A specialist stonemasonry business, Wolds Workshop, has submitted plans to establish an educational heritage centre near the village of Full Sutton, aiming to address the skills shortages in the heritage building sector. The proposed facility will be situated off Hatskill Lane, on a site owned by the workshop, and seeks to transform existing buildings at its White Hill workspace located on the former RAF Full Sutton site.
The plans, which have been presented to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, include the construction of a new workshop. Wolds Workshop previously initiated renovations in 2018, but progress halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the business consolidated its operations to navigate the economic downturn.
In collaboration with York’s Studio Tamacoco Architects, refreshed proposals aim to optimize the use of the existing structures while honoring the site’s RAF heritage. According to the documents submitted to the council, Wolds Workshop stated, “Lockdown restrictions and economic impacts of the pandemic provided an opportunity for Wolds Workshop to develop its research activities and its educational and training interests.”
The firm emphasized that the pandemic period allowed it to enhance its environmental agenda and solidify its commitment to delivering conservation skills training. The revised plans are essential for Wolds Workshop to effectively provide its services and meet the evolving needs of the heritage building sector.
The new commercial workshop will include designated areas for masons and carvers, as well as spaces for apprentice masons and storage for tools and materials. The heritage training centre is expected to occupy the northern half of the compound, featuring lecture spaces, practical workshop rooms, and welfare facilities.
Wolds Workshop also indicated that the heritage centre may operate as a charitable organization. Additionally, an existing small building on the northern boundary of the site will be repurposed into an office for managing the centre.
The organization noted, “Our workshop is committed to perpetuating heritage skills through the training of apprentices and our outreach programme.” By enhancing the workshop’s capacity, Wolds Workshop aims to better support the heritage building sector, which is currently facing significant challenges.
The initiative emphasizes community engagement, with plans to collaborate with various local educational institutions in the East Riding and York region. Wolds Workshop aims to develop an inclusive learning environment that accommodates the interests of the wider community.
The proposal marks a significant step towards strengthening the heritage skills workforce and ensuring the preservation of traditional practices within the building sector. As the plans progress, Wolds Workshop is poised to make a meaningful impact on both local employment and the conservation of heritage crafts.
