We have recently completed three retail units for Hammerson plc as part of a £30m enhancement programme to their successful Cyfarthfa Retail Park at Merthyr Tydfil.
The site was prepared after extensive remains were discovered of the original Cyfarthfa Ironworks founded in 1765. The remains are part of the adjoining blast furnaces which have Site of Ancient Monument status, so every effort was made to record and protect them before construction resumed.
We worked with tenant B&Q to create a flagship store of 45,000 sq.ft. in line with their new sustainability initiatives. The B&Q unit is their first eco learning store in the UK and achieves low energy, low carbon and high recycled targets. The roof has 50% green cover and incorporates transpired solar collector technology developed by Sustainable Building Envelope Centre, Tata Steel. A wood effect rainscreen on the main elevations and a low profile roof helps to reduce the visual impact from nearby Cyfarthfa Castle, a requirement of the local planning authority.
The external layout includes a section of heritage trail to link with the adjacent network and provides a viewing patform and artwork.
Cyfarthfa Retail Park North is one of the many successful appointments with Hammerson and additional works are scheduled to continue into 2015.