A specialist stonemasonry business, Wolds Workshop, has submitted plans to establish an educational heritage centre near the village of Full Sutton, aiming to address skills shortages in the heritage building sector. Located off Hatskill Lane, the proposed facility will enhance the existing site currently owned by Wolds Workshop, situated on the former RAF Full Sutton grounds.
The plans, presented to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, include modifications to existing buildings and the construction of a new workshop. Wolds Workshop previously initiated construction on a workshop in 2018; however, the project stalled due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has since consolidated its operations to navigate the economic challenges posed by the crisis.
With the assistance of Studio Tamacoco Architects from York, Wolds Workshop aims to optimize the use of its current buildings while honoring the site’s historical significance. In a statement included in the planning documents, Wolds Workshop noted, “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 revised plans emphasize a commitment to environmental sustainability and conservation skills training. As the business began to stabilize post-pandemic, Wolds Workshop recognized the need to adapt its previous proposals to better serve its educational objectives.
The new commercial workshop buildings are designed to provide dedicated spaces for masons and carvers, including areas for apprentices, as well as storage for tools and materials. The heritage training centre, which is expected to occupy the northern part of the site, will feature lecture spaces, practical workshop rooms, and welfare areas for students and staff.
Wolds Workshop intends for the heritage centre to operate as a charitable organization, further emphasizing its outreach initiatives. An existing small building on the northern boundary of the site will be transformed into an office dedicated to managing the centre’s operations.
In their proposal, the firm stated, “Our workshop is committed to perpetuating heritage skills through the training of apprentices and our outreach programme.” The development aims to respond to the pressing needs of the heritage building sector, which has faced significant challenges in recent years.
Moreover, Wolds Workshop plans to engage with the local community and strengthen ties with educational institutions in the East Riding and York regions. By expanding its capacity for outreach programmes, the workshop seeks to foster interest in stonemasonry and related skills, ultimately supporting the preservation of cultural heritage.
As the project progresses through the planning stages, Wolds Workshop’s initiative reflects a broader commitment to education and skills development in a sector crucial to maintaining the integrity of historical buildings.
