Marshall’s Cross Road

Location
St Helens
Client
Livv Housing
Contract Value
c.£4m.
People

The Brief

Marshall’s Cross Road is a £4m development of 32 affordable homes in St Helens, delivered for Livv Housing with Tyson Construction. The Homes England-funded scheme comprises 20 family houses and 12 apartments arranged in a crescent around a landscaped flood-attenuation area.

The project brings a previously unused site into residential use, overcoming significant flooding, access and environmental constraints to create homes overlooking attractive green open space.

Built for lasting value

Simple, contemporary detailing designed for easy maintenance.

Our Role

BTP acted as lead architects developing the initial proposals through to delivery.

We reviewed an existing sketch layout and produced eight alternative designs, exploring how to make the development financially viable while maintaining design quality. Our approach balanced housing density and buildability with the need to protect neighbouring residents’ privacy, retain mature trees and accommodate floodwater safely.

Working closely with the engineers and Tyson Construction, we coordinated the architectural design with substantial changes to site levels, drainage infrastructure and access arrangements.

Innovative design mitigating flood risk

We arranged the homes in a crescent around a central flood-attenuation basin, integrating essential drainage infrastructure with landscaped open space.

Design Development

Almost half the site lay within Flood Zone 3, making flood management central to the design. Working with the engineers, we developed a layout around a large basin sized to accommodate floodwater if the existing culverted watercourse became blocked. A separate sustainable drainage pond collects rainwater from hard surfaces and releases it gradually into the watercourse.

These drainage measures shaped the architecture and layout. Houses and apartments follow a crescent around the central landscaped space, giving homes an open outlook while integrating essential infrastructure into the residential setting. Wildflowers and grasses bring ecological value to the flood-storage area.

The steeply sloping ground required significant cut-and-fill works and substantial retaining walls to create a suitable development platform. A new access road was carefully coordinated with existing access to the rear of neighbouring properties and retained trees near the site boundary.

The layout also responded to overlooking from surrounding homes, invasive plant species and neighbouring hospital and industrial uses. Building positions and orientation helped address these constraints while providing natural surveillance over the new development and existing rear alley.

Highly insulated timber-frame construction helps reduce energy demand and residents’ running costs. Simple, contemporary elevations avoid unnecessary additions and complex detailing, supporting straightforward maintenance and lower costs over the buildings’ lifetime.

Unlocking a constrained site

Creating the ground for development

We worked closely with engineers to create a developable plateau through substantial cut-and-fill works and carefully coordinated retaining walls. Combined with a central flood-attenuation basin, this approach addressed the steep terrain and flood risk, making the site viable for affordable housing.

Outcomes

The completed development has delivered 44 affordable homes, combining a range of property sizes with two tenure options to meet differing local needs.

A considered approach to scale, materials and layout helps the scheme sit comfortably within its surroundings, while contemporary interiors and landscaped spaces create a welcoming place to live.

Avenue Street contributes to Bolton at Home’s wider programme to deliver 1,400 new homes by 2026, demonstrating how collaboration between a housing provider, contractor and architectural team can expand housing choice within an established community.

Philip Helm

Tyson Construction

“BTP brought a practical, collaborative approach to Avenue Street, working closely with our team to deliver 44 affordable homes. Their attention to design and construction detail helped bring a varied mix of houses and apartments together to create a neighbourhood we’re proud to have built.”

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Director
Manuel Atkinson

BA (Hons), M.Arch, ARB, RIBA, Dip.DEA

Director
Manuel Atkinson

BA (Hons), M.Arch, ARB, RIBA, Dip.DEA

I joined BTP in 2008, qualified as an Architect in 2013, and progressed to Director in 2017. Over my career, I’ve built extensive expertise across the full range of design criteria for housing, later living, and care environments, including HQI, DQS, Lifetime Homes, HAPPI, NDSS, and Building Regulations accessibility standards.

Sustainability is a core part of my professional focus. I am an accredited Energy Assessor for both new-build and existing homes (OCDEA / DEA) as well as a certified Home Quality Mark Assessor and PAS2035 Retrofit Designer / Assessor. Within BTP, I lead many of our sustainability initiatives; developing strategies to help clients realise their ambitions, meet zero-carbon targets, and align with the Future Homes Standard.

Since 2013, I have also played a key role in enhancing BTP’s BIM (Building Information Modelling) capability. I have achieved multiple BRE qualifications, including ISO 19650 accreditation, enabling me to manage BIM processes and workflows effectively across our projects.

In 2024, I joined the RIBA Principal Designer Register, gaining Principal Designer status with High‑Risk Building (HRB) expertise for both CDM and Building Regulations following rigorous training and examination. I now act as Building Regulations Principal Designer across a range of new‑build and refurbishment schemes, providing trusted guidance to clients and development teams.

My advanced knowledge of BIM, sustainability, and the Building Safety Act also sees me deliver regular training, CPD sessions, and workshops for Registered Providers and contractors.
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Architect
Oli Martin

BA(Hons), M.Arch, ARB
Architect
Oli Martin

BA(Hons), M.Arch, ARB

I am an ARB-registered Architect at BTP Architects, primarily working on new-build residential, social housing and extra-care projects. I hold a BA (Hons) and M.Arch from Liverpool John Moores University and joined BTP in 2022, qualifying as an architect in 2024.

My approach is grounded in clarity, proportion and considered design. I am interested in housing that is composed and enduring, architecture that prioritises long-term value and resident wellbeing over fashion or novelty. For me, good residential design is measured, durable and carefully integrated within its wider community.

I am developing in the role of Project Architect and have particular strength in drawing and technical coordination across all RIBA stages. I enjoy the analytical side of projects, testing layouts, refining detail and working through complex requirements to arrive at clear, buildable solutions that respond to both client and community needs. I have also begun contributing to projects involving Higher Risk Buildings, engaging with the evolving regulatory framework and its implications for residential design.

Outside of practice, I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling and listening to podcasts focused on history, politics and wellbeing. I am also a lifelong supporter of Liverpool F.C.
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Architectural Assistant
Dominic Rhodes

BA(Hons)
Architectural Assistant
Dominic Rhodes

BA(Hons)

I joined BTP in September 2024 having graduating from the University of Huddersfield. My previous work with a conservation contractor gave me practical experience on site, including traditional lime mortar repairs at Little Moreton Hall.

Since joining BTP, I’ve worked on projects ranging from new-build housing to a major re-roofing scheme at the Grade II-listed Bootle Town Hall. I’m continuing to build my experience while studying part-time for my master’s degree at the University of Lincoln.

Outside of the office, I enjoy going to the gym, playing golf and padel, as well as listening to vinyls from my ever-growing collection.