Barnsley Council – Project Management

Project Overview 

Barnsley Council were granted £23 million funding from the UK Government’s Towns Fund to help regenerate, renew and, revitalise Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe, and Bolton upon Dearne. Part of the regeneration project aims to provide a green outdoor space that local people can enjoy and use to host markets, paving the way for social and economic growth within the community and an improved quality of life. 

Barnsley Council required Pennington Choices to provide Project Management, Quantity Surveying and Principal Design services for this project. The council commissioned the demolition of a local pub and initiated the regeneration project, replacing the pub with a town square, featuring green spaces and plants, space for the local market to be held, and a special mosaic plaque dedicated to the demolished pub. 

Our Approach 

Prior to works starting, our team met with the client and the appointed contractor to confirm our understanding of the project requirements, identify key stakeholders, and establish significant milestones. This efficient level of communication meant that we had assurance that the project would run smoothly and benefit the community by providing them with a green space to kickstart their regeneration project. 

• Project Management  

Our Project Manager was responsible for monitoring the performance of the contractor, the cost of the regeneration works, and checking and confirming the quality of works produced. We also supervised any design variations to the planned work and acted as a liaison between the contractor and the client to maintain open channels of communication. This consultation and open communication helped to match up the design brief with the aspirations and visions of the community. 

• Quantity Surveying  

Our Quantity Surveyor played a pivotal role in monitoring all costs associated with the project, including variations, valuations, and payments. They were also responsible for diligently tracking and confirming the costs incurred by the contractor throughout the project’s lifecycle. As a result, the project remained on schedule and within budget. 

• Principal Design 

Before the contract started, our Principal Designer provided the council with a pre-construction pack and ensured that the council fully understood their duties under the Construction Design Management (CDM) regulations. 

Our Principal Designer then monitored the contractor’s adherence to health and safety protocols and the construction phase plan. Throughout the course of the contract, a health and safety plan and risk register were assembled and issued to the council upon project handover, outlining any health and safety concerns to ensure the workers and members of the community were safe. 

Our Achievement  

The public square was formally opened by Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr James Michael Stowe, and received words of praise from the council’s cabinet spokesperson and residents after giving them hope that the regeneration project would bring life back into their beloved village.  

Thanks to our open channels of communication and frequent progress meetings, the project was completed in the desired timeline, without exceeding the allocated budget, and we attended the opening event to witness the joy the project had brought to the people of Goldthorpe. Our ability to work flexibly and collaboratively on this project has helped us to develop and maintain a strong working relationship with Barnsley Council.