North West
Greater Manchester
Paul Butler Associates are an independent planning, development and heritage consultancy advising on schemes across the UK since our foundation in 1992.
We advise on all aspects of the planning system and have a particular expertise across the historic environment and works associated with listed buildings, conservation areas and non-designated heritage assets. We work with clients across the public and private sector and advise on high profile projects and developments within a heritage context.
Our work includes Heritage Statements; Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans; Conservation Management Plans; Heritage Expert Witness at planning inquiries; and specialist advice on a variety of planning and heritage matters.
We also offer a full suite of archaeological services including building recording; the preparation of written schemes of investigation; desk-based assessments; archaeological evaluations; and archaeological watching briefs.
The Quadrangle, University of Manchester
The ‘Old Quad’ is the oldest part of the University of Manchester with all its buildings by Alfred Waterhouse, one of the most prominent Victorian architects, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and the Natural History Museum. In addition to the Whitworth Building, the Quad features the John Owens and Beyer Buildings forming a group of Grade II* and Grade II Listed buildings.
This iconic area on campus is well-known for its central role in students’ graduation ceremonies, and for its much-photographed ivy wall featuring the colourful leaves that adorn the Beyer Laboratory being the background to generations of graduation photographs.
Despite the highly significant buildings that face onto the square, our heritage and planning statement concluded that works throughout the 1960s to the present day had diminished the character and setting of the assets, in particular the tarmac surface and car parking. This led to Paul Butler Associates providing heritage and planning services for the remodelling work which saw the removal of the existing tarmac car park and the creation of a high-quality innovative landscape, focused on environmental gains, sustainability, historic integrity, accessibility, and biodiversity.
‘The high quality design will enhance the surrounding built environment and make a positive contribution to the University Campus and City generally… The Heritage Statement demonstrates the proposed works have been designed with a clear understanding of the history and heritage significance of the site and demonstrate a conservation-led approach’. – Manchester City Council Officer Report
The new design provides additional green spaces and seating across the campus, seeking to create a differentiated solution that stands out from other surrounding areas; whilst ensuring the chosen materials and design remain in keeping with the courtyard’s history and significance. We informed the scheme throughout design development and continued to provide support for the discharge of conditions. Key considerations were ensuring that the design, materiality, and street furniture would adhere to the historic setting.
Paul Butler Associates were involved in the adaptive re-use of the Grade II* St. Peter’s Church from 1996, being a founding partner in the Ancoats Preservation Trust set up to save the long vacant building.
We initially advised on a package of urgent works to rectify building fabric issues at immediate risk and worked as heritage and planning consultants as part of a multi-disciplinary team conducting a feasibility study into the potential re-use for the vacant and badly deteriorating former church. We assessed the significance of the site and its component parts that despite years of loss, damage and vandalism still had elements of high importance that we ensured were retained and restored.
PBA led a successful bid for HLF funding on behalf of the Ancoats Building Preservation Trust and, subsequently working with the Hallé Orchestra, helped secure listed building consent and planning permission to convert the St. Peter’s Church for use as a rehearsal hall for the Halle orchestra and choir, thereby securing a use for the building which had been vacant for many years.
This was later followed by our appointment to advise on heritage and planning for a major extension. The proposals involved the redevelopment of the existing car park adjoining the Hallé St. Peter’s with a bold contemporary extension to provide additional facilities for the Hallé Orchestra including new rehearsal accommodation, multi-use spaces, café and associated ancillary facilities.
Paul Butler Associates secured planning permission and listed building consent for the change of use and conversion of the vacant Grade II listed Trinity Church in Bowdon to nine apartments along with car parking and landscaped areas.
Trinity Church is located within the leafy area of the Higher Downs Conservation Area. The Church was erected in 1872, designed by the renowned architects Messrs. Speakman, Son and Hickson of Manchester, in the early English style of architecture.
Paul Butler Associates acted as planning agent and prepared planning and heritage statements in support of the applications.
The scheme involved a package of conservation repairs alongside carefully considered alterations to the vacant church allowing its conversion to a use that secured its long-term future. The proposals saw the retention of many of the key historic and architectural features and was designed in a way as to minimise impact on the building’s fabric.
Since securing permission, Paul Butler Associates also progressed a series of minor material amendments to the scheme together with the discharge conditions enabling the scheme to progress to site.
Link
Name: Mark Clifford
Job title: Principal Heritage Consultant
Tel: 0161 835 3530
Historic Building conservation YES
Conservation planning YES
Architectural design and new build in historic areas YES
Historical research YES
Historic area assessments YES
Project Management
Archaeology YES
Other