The major restoration and redevelopment of the historic Great Grimsby Ice Factory site will see it become a new hub for the UK’s offshore wind, green maritime and renewable energy industry, with the scheme’s initial elements recently securing planning approval from North East Lincolnshire Council.

Built in 1900, the ‘at risk’ Grade-II listed buildings in Grimsby Docks originally supplied crushed ice for the town’s thriving fishing fleet. At its peak in the 1950s, up to 1,200 tonnes of ice a day left the facility, before the industry went into decline and the factory shut its gates. Now, developer Tom Shutes is set to breathe new life into this maritime gem through ambitious redevelopment plans.

Centred around a major renovation of the derelict Ice Factory, the Waugh Thistleton Architects-designed scheme will incorporate a 1,000-seat events venue, 56,000 sq ft of office space and a research and development area for offshore renewables. Elsewhere, a newly built 161-bed Kasbah Hilton Hotel will also be incorporated within the site.

Following years of underinvestment, this significant redevelopment will help drive widespread regeneration across the Grimsby Docks area, with the scheme aiming to create 600 new jobs.

Working closely with the project team, Waterman’s structural and civil engineering experts supported the scheme throughout the planning process, helping unlock the site’s potential through a series of sensitive design interventions. To maximise available floor space, the south building will be extended to incorporate a new entrance, whilst two new first-floor bridges will enable access between the two buildings.

Focussing on the sympathetic restoration of original features, our team developed the scheme’s conservation strategy, liaising with Historic England to ensure their concerns and requirements were addressed. This led to the retention of the historic facades and ice compressor room, whilst the boiler house will be repurposed to provide food and drinks facilities.

With planning permission now in place for the initial elements, our experts have also supported Shutes’ wider vision for the remainder of the site. This has seen us provide advice on a range of speculative options including a new floating solar array, the repurposing of Henderson Jetty and the potential addition of light industrial and commercial units along Fish Docks.

We are delighted to welcome Clare Peart as our new Technical Director for Infrastructure and Environment based in our Birmingham office. Joining us from Infrastructure Planning and Design Ltd, Clare will play a key role in driving the growth and delivery of our infrastructure portfolio across the Midlands.

A Chartered Engineer with over thirty years’ experience, Clare has delivered a wide variety of significant civil engineering, transportation, and infrastructure projects. Her extensive project portfolio includes schemes such as the major Ansty Park development, Blythe Business Park, Fradley’s Hay End Lane residential development, Orgreave Farm offices, Dove Way Household Waste Recycling Centre, and Cannock Designer Outlet Retail Park.

Unite Students’ 6-12 Kennington Lane student living scheme in Kennington, London, is a mixed-use development featuring industrial and community spaces across ground and mezzanine levels, with purpose-built student accommodation above.

The scheme provides 511 high-quality student bedrooms, including 177 affordable (35%) and 26 wheelchair-accessible rooms. Accommodation options are placed in a mix of clusters varying in size with shared kitchens, together with individual studios. The industrial spaces have the option of being utilised as either self-storage or a fulfilment centre, while a new community space supports local groups and service providers.

The development rises to a maximum of 15 storeys with a drop down to 13 storeys towards Elephant and Castle, and then down to seven storeys to the rear of the building to minimise the visual impact to neighbouring residents. This site is ideally located between Elephant and Castle and Kennington stations which will provide students with excellent transport links.