Context

Bailey Streetscene provided a large outdoor covered seating area and resting spots at the scenic grounds of the Delamere Forest Visitors' Centre.

The £9m development from Willmott Dixon, on behalf of Forestry England, will welcome over 750,000 visitors a year, and includes an eco-friendly timber framed-visitor centre, café, event spaces, accessible toilets, 500-space car park, new cycle hub, and a large outdoor covered seating area. Sustainability was at the core of this project with solar panels, a sustainable drainage design and rainwater harvesting all incorporated.

Requirement

Bailey Streetscene was appointed to design, manufacture and install the external furniture, a robust 15x7m canopy, and the car park pay station shelters. All products were manufactured and clad in Scottish larch, which provides a durable and natural finish and is sustainably grown and managed.

The external furniture included two new additions from Bailey's Inspira range: a centrepiece 7.5x4.5m oval planter with integrated timber seating; and four L-shaped benches topped with timber that cornered the pathways to the center.

Greengate seats are positioned overlooking the site, providing visitors with a pleasant spot to take in the views.

Stainless steel Sheffield cycle stands are dotted around the site, as well as the Cycle Hub providing multiple cycle parking spots for the many cyclists visiting the forest.

The canopy and pay station shelters feature a robust design, whilst maintaining a natural finish that echoes the character of the main visitors centre and the location itself.

Outcome

The project was completed in the summer of 2020 in the midst of the COVID pandemic, with the Bailey Streetscene team working in a staggered and co-ordinated way, adapting to a series of stringent safety measures to ensure the deadline was met as safely as possible.

Due to the increased popularity of outdoor leisure spaces, Delamere Forest has seen thousands of people visiting the site each week. The new facilities are of increased importance helping people access the forest, benefiting their physical health and mental wellbeing.