Design team appointed for Newton Heath plans

FC United has appointed a design team to take the proposed ground and community sports development at Ten Acres Lane to planning stage.

The design team is headed up by project managers Frank Whittle Partnerships, planning consultant Kath Ludlam and architects Taylor Young.

The design team has been assembled following a competitive tender process overseen by a sub-committee of the club’s elected board members and general manager Andy Walsh.

Frank Whittle Partnership will oversee the project from start to finish, FWP have a wide range of previous relevant experience and an understanding for what FC United is seeking to achieve in the development of the community facility.

FWP’s role will include: ensuring progress is made, on time and on budget; leading the appointments of further professionals and consultants; with regular reporting to the project board and the main FC United board.

Also in place is experienced planning consultant Kath Ludlam, Kath’s role includes:
• Overseeing and delivering the planning application
• Managing the local consultation with residents and community groups
• Working with a range of other professionals
• Researching and producing a series of reports/documents: from the environmental impact of the development to traffic and transport

Finally, Taylor Young have been appointed as architects. Taylor Young are one of Manchester’s longest established firms with a wealth of experience their function is to provide a ground design following consultation with FC United members and Newton Heath residents.

The process will be in two stages - firstly the planning application and then the more detailed work with the yet to be appointed building contractors. The club has targeted the end of August to submit a full planning application.

Andy Walsh said: "We have taken a lot of advice and are satisfied that these appointments mean we now have the necessary expertise in place as we move through the consultation and planning processes to help make the ground development a reality.

"It is important to us that local residents and our club members have a direct input to the design process. We have already got draft timelines in place and while futire activity will depend on a successful planning application and our ability to raise the necessary funding, this is another exciting stage of the project development.

"The design team appointments are significant steps forward in ensuring our ground is developed and delivered in the correct way and on budget."??

The costs for each appointment were factored into the overall cost for the ground at the beginning of the planning process.

Frank Whittle Partners also successfully bid for the role of quantity surveyor. Additional members of the design team include:

Ian Scott-Hughes - Structural Engineers
AECOM - Highways Consultants
Beverly Clifton Morris - M & E Design Consultants
TEP - Ecology Survey

Leading Manchester law firm, Cobbetts Solicitors is providing the club with legal support and advice whilst the club’s accountants RSM Tenon continue to act as the club’s financial advisors.