This summer we were delighted to hand over the keys on a very exciting project at Westonbirt School on behalf of the Wishford Group.

Throughout 2023, we have completed construction on an artificial pitch for hockey, a multi-use games area for tennis and netball, cricket practice nets, estates facility with the finishing touch being a state-of-the-art clubhouse.

Inside, the clubhouse is decked out with home and away changing & toilet facilities, equipment and storage. A single-storey, timber frame building, its canopy and glazed club room provide a shelter for viewing the activity on either of the sports pitches.

We also installed an estate enclosure, including storage, a workshop, and staff facilities.

At Verde, we work locally in the South West to help our community, with this project being the latest example!

Design Development & Preparation

Working in collaboration with a team of professionals through RIBA stages 2-4, our full service offerings were showcased here, particularly due to the planning requirements on a site as picturesque and protected as Westonbirt.

The House is Grade 1 listed, as well as the extensive Registered Park and Garden. The site is located within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Westonbirt Conservation Area.

Building on Grade One landscape opposite the National Arboretum, we took several steps to protect the environment.

The sports facilities were located strategically in order to retain the trees in the north, south, and east. As well as this, lighting proposals were tested to understand the impact on ecology, performance, and visual impact.

The colour of the clubhouse building was also specifically chosen to create a recessive appearance – with green sport surfaces and mesh fencing lessening the impact on the landscape beyond.

The estate enclosure featured a pitch roof and black boxed-profiled steel cladding to give the appearance of a farm building.

Construction & End Result

The sports pitches have three metre fencing around the perimeter, though to the west it was lowered to 1.2m to enable a better viewing area – also adding a benefit of lessening its overall visual impact.

In terms of the surfaces, the astro-turf has all-weather surfacing with artificial grass and will enable Westonbirt to host competitive hockey matches against other schools, and the proposals as a whole will enable sport sessions to happen more frequently, encouraging more students to participate.

The netball / tennis court on the other hand is made up of coloured tarmac.

We can’t wait to see the students smiling on their new facilities!

About Westonbirt

A boarding school for both boys and girls aged 2-18 located in the beautiful Cotswolds, Westonbirt is rated as excellent for academic achievement and personal development, placed within the top 5% of schools for value added, success is celebrated, and talent is nurtured.

This summer we were delighted to hand over the keys on a very exciting project for Westonbirt School. 🥳 🔑

Artificial Hockey Pitch ✅

MUGA for Tennis & Netball ✅

Cricket Practice Nets ✅

Clubhouse ✅

Estate Enclosure ✅ pic.twitter.com/RPvoZb0kqZ

— Verde (@weareverde_uk) August 1, 2023