In 1997 Caradon District Council in Cornwall invited us to examine the feasibility of building an arts centre on the site of a dismantled gas holder in Looe, a small fishing port. The centre would be a key element in the Council's tourism strategy. We asked Buro Happold, consulting engineers and Gleeds, quantity surveyors to join us.

Our study concluded that while an arts centre on the site was technically feasible it was not the best available. The site was relatively small and there would be problems of access. It was also hidden behind a yacht chandlers and a car park. We came to the conclusion that a better site would be on the water's edge and this became the preferred option.The green square in the above photograph shows the original site. Our proposed site is marked by the yellow cross.

We also came to the conclusion that while an arts centre offering the usual mix of live performance and film would attract the very large number of tourists who visit Looe and the surrounding area in the summer it would be difficult to sustain throughout the year. What was needed was a centre which would satisfy local needs and have a steady stream of visitors outside the tourist season.

The town library had only 130m2 of space and could not fulfil the ambitions of the County library service. We therefore proposed moving the library into the centre together with an IT room, an auditorium for live performance and cinema, exhibition space, studios, meeting rooms, a Tourist Information Centre, a crèche and a café/restaurant and bar. The centre would link with local schools, the County youth and adult education service. We proposed that the building should be an outstanding example of modern design, be cost effective, environmentally friendly and capable of being adapted to changing needs and demands.

We researched the market and drew up a detailed programme, a management structure and a business plan. We evaluated the contribution to local regeneration and demonstrated how the project would create jobs before, during and after construction and the multiplier effect of increased spending on the local economy when the centre was up and running. We also urged that the project should be incorporated into a regional development proposal and be an integral part of Cornwall's ERDF Objective One strategy.

We produced two reports: a feasibility study and a technical assessment. Our technical assessment included consultation with the Environment Agency about the implications of building close to a flood plain. Our consultations indicated the need for a comprehensive design approach.

At the time Cornwall’s ERDF strategy was being developed and the RDA had only recently been set up. With a capital cost of between £5.5 and £6 million the District Council came to the conclusion that it would be unable to support the project, however desirable it might be.