Licence to Alter Review for Climbing Wall Rebuild
Project Overview
- Project: Dolphin Centre, Poole – Climbing Wall Rebuild (“Clip Up”)
- Client: Legal & General (via Savills)
- Scope: Licence to Alter (LTA) Structural Review
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Overview
As part of the revitalisation of the Dolphin Centre in Poole, a tenant proposed converting existing squash courts into a new climbing facility. This change of use required structural alterations, including the installation of climbing wall frames and the demolition of internal masonry partitions.
Graham Garner and Partners Limited (GGP) were appointed by the landlord, Legal & General, to act as the reviewing engineer. Our role was to evaluate the tenant’s proposals and assess whether the planned works—specifically the demolition and new point loads—aligned with the structural integrity requirements of the main building fabric.
Our Approach
We undertook a technical review of the documentation provided by the tenant’s design team, which included structural reports, business proposals, and architectural plans. Our objective was to audit the tenant’s structural assumptions and identify any risks to the landlord’s asset.
Key Review Findings
- Structural Integrity of Climbing Walls
The tenant’s proposal involved fixing climbing structures directly to the existing plastered brick walls surrounding the squash courts. We reviewed the assessment of these walls and concurred that the data indicated they were suitable for the proposed mechanical and chemical resin fixings.
- Demolition Validation
The third-party design called for the removal of a masonry partition wall between Courts 1 and 2, as well as the partial removal of a timber mezzanine floor.
- Partition Removal: We reviewed the proposal to remove the masonry wall, noting that lateral stability is to be provided by the existing steel frame columns rather than the partition itself.
- Mezzanine Alterations: We reviewed the calculations demonstrating that removing specific mezzanine bays was feasible and maintained the stability of the retained structure.
- Load Capacity Verification
A primary concern for any climbing centre is the additional load applied to the existing structure. Our review indicated that the existing roof and floor structures appeared to possess adequate capacity to support the proposed climbing wall frames and associated loadings within their original design parameters.
- Conflict Identification
During a review of the 3D SketchUp models versus the 2D architectural plans, we identified a discrepancy regarding a proposed “future mezzanine”. The positioning appeared to conflict with current drawings, and we requested detailed calculations and an assessment of the existing support to determine if this future addition would be viable.
The Outcome
Our review concluded that, subject to the clarification of the “future mezzanine” details, the proposed alterations were not expected to negatively impact the main structural elements of the Dolphin Centre. By providing this technical assurance, we enabled the landlord to proceed with the Licence to Alter process, facilitating the delivery of the new facility while safeguarding the technical interests of the property.
Disclaimer: The information provided in these articles is for general interest and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional structural engineering advice. Every project is unique. You should always consult a qualified Structural Engineer for site-specific advice before undertaking any construction work.
