Background

The refurbishment of the Crown Court Yard area has seen the removal of car parking in the square and adjacent streets to create the first new public square in Wakefield for over a decade.

This project, undertaken by Wakefield Council, is part of a co-ordinated programme of improvements to streets and spaces within Wakefield city centre.

The aim is to achieve high standards and quality of design, enhance the character of the city, ensure consistency of spaces, remove clutter and create a safe and inviting environment for residents and visitors.

Crown Court Yard is located within Wakefield's historic yards, adjacent to the civic quarter. It is within a conservation area and a number of historic buildings front onto it.

The Scheme

The refurbishment of the Crown Court Yard area has created a new space that:

• Is safe, attractive and pedestrian friendly.
• Has a contemporary and modern feel while reflecting the historic setting.
• Uses high quality natural materials such as sandstone, granite and wood.
• Introduces greenery to the area with trees and planting.
• Includes a range of modern seating.

The concept design was produced by Gillespies design practice with the detailed design developed by Wakefield Council's Transportation and Highways, and Urban Centres Management (UCM).

The refurbishment of the Crown Court Yard area started on site on Monday 26 February 2007 and was re-opened to the public on Friday 3 August 2007. Work was undertaken on the Council's behalf, by Jackson Civil Engineering.

Progress on Site

Week 1 – Car parking was removed, fencing was installed to secure the site and information boards were attached. Initial excavation work started in the Tammy Hall Street area.

Week 3 - The contractors continued to clear the ground and to progress the scheme in line with the agreed time table.

Week 4  - The contractors put down the first section of the concrete base along Tammy Hall Street and Chancery Lane.

Week 5 - The contractors started to put down the first phase of granite kerbs along Tammy Hall Street and parts of Chancery Lane.

Week 6 - The contractors started to put down the first phase of granite sets along Tammy Hall Street.

Week 7 - The contractors continued to lay the granite setts along Tammy Hall Street.

Week 8 -  The contractors completed laying the granite setts and sandstone paving along Tammy Hall Street.

John Foster, Chief Executive and Ian Rothery, Regional Manager from Jackson Civil Engineering marked the start of a partnership framework agreement. This is an innovative four-year partnership between the Council and JCE that will involve a range of high quality, landmark public realm schemes across the city centre; Crown Court Yard is the first of these projects.

Week 9 - The contractors started to lay the mortar along Tammy Hall Street.

Week 10 -  The contractors completed the grouting along Tammy Hall Street.

The sandstone paving was completed along Chancery Lane and the contractors started to lay the granite setts.

Week 11 - The contractors opened up Tammy Hall Street for public access via Lee Street.

Week 12 – The contractors dug up the area from Chancery Lane down to George and Crown Yard and the concrete was laid ready for the laying of granite setts.

The contractors doubled their staff on site and work was being carried out in a number of areas at the same time.

Planning permission was granted for the sculpture that will form the centrepiece for the square.

Week 13 - The construction work along Chancery Lane from King Street was completed.

The contractors laid the sandstone and granite setts along Chancery Lane from the Wood Street entrance area and down from Tammy Hall Street to George and Crown Yard.

The concrete sub base in the central area was put down in preparation for the granite kerbs and sandstone to be laid.

Week 14 – The contractors completed laying the granite setts at the Wood Street entrance and down to George and Crown Yard and continued to lay the sandstone setts on Wood Street.

The central area was prepared for the remainder of the concrete to be laid in advance of the sandstone paving and granite channels.

The contractors completed laying the granite setts at the Wood Street entrance and down to George and Crown Yard and continued to lay the sandstone setts on Wood Street.

Week 15 – The contractors laid the last section of the concrete sub base in the central area.

The Wood Street entrance area was almost completed with the final sandstone setts being laid

The first phase of the sandstone paving was laid in the area from Chancery Lane down to the Old Town Hall.

Week 16 - The contractors continued to lay the sandstone within the central area, including footpaths, the central channel and the radial paving.

Week 17 – Despite problems caused by the weather the contractors managed to lay almost all of the sandstone in the central area. Pedestrian access was re-opened from Wood Street.

Week 18 – Severe weather conditions resulted in problems laying some of the sandstone and setts. Relatively dry weather is required when using the specialist bedding compound. Despite these problems, progress continued with the site preparation completed ready for the installation of the steps and planters.

Week 19 - Paving works were completed in various areas. Work started on the laying of the sandstone steps and the first of the planters. Lighting columns were installed ready for connection. The contractors continued to prepare the site for the installation of the sculpture.

Week 20 – The contractors continued to lay the sandstone planters and steps in the central area of the square. The sculpture was successfully transported from the foundry to Crown Court Yard where the contractors worked with the artist to install the sculpture.

Week 21 – The contractors almost finished laying the sandstone for the smaller planter and continued to lay the sandstone for the larger planter.  The contractors completed the sandstone steps and the radial sandstone paving in the area between the two planters.

Week 22 – The contractors completed the top planter and continued to lay further pieces of larger planter. The stonemason was on site carrying out minor alterations to the sandstone blocks in the central area.

The uplighters along Chancery Lane were installed and work began to install the wall mounted street lighting along George and Crown Yard.

Week 23 - The contractors completed the installation and grouting of both the sandstone planters. The landscapers completed the installation of the four pleached trees and the rest of the planting

The uplighters, streetlighting columns, floodlighting and wall-mounted lighting were installed on Tammy Hall Street, Chancery Lane, George and Crown Yard and within Crown Court Yard.   The seating in the central area was installed and the area was swept and jet washed.

After 3 August the following outstanding areas of work were carried out:

• The installation of the anti – skate stop measures around the outside of the planters
• The four cycle racks along Tammy Hall Street
• The bollard at the entrance from King Street onto Chancery Lane
• The remainder of the seating along Chancery Lane
• The old street lighting columns wereremoved and the new lights connected.

From 3 August the central area of Crown Court Yard, in addition to Tammy Hall Street and Chancery Lane, was re-opened for public use.

Public Use

Pedestrian access is open from Lee Street, King Street, Wood Street and George and Crown Yard.  

All car parking has been removed from Tammy Hall Street, Chancery Lane and Crown Court Yard with vehicle entry from Wood Street for access and deliveries.

The square is already being used by local people throughout the day for eating their sandwiches, taking time out, or walking through and stopping to admire the sculpture.

The square has received positive feedback and comments from members of the public and local businesses

Before

 

After

 

Crown Court Yard Opening Event

The successful official opening event for Wakefield's new Crown Court Yard took place on Thursday 25 October, with Cllr Denise Jeffery officially opening the square at 11 am.

The event was attended by members of the public, invited guests and representatives of Jackson Civil Engineering and RedStar construction who carried out the construction work on the Council’s behalf.

People joined in the celebrations throughout the day enjoying the homemade cakes and refreshments provided by Wakefield based social enterprise, Catering Plus. They were also entertained by Faceless Theatre whose Green Man and Intrepid Explorer engaged with people and drew them into the area.

Over 200 people helped celebrate the event, many of which already use the area for having their lunch, meeting friends or taking time out from their busy day.