CQS Solutions provided Quantity Surveying and cost consultancy services for the restoration of the historic Walled Garden at Picton Castle in Pembrokeshire. The £817,269 project involved the renovation of the Walled Garden and associated buildings within the historic estate, with works completed in June 2021.
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project required careful commercial management to balance conservation objectives, the available funding and the practical challenges of delivering construction work within an active heritage visitor attraction. CQS Solutions provided cost planning, budget development, procurement and tender support, cost reporting, valuations, risk and contingency management throughout the project.
Working within the enclosed Walled Garden presented particular challenges around access and public use, while the historic fabric required a conservation-led approach. Ecological considerations also formed an important part of the project. The site supported protected bat species, with licensing and monitoring requirements associated with the renovation works.
CQS Solutions worked closely with the Trust and wider design team to ensure that heritage and ecological considerations were reflected in project budgets, procurement and cost control. Risk and contingency allowances helped manage uncertainty, while ongoing cost reporting supported informed decisions as the restoration progressed.
The completed project successfully restored an important part of the Picton Castle estate while balancing heritage conservation, affordability and the long-term visitor experience. The project demonstrates CQS Solutions’ experience providing Quantity Surveying and cost consultancy services for heritage restoration and National Lottery Heritage Fund projects in Wales, particularly where existing historic fabric, ecological constraints and grant funding requirements must be carefully managed.