CQS Solutions is playing a key role in supporting the National Trust’s ambitious plans for a new visitor centre and outdoor activity hub at Attingham Park, one of the Trust’s most popular estates. The proposed development forms part of a wider £12 million masterplan designed to enhance visitor experiences while protecting the historic and environmental significance of the Shropshire estate.
The scheme includes the creation of a new visitor centre, a network of multi-use trails for walking, running and cycling, mountain bike skills areas and associated landscaping and infrastructure works. Located partly on the site of the former RAF Atcham WWII airfield, the project requires careful consideration of both heritage and environmental constraints.
CQS Solutions was appointed by the National Trust to provide independent cost consultancy services throughout the project’s development. The team has been responsible for preparing initial cost estimates to support funding applications, developing detailed cost plans, preparing Bills of Quantities and advising on procurement and contractor selection strategies.
One of the project’s most significant challenges emerged during the early design stages when projected costs substantially exceeded the available budget. Working closely with the National Trust and the wider design team, CQS Solutions undertook extensive value engineering exercises and detailed cost analysis to identify savings opportunities without compromising the core objectives of the scheme.
A phased delivery strategy was also developed, dividing the project into 24 separate work packages to align construction activities with available funding and programme priorities. This flexible approach has improved project deliverability while reducing risk and supporting long-term planning for the estate.
Through collaborative working and strategic cost management, CQS Solutions helped identify savings in excess of £6 million, reducing the projected scheme cost from approximately £18 million to £12 million while retaining the key elements of the National Trust’s vision. The project demonstrates the company’s ability to support major heritage, leisure and visitor destination developments through effective cost planning, procurement support and commercial management.