Creative Gardens, Galgorm

Nestled in the historic but formerly overgrown and derelict walled garden of the Estate demesne, this project has become a major public attraction since its opening 2013. A 17,000sq.ft building encompasses a large shop, restaurant and administration area with an adjacent 11,000sq.ft covered display area. The existing rubble brick walls of the Castle’s walled garden have been repointed and exposed which ensures that the garden centre sits seamlessly in the backdrop of the 17th Century castle.

The building integrates with the demesne Masterplan also developed by GM Design Associates which received Planning Approval. Full length glazing to two of the restaurant walls provides views of the estate and neighbouring lake. Rainwater harvesting allows collection from the pitched roofs which is then used to water the various plants within the display areas.

ARCHITECTURE

The enthusiastic multidisciplinary team allows our scope of services to range from private dwellings through to industrial business parks. An open plan office layout boosts creativity whilst providing an integrated design approach to ensure that the client receives the best possible outcome and service. With Chartered Architects and Chartered Architectural Technologists our architectural services include but are not limited to:

Residential development planning
Statutory approvals
Procurement
Construction management
Historic buildings consent
Site selection & appraisal
Feasibility studies
Major & cyclical works programmes
Contract management
Design & build delivery
Social housing
New build
Major & Cyclical works
External work
Condition surveys

Landscape Architecture

The Practice has extensive experience in a wide range of scenarios providing not only an aesthetic appearance but also achieving any necessary BREEAM credits or similar sustainability criteria. The team competently provides services for:

Bespoke private gardens
Public town paths & parks
Historic & costal landscaping
Golf courses, sports facilities & children’s play areas
Landscape & visual impact assessment
Expert witness for planning appeals/public enquiries
University campuses
Parking & access arrangements
Caravan & holiday parks, marinas
Planting schedules, management & maintenance plans
Minerals, landfill and restoration.

Planning Consultancy

The Practice has extensive expertise and exceptional experience in all areas of planning practice including:

Planning Appraisals & Site Feasibility
Planning Applications
Enforcement, provision of advice on regularising unauthorised development
Planning Appeals, Public Inquires and Area Plan. Preparation of written evidence and oral presentation at Appeals and Inquiries
Expert witness and licensing for legal hearings, appeals and public inquiries
Environmental impact assessment
Retail impact assessments
Renewable energy proposals including wind turbines, photovoltaics, etc
Brown field redevelopment & consideration of land contamination
Urban realm and regeneration
Strategic planning and master planning – for the co-ordinated and comprehensive development of large scale sites for residential,commercial and mixed-use developments