Brief

Belton House, a National Trust property in Lincolnshire, approached us following the restoration of their unique and picturesque boathouse. Their vision was to offer punting experiences on the river, starting from this historic site. However, as the boathouse is a listed structure, strict conservation restrictions meant the project needed to adapt.

Initially, Belton House envisioned a floating pontoon to provide access to the punts. However, due to restrictions prohibiting any alterations to the boathouse’s concrete floor or attaching structures directly to it, this approach was deemed unworkable. The project’s focus shifted to providing a practical and sensitive solution to allow visitors to access punts safely while preserving the heritage and natural beauty of the area.

Solution

The final solution involved replacing an existing jetty with a new, purpose-designed structure that met the project’s goals. We designed and installed a durable aluminium jetty and step set, complete with a walkway decked and clad in kiln-dried oak. To ensure safety, anti-slip inserts were integrated into the design.

This approach allowed us to create a solution that was not only functional but also harmonious with the natural and historic surroundings. The materials were chosen for their longevity, low-maintenance requirements, and aesthetic compatibility with the park. Special care was taken during installation to protect the roots of nearby protected trees, ensuring minimal impact on the environment.

The design also worked around a historic jetty stone that could not be moved or modified. Although the original stone was insufficient for punt access, our custom design accommodated its presence.

Challenges

This project presented several unique challenges:

• Heritage Restrictions: The listed status of the boathouse imposed strict limits on what could be altered or attached, ruling out the floating pontoon concept.
• Environmental Sensitivity: The proximity of protected trees required careful planning to avoid damaging their root systems during installation.
• Site Constraints: The existing jetty stone had to remain in place and unaltered, which required innovative design solutions to integrate it into the new structure.
• Aesthetic Considerations: The design needed to be in keeping with the historical and natural character of the property while meeting modern accessibility and durability standards.

Despite these complexities, the resulting jetty not only achieved the goal of enabling punting access but also enhanced the area with a structure that respects and complements its surroundings.