Consent for McHugh’s enterprise centre

McHugh Stoppard Architecture has won planning permission to overhaul the Community Enterprise Centre in Walton, Liverpool.

The centre, known locally as 'Wallynash' and run by the Walton Community & Enterprise Partnership, provides space for local enterprise and community activity within the old Walton St Mary Primary school. With a budget of just £800,000 the proposal includes both internal and external refurbishment.

Project Principal, Michael Young, of McHugh Stoppard, said: "We have taken inspiration from the stained glass windows of the nearby Grade II listed St Mary's Church. The challenge was to go beyond the Victorian institutional aesthetic of the building, whilst still utilising the building's intrinsic qualities."

McHugh Stoppard proposes "a multi-layered facade of translucent panels creating a unique spatial condition on selective elevations of the building."

Southward the panels offer solar protection to office accommodation, to the North and West they offer added security protection to the building and on the eastern facade they enhance the visual presence of the centre to the adjoining high street.

The client is seeking ERDF funding for the project and work is due to begin on site in September.