Changing Places Case Study: Howden Town Council

Written by Pat McMahon
July 24, 2023

In 2018, Howden Town Council had a vision to bring a Changing Places toilet (CPT) to the town. Inspired by residents with lived experience of disability, the council team understood the importance of Changing Places, and how far people had to travel to access them.

COVID hindered progress, but thanks to part-funding from East Riding Council via the government’s Changing Places programme, Howden’s first CPT was registered on Changing Places Awareness Day (19th July 2023) and is now open to the public.

Value Engineered

Following a competitive tender process, RISE was awarded the project as principal contractor to design and build an extension to the existing public toilet facilities on Charles Briggs Avenue.

Having identified ways to value engineer the structure and enhance the internal specification, we submitted a revised planning application on the council’s behalf to tweak the design. Once planning was granted and funds were in place, we commenced works onsite in late March.

Complications arose with initial excavations uncovering a wealth of unforeseen obstacles, but these issues were quickly resolved within the time contingency built into our programme. Groundworks were complete by week three, with foundations laid and all services prepped, and the project was smooth sailing from that point onwards.

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“Outstanding Communication”

The building is finished in white render and a tiled pitched roof. All external materials, including bricks, custom timber door, and aluminium rainwater goods, were carefully chosen to compliment the adjoining structure and adhere to conservation requirements.

Inside features leading specialist equipment from Pressalit and Guldmann, anti-slip flooring, premium hygienic wall panelling and custom feature wall graphics, with natural light flooding the interior via sun tunnels.

All building works were complete within eight-weeks, with the RISE team providing regular client update, as Sarah Boggitt, Town Clerk at Howden Town Council, explains:

“Communication from the outset was outstanding. We were kept informed all along the way with regular updates and nothing was too much trouble. It wasn’t the easiest project with problems with the land and lease, RISE rose to the challenge alongside us and a good working collaboration was formed.”

Perfect For Holiday Makers

This CPT is a great example of government funds being put to great use and is testament to the council team’s determination to make it happen – driven by councillor Hannah Pears, who has relentlessly championed and fundraised for this project from the outset.

Not only, will the facility benefit Howden residents, it’s perfectly placed for holiday makers with complex needs planning to make a trip to the East coast.

“We are proud to have such an important facility in our town,” concludes Sarah. “The location of Howden, right off the M62 motorway and on the important coastal road, provides an excellent spot for the facility. Plus, all the lovely amenities our town has to offer that we hope people will take advantage of.”

For further information about Changing Places or to schedule a free consultation, please get in touch.