When the building calls the shots: Connolly Scaffolding at Haigh Hall
When Connolly Scaffolding took on the project at Grade II listed Haigh Hall, a historic country house in Wigan, they knew from the outset that the building itself would dictate the terms and that conventional approaches would not be enough.
The constraints were significant from the start. English Heritage requirements meant that no physical ties into the structure were permitted, removing one of the most fundamental tools available to any scaffolding contractor. With that option off the table, Connolly developed a Buttressed Restraint and Ballast Support system, using more than 100 IBC ballast tanks to provide the kentledge needed to keep the scaffold stable while leaving the building's fabric completely untouched.
A key element of the project was the construction of the Altrix Roof System, a structure of considerable scale that introduced a series of complex engineering challenges.
Buttress supports tripled the overall scaffold length, and precise load transference was essential to maintain stability throughout. The exposed location of Haigh Hall added further complexity, with the scaffold needing to withstand substantial wind loads from all directions. Connolly addressed this through an elaborate spine beam arrangement that transferred loads at the roof apex and prevented structural buckling.
The interior presented its own set of challenges. Scaffolding had to be installed without imposing any loads on the building's original fixtures, ornate mouldings, plasterwork or decorative features. Bespoke scaffold designs were developed to centralise loads while maintaining safe access and preserving the aesthetics that make Haigh Hall so significant. The basement areas, a complex network of tunnels, walkways and small rooms, required close collaboration with the Principal Contractor to identify suitable areas for back-propping.
Hidden voids, basement alcoves and below-ground services made ballast positioning a significant challenge throughout, requiring constant problem-solving and adaptability from the team on the ground.
The success of the project was built on a fully integrated team approach, from Construction Director through to onsite supervisors and operatives, supported by close collaboration with Buckley Design Solutions. Their involvement was instrumental in translating complex design concepts into practical, safe and effective scaffold solutions that met the demands of this exceptional building.
Haigh Hall is exactly the kind of project that demonstrates why technical expertise, engineering discipline and a commitment to heritage matter so much in scaffolding. It is also a compelling illustration of what NASC members are capable of delivering when a project demands the very best.