Strategic designs to deliver a cost-efficient build

Rural Solutions provided detailed design services for a new community sports hub in North Yorkshire, at the home of Skipton Cricket Club and Skipton Juniors Football Club.

North Yorkshire County Council committed funding to the project under a Section 106 agreement from the National Planning Policy Framework, which permits development under the condition that the project takes measures to reduce its impact on the community.

The agreement, in turn, allows the hub to support and facilitate various community sports in one location, and encourages joint working across various local groups.

Objective

To deliver a new contemporary style 380m2 sports hub facility for the local community, suitable for all seasons, and designed using a cost-effective method, with low running costs.

Approach

Ensuring the design and build were highly cost-effective was at the centre of the project. A modern method of construction was used, which involved timber SIPS panels and elements of steel frame to create the building’s main structure in an economical fashion.

The use of large structurally insulated panels helped to improve the construction speed, thermal performance and air tightness. The use of these panels had the added benefit of being sourced and fabricated locally by specialist supplier SIPS@Clays.

To support the requirement of low operational and running costs, the build incorporated underfloor heating, an air source heat pump, solar panels and low energy lighting into the design.

Despite the cost-effective requirements, the design did not compromise on its visual appearance, ensuring a unique and attractive piece of architecture was achieved.

Skipton Community Sports Hub was completed in the summer of 2024, with an official launch in June 2025. The new building is four times larger than the original one.

Since the facility opened its doors, it has been host to a variety of local sporting activities, and has taken advanced bookings for a wide range of community events demonstrating its success and appropriateness for the local area.