Behind the Curtain of Design

Ever wondered how an idea becomes a building? Our project at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park was inspired by its beautiful surroundings. This philosophy of creating meaningful destinations is a thread that runs through our history, from our early innovations to looking back at Rushden Lakes, one of our most landmark retail and leisure achievements.

Overcoming an 8-Year Planning Challenge: How HPW Delivered Success in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

For eight years, our client faced setbacks trying to secure planning approval for their scheme. Multiple attempts were made with no success, leading to frustration and uncertainty. That’s when HPW was appointed to take a fresh look at the project. The result? We not only delivered a better scheme, but we also achieved planning approval on the first attempt—within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The client was overjoyed, and the result demonstrated our ability to turn challenges into opportunities.

Our team has a long-standing reputation for navigating complex requirements, and looking back often provides the best inspiration for the future. You can take a look back to this impressive glass structure we designed or revisit a significant flashback to 2010—HPW's unbeatable moment to see how our design standards have evolved.

What made us succeed?

The key lay in our holistic approach to problem-solving, informed by careful listening, deep analysis, and strategic thinking.Planning approval isn’t just about ticking boxes; it requires balancing a wide range of factors to satisfy the needs of all stakeholders—from the client to the Local Planning Authority(LPA) and beyond.

Whether we are exploring trends in workplace design for enhanced wellbeing or large-scale tourism developments, the fundamentals of design excellence remain the same. In this particular case, we had to navigate:

• Building size: Ensuring the scheme fit within the site’s context while meeting the client’s needs.

• Sustainable building methods: Incorporating practices that aligned with environmental standards and expectations. Flooding concerns: Adhering to Environmental Agency guidelines for flood levels, critical in safeguarding the project’s viability.

• Material use: Prioritising local and natural materials to respect the heritage site and minimise environmental impact.

• Visual impact: Addressing how the development would be viewed from surrounding areas, maintaining harmony with the landscape.

From the outset, we recognised that solving these challenges required a shift in perspective. We worked closely with the client to reimagine their approach, helping them see the potential in aligning their vision with the demands of the planning process. Once they embraced this new mindset, the path forward became much clearer.

Success in the leisure and retail sectors is best measured by the long-term satisfaction of our partners. We invite you to read a reflection on past testimonials from garden centres as well as a reflection on past testimonials from holiday parks to see how this collaborative spirit translates into reality.

Our expertise, coupled with the client’s trust in our process, made what had once seemed insurmountable relatively straightforward. By listening, absorbing key insights, and aligning priorities, we turned an eight-year struggle into a story of success.

If you have a challenging project, we’d love to hear from you; drop us a line and let’s chat.