First look at new Connah’s Quay Sea Cadets HQ that could be built on Dock Road

Plans have been submitted by Connah’s Quay Sea Cadets to build a new headquarters and parade ground on Dock Road.

The proposed development aims to provide a new, purpose-built headquarters for the Sea Cadets, replacing their current facilities on Tuscan Way in the town.

A new Sea Cadets HQ forms part of Flintshire County Council’s £20m Levelling Up Fund Bid for Alyn and Deeside which it is awaiting a decision on from the UK Government.

If plans are approved, the “modern and energy-efficient” headquarters will be built on land next to the former council skip site at Dock Road.

The design of the building is intended to blend in with the surrounding structures and reflect the nautical purpose of the headquarters.

The new building will have a double height multi-purpose hall or main deck and an equipment store at either end building.

There will be two floors of meeting and teaching spaces, a galley kitchen, toilets, stores and offices.

The building is designed to be flexible and will also be available for use by other community groups and organisations.

According to documents submitted with the planning application this week, “the size and design of the building will respect the scale and character of the surrounding industrial units and will blend in with the surrounding buildings on Dock Road.”

There will be a new entrance to the east of the site, off Dock Road, leading to a paved parking area for 15 vehicles.

The layout of the internal rooms is designed to “maximise solar gain and offer views of the Dee Estuary from the main deck.” Documents state.

The design also aims to make use of natural light as much as possible, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

The building will include measures to minimise fuel bills for the Sea Cadets, such as air source heat pumps for heating and roof-mounted photovoltaic panels with battery storage for green energy.

The design follows the energy hierarchy by first reducing energy demands and then increasing energy efficiency.

The building will also feature standing seam roofing and wall panels sourced and manufactured locally at TATA Shotton and Kingspan in Holywell, they will be “in keeping with the local industrial palette of materials.” The documents state.

Newly landscaped areas with native species trees will create a boundary along the eastern edge, serving as a natural screen between the headquarters and neighbouring industrial units and promoting wildlife and biodiversity.

The site will be surrounded by a secure fence and brick walls, and windows will be positioned to overlook open spaces for natural surveillance.

“New Sea Cadets headquarters to be built on brownfield site in Connah’s Quay

The proposed is brownfield area currently covered in grass and scrub.

The building will be located in the centre of the site, with large windows facing northeast towards the Dee Estuary.

“The slim footprint of the building will divide the site into two sections, with parking to the east and a parade ground to the west.” The document states.

This will provide a secure space for outdoor activities and official ceremonies, with a raised deck and mast for flying Royal Navy ensigns.

“The front of the building facing Dock Road and the Dee River will have a positive street presence.”

The footpath that currently crosses the site will be diverted to a new path along the southwestern boundary, providing a faster pedestrian connection to the centre of town.

Levelling up

The plans are part of the Alyn and Deeside Levelling Up Fund bid submitted to the UK Government last year.

If successful, the £20m funding bid will also support the ongoing restoration of the Grade-II listed John Summers Clock Tower and funds to regenerate the former Tata Steel sports and social club which is now owned by the charity Care & Repair Cymru. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​​‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌​​​​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​​​​‍‌​​‌​​‌​

The bid also includes improvements to public spaces and new CCTV cameras at Connah’s Quay dock. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​​‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌​​​​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​​​​‍‌​​‌​​‌​

The de-silting of the dock and a scheme to incentivise business owners on Dock Road to tidy up the fronts of their properties are also featured in the bid. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​​‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌​​​​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​​​​‍‌​​‌​​‌​

A consultation period on the Sea Cadets HQ building proposals has opened and more details can be found here: https://planning.agileapplications.co.uk/flintshire/application-details/66731