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ACO Technologies, Shefford

Woods Hardwick have been working with ACO Technologies one of the world market leaders in drainage technologies preparing a masterplan strategy for the redevelopment of the existing production facility at Shefford. The client brief was to provide new buildings, a new production building, a new warehouse building, rationalised office spaces and external storage areas to support the worldwide ACO operations. To enable the site redevelopment the client entered into discussions with their neighbours to purchase adjoining farm land. As part of the client restructuring the new facility would also allow for the consolidation of other local ACO sites onto the new development.

Extensive discussions were held both in the UK and Germany developing the project brief for the Shefford site. Various layouts were prepared and refined that both addressed the client needs, the local planning authority requirements and the adjoining neighbours.

The first phase of the masterplan completed is the new warehouse building providing over 4,900 m2 (52,750 sqft) of new internal floor area with internal office provision and another 9,290 m2 (100,000 sqft) of external storage hardstanding. The warehouse with a 9 m haunch height provides internal storage areas and areas of racking. Along the elevation fronting the external storage yard a continuous strip of ribbon windows has been provided that not only provides a well light internal environment but also provides good visual links to activities on the external storage area.

With the warehouse and the external storage area completed and fully occupied by ACO, Woods Hardwick have begun discussions with the client to progress through planning the Phase 2 element of the masterplan and to develop the client brief and the design for Phase 3.