Designs have been revealed for the structure at RSPB Bempton Cliffs
Artist’s impression of the new Grandstand Wildlife Viewing Gallery for RSPB Bempton Cliffs(Image: structureHaus)
The RSPB has today (Wednesday, October 7) revealed concept designs and launched a new fundraising appeal – Make A Grandstand for Nature – to help create a new wildlife viewing gallery at RSPB Bempton Cliffs on the East Yorkshire coast. Conditional planning approval has been granted by East Riding Council.
The new appeal aims to raise £85,000 towards plans for a spectacular new “grandstand” viewing gallery and improved pathways, helping future generations continue to experience unforgettable close-up encounters with the reserve’s internationally important seabird colony. Increasingly wet winters and east coast cliff-top erosion means the existing grandstand viewpoint needs to be replaced.
The ambition is not simply to replace it, however, but to create something new: a beautifully designed wildlife viewing gallery that sits harmoniously within this extraordinary landscape just north of Bridlington and safeguards access for generations to come. Award-winning design and engineering company, structureHaus, has been appointed to now create more detailed designs with tendering for construction due to happen in January next year.
Dave O’Hara, senior reserve manager, RSPB Bempton Cliffs, said: “Bempton Cliffs is one of those places that stays with people forever. Standing on the cliff edge surrounded by thousands of seabirds is an unforgettable experience and for many visitors it’s their first real connection with nature on this scale. Increasing erosion along the cliff top means we now need to act to protect the future of this incredible viewpoint.
“Our vision for a new wildlife viewing gallery will not only create better visitor access for all but create an even more immersive and inspiring experience for everyone who comes here.” The new viewing gallery will be the first stage of ambitious plans to transform RSPB Bempton Cliffs into the UK’s leading centre for seabird and marine monitoring and eco-tourism.
The fundraising appeal will support more detailed design work for the grandstand structure as well as the next stages of development, helping the RSPB to secure additional funding through other channels. Developing new structures at the top of 400m-high chalk cliffs — while carefully protecting one of the UK’s busiest seabird colonies — presents unique engineering and conservation challenges.
With nearly 40 years’ experience as a structural engineer, David Phillips, director of structureHaus, said: “We are thrilled to work on this dynamic project for one of Yorkshire’s most loved nature reserves. We are passionate about the relationship between engineering, design, and the natural environment, and how thoughtful structural and architectural solutions can create a sustainable and lasting impact on both the built and natural worlds.”
The new grandstand will be cantilevered and based on hidden piled foundations with reinforced concrete ground beams, to take into account future cliff erosion and ensure the platform remains safely in place for many years to come. Geotechnical advice by Red Rock Geoscience has been central in developing the structural concept design with extensive risk assessment reporting and investigation undertaken.
Brigitte Mandt, principal architect for the project, structureHaus, said: “This challenging and exciting project has demonstrated the clear benefits of in house collaboration between architect and engineer and early concept engagement with the RSPB, and I’m delighted our designs have been chosen to be taken to the next stage. Our aim is to ensure the viewpoint sits harmoniously in the site, so that it melts into the landscape, blending in with the actual shape of the cliffs and natural environment. It will offer more perspectives and views for everyone to enjoy.”
By using a transparent balustrade and stainless-steel mesh, the viewing gallery will also provide a larger perimeter area meaning greater access for all. Protecting the wildlife and habitats at Bempton Cliffs will be central to the design and construction process, with work carefully planned to minimise disturbance.
Dave said: “While creating a new grandstand comes with challenges, we’re excited to share some of the early designs and hope our new appeal attracts the support it really needs. As well as offering a world-class visitor experience the new viewing gallery will play a crucial part in our citizen science, a place where volunteers monitor the seabirds.
“Public support will help us unlock further funding to help take the project forward. Bempton Cliffs offers the most accessible opportunity in the UK to experience the wonder of a seabird colony.
“Our seabirds continue to face huge pressures, from climate change and warming seas to food shortages and disturbance, so inspiring people to care about nature has never been more important.” Each year around half-a-million seabirds gather on the towering chalk cliffs at Bempton to breed, creating one of the UK’s greatest wildlife spectacles.
More than 120,000 visitors visit the reserve annually to witness the sights and sounds of thousands of puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, fulmars and gannets crowding the dramatic cliff faces. People can support the Bempton Cliffs via its JustGiving fundraising appeal page and it is hoped construction will begin in autumn 2027.
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