New build retail units and offices – Client: D & P Unsworth and JCA Limited

The yard and workshop had for many years been the home of the Unsworth family motor services and repair business located in the heart of the Cartmel Conservation Area.

After the business closed the site was vacant and a new use was negotiated and approved by the Planning Authority to convert the workshop into an affordable dwelling and build in the yard 4 no. commercial units comprising 3 no. retail shops and 1 no. commercial office.  Two of the retail units are now complete and occupied by local food businesses and the offices are owned and occupied by JCA Limited.

This modern development incorporates many sustainable features including solar shading, rainwater harvesting and very high standards of insulation.  The buildings are constructed in a timber frame incorporating blown re-cycled newspaper insulation in the walls of the JCA Limited offices.

The site was originally bounded by a high stone wall and this solid character and enclosing feature has been retained in the new build which is faced with random rubble local stone and roofed in local slate.

Within the site is a landscaped court yard providing a good sheltered, attractive, amenity for the many visitors to the village and also the occupants of the development.