Thursday, September 17, 2023
Driving new standards in Wakefield
Construction has commenced to create a brand new multi-purpose test centre for the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) on Silkwood Business Park in Wakefield.
The masterplanner behind the Silkwood development, Wakefield-based architects, The Harris Partnership, has provided plans for the new high specification building, which will be part of a national network of DSA multi-purpose test centres, designed to create safe, off-road test environments for motorcyclists.
When completed, the building will provide 2,100 sq ft of office and meeting space for the driving test centre, and a key outdoor, off-road manoeuvring area for motorcycle testing.
Paul Mitchell, Managing Director of the Harris Partnership, comments; "The new test centres around the country are being created to improve motorcycle testing and safety. Our team has worked closely with DSA on the new Ossett centre to respond to the specific design requirements of the new building and exterior spaces.
"Careful consideration has been given to the design of the external off-road test area, which will be utilised for slow-speed assessment and new avoidance exercises. We have also looked carefully at the interior office and waiting area layout, to maximise the opportunity for the provision and display of important safety messages and other information."
Silkwood Business Park was chosen as a location for the new test centre due to its ease of access to the local road infrastructure.
The business park is located off junction 40 of the M1 and just 10 minutes from Wakefield town centre. DSA will join a host of companies already trading from the Ossett Business Park, including Days Inn Hotels, Total Fitness and Benfield Toyota.
Park developers and owners, St James Investment & property Co Ltd, appointed the award-winning Harris Partnership back in 1996 to develop a masterplan for the entire 160 acre Silkwood development site, and assist throughout the planning process.
The architect has also been responsible for the design of four speculative industrial units on the scheme, ranging in size from 12,000 - 27,000 sq ft, which completed in May 2006. These units are now fully occupied. In addition, two bespoke high specification office units of 5,000 sq ft were completed in October 2007.
Two thirds of Silkwood Business Park has now been developed. The remaining land provides the opportunity for a further 400,000 sq ft of development on a design and build basis.
The masterplanner behind the Silkwood development, Wakefield-based architects, The Harris Partnership, has provided plans for the new high specification building, which will be part of a national network of DSA multi-purpose test centres, designed to create safe, off-road test environments for motorcyclists.
When completed, the building will provide 2,100 sq ft of office and meeting space for the driving test centre, and a key outdoor, off-road manoeuvring area for motorcycle testing.
Paul Mitchell, Managing Director of the Harris Partnership, comments; "The new test centres around the country are being created to improve motorcycle testing and safety. Our team has worked closely with DSA on the new Ossett centre to respond to the specific design requirements of the new building and exterior spaces.
"Careful consideration has been given to the design of the external off-road test area, which will be utilised for slow-speed assessment and new avoidance exercises. We have also looked carefully at the interior office and waiting area layout, to maximise the opportunity for the provision and display of important safety messages and other information."
Silkwood Business Park was chosen as a location for the new test centre due to its ease of access to the local road infrastructure.
The business park is located off junction 40 of the M1 and just 10 minutes from Wakefield town centre. DSA will join a host of companies already trading from the Ossett Business Park, including Days Inn Hotels, Total Fitness and Benfield Toyota.
Park developers and owners, St James Investment & property Co Ltd, appointed the award-winning Harris Partnership back in 1996 to develop a masterplan for the entire 160 acre Silkwood development site, and assist throughout the planning process.
The architect has also been responsible for the design of four speculative industrial units on the scheme, ranging in size from 12,000 - 27,000 sq ft, which completed in May 2006. These units are now fully occupied. In addition, two bespoke high specification office units of 5,000 sq ft were completed in October 2007.
Two thirds of Silkwood Business Park has now been developed. The remaining land provides the opportunity for a further 400,000 sq ft of development on a design and build basis.
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