Waterhead Carpark Toilet Building Redesign

Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) invite architects to submit tenders for the design and related planning submission of a replacement public toilet block in the Waterhead Carpark, Ambleside.

The architect will be expected to submit a fixed fee proposal for the outline design and have capacity to deliver the design by mid Summer 2026 and complete the planning application by the Autumn 2026.

The current building houses a small shop and public toilet facilities. The building is no longer fit for purpose and LDNPA wish to replace this with a new building in the carpark.

We propose that the new building should contain multiple individual unisex toilets with enough room for changing for activities on the lake. There should also be accessible toilets available. There will be a charge to use the toilets inline with the existing facilities.

We are considering options for the space, so the design should consider whether to keep a shop/kiosk at the location. The design should also consider including a 'Changing Places Toilet', Changing Places Toilets. We would suggest the planning application should include these, even if they are not initially included in the eventual build.

The building design should take into account the historic and natural environment it sits in and be sympathetic to the surrounding buildings. This should include the design of the building along with materials used.

Wherever possible, carbon implications should be considered and should consider LDNPA's Net Zero aims. This could include using solar to heat the water, utilising materials from the existing building, or other low carbon features.

We are expecting a range of options within the design, with recommendations from the architect. Cost/value for money of the eventual build should be considered in the design.