 800 students aged between 14-19 specialising in construction and engineering, which will have a long lasting impact on Burnley.
The UTC project included the major renovation of the former Victoria Mill, Weavers Shed and Engine Room including new floors and roofs together with extensive timber and roof repairs which have been carried out in strict accordance with The English Heritage Trust.
A new build multi-purpose hall has been constructed next to the mill which fits in perfectly mixing old and new material to give this historic area of national significance a 21st century modern twist.
The development sensitively mixes historic features with iconic modern infrastructure to create an unrivaled mixed use waterside development.
Inside the UTC:
- Engineering/construction workshops
- Restaurant
- Thematic Hub
- Lecture Theatre
- Prototyping Suite
- ICT Suites
- Science Labs
- Multifunctional Hall
- General Learning Suites
- Staff Rooms
- Board Room
- Senior Social Space
Barnfield Burnley Developments Limited will secure the future of the town’s most important heritage assets, improve local employment prospects, and increase permeability through the site linking housing areas with Burnley Town Centre as well as providing significant infrastructure, highway and environmental enhancements.
This is the first project in the north of England to receive Regional Growth Fund Round 2 investment, and it has been the key role in unlocking £8.8m funding for the “Todmorden Curve” rail link with Manchester.
Steve Gray, Chief Executive of Training 2000 commented on the project:
“Converting an 18th Century Mill brings many challenges especially with only having a 16 month conversion time. Turning this project from a plan to reality really is an achievement and the team at Barnfield have turned this into a reality in the very short timescales.”
Martin Callagher, Managing Director at Visions Learning Trust, said:
“It’s been great working with Barnfield Construction on this project. Having their professional knowledge and experience behind this project has been invaluable and has enabled us to meet tight deadlines. The work they have achieved in such challenging circumstances is really exemplary.”
