The Ironworks
LAKE DISTRICT, CUMBRIA, UK
- CONSTRUCTION COMMENCING SOON -
The Ironworks is a retreat development that sits sets out approximately 2,600sqm of various buildings over almost 3 hectares of brownfield land on the former site of the Millom Ironworks, adjacent to the Millom Ironworks Nature Reserve on the Duddon Estuary within the District of Copeland, Cumbria. The scheme was granted planning in January 2020 by Copeland Borough Council.
OUR ROLE
Greenway Associates is the appointed Cost Consultant and we are working alongside the client As If By Magic Ltd, architectural practice IDK and project manager Counter Culture to assist in the cost planning and procurement stages. Daniel Reid is our team leader on this project.
THE PROJECT AIMS
Development work is being undertaken on behalf of As If By Magic Ltd, a local private company established for the purposes of delivering this vision, with ambitions to create a highly bespoke site for the training, learning and practice of various arts in a retreat setting. The design, procurement, delivery, operation and management of the retreat will align with the deep rooted philosophies, principles and beliefs of the directors. The goal of the overarching master plan is to create a small “earth village” where each architectural intervention in the landscape offers a unique, restorative experience.
As If By Magic will run and operate the site in the long term, offering residential and communal services for guests and residents of Millom alike. The scheme aims to revitalise the area with job creation and by building a new thriving enterprise in the town, within the nurturing landscape of the historic site.
THE SITE
The Old Ironworks Site in Millom was once the heartbeat of the town’s industry, but was closed in 1968 and Millom is now a redundant industrial estate. Having been left to regenerate for over 5 decades, the areas is now a Site of Specific Scientific Interest. The wood surrounds a mound of slag left over from the iron-smelting works. Grass and vegetation has been encouraged to grow in it and now some parts of the sloping sides have been labelled as Millom Ironworks Wood. It does have a small number of trees among the acres of rugged grass, gorse and other bushes, and cover is still sparse although it is developing. The pure iron base of the original “No.1 Furnace” is still present.
THE LINE UP
Client: As If By Magic Ltd
Client Project Manager: Counterculture
Architect & Design Lead: IDK
Cost Consultant: Greenway Associates
Principle Designer: ORSA
Ecology & CEMP: Dr Mark Hampton
Landscape Architect: Barnes Walker
Sustainably Built: BREEAM Assessor
Lighting Asylum: Lighting designer
APD: Planning consultant