Creative Grow on Space – The Old Bus Depot, Colchester

New mixed-use office development

Appointment: RIBA stage 0-6

In partnership with Colchester Amphora Trading Ltd the Old Bus Depot Site, Queen Street, will become home to a New Creative, Digital, Work Space for AIXR - The Academy of International Extended Reality. 

Through stages RIBA 0-3 Inkpen Downie have worked with Colchester Amphora and Colchester Borough Council to secure Planning Approval and Scheduled Monument Consent for this sensitive site in the City of Colchester's Conservation Area, adjacent Colchester’s Roman Wall. Planning Approval was required to support the Council’s business case bid to the South East Local Economic Partnership (SELEP)’s Local Growth Fund which was successful. 

Following Planning Approval, pre-commencement planning conditions we’re discharged and the Design Team have been working towards a site start in 2023. 

The demolition and archaeological excavation phase is now nearing completion. The site has been stripped back in all its fullness. Some of the existing boundary walls will be cleaned up further and be exposed, as part of the new covered thoroughfare to retain character of previous uses. 

As lead Designer/Architects & Conservation Architect on new build, through RIBA 0-6, we've been working with Design Team: Daniel Connal Partnership (QS, CA for Demolition, Party Wall Surveyor); Conisbee (Structural Engineer, CARE SE), John Slater Hayward (M&E) and CDC Limited(Acoustic and Fire).