Modern cantilevered building near a lake with people jogging, biking, and kayaking.

Hollybush Lakes

Location: Hollybush Lakes, Aldershot, UK

Client: Drayparks Limited

Scale: 21 floating lodges and amenities (2000sqm), Sports Centre (1750 sqm), Equestrian Centre (2750sqm)

Cost: £12 million

Design Team:
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Lead Architects: BACA architects
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Landscape Architects: Aspect Landscape
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Ecology / BNG: Aspect Ecology
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Planning Consultant: Bell Cornwell
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BREEAM: Scott White and Hookins
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Annual CO2 emissions: BREEAM rating 'Very Good'

World map with a blue location marker on the southwestern part of the United Kingdom.

Background

We have secured full planning permission for an ambitious aqua sports leisure park, hospitality venue and visitor attraction in the Blackwater Valley near Farnborough.

Covering 16 hectares, of which 9 hectares are water, the site lies in flood zones 2 and 3 and was previously a mineral-extraction facility and car breakers yard, being wrapped in a 5-6m high earth bund to visually and acoustically screen the former industrial site.

By combining ambitions for eco-tourism with high-quality design, ecological restoration and leisure innovation, we can convert a degraded industrial site into a vibrant destination that delivers social, environmental and economic value.

Aerial view of a series of four interconnected lakes near urban residential areas, industrial buildings, and a highway interchange.
Architectural scale model featuring blue water bodies, white buildings, roads, and clusters of trees.
Watercolor sketch of a modern waterside building with people walking along a grassy path by a blue river under a partly cloudy sky.
Modern building with a cantilevered upper level facing a lake where people kayak, swim, and sit on a wooden dock beneath scattered orange buoys.
3D model of a land area with water bodies, elevated green zones indicating flood risk, and black sound wave icons showing noise from a tree line.
3D site model showing a central water tower surrounded by green terraces and bordered by blue water bodies and clusters of trees.
3D landscape model showing a re-sculpted area highlighted in green with surrounding blue water bodies and white tree clusters.
3D site model showing Aqua Sport Centre with a green bio solar roof, surrounding green spaces, water bodies, and trees, with sun path indicated.
3D site model showing a central building with green rooftop, surrounding green pathways, clusters of trees, water bodies, and miniature human figures.
3D architectural model of a modern building complex surrounded by water and trees with small human figures on walkways and a dock.
Colored site plan showing lakes, roads, and facilities including improved parking, seasonal water sports, sports aqua center, equestrian stabling, floating fishing lodges, improved fishing facilities, and reopening of a public footpath.

Process

We focused on the concept of an aquatic sports centre alongside floating holiday lodges and restorative ecology.

Retaining and enhancing the existing fishing facilities, we introduced an extensive programme of water-based activities such as kayaking, boating, open-water swimming and a seasonal inflatable assault course.

The existing earth bund from the prior mineral site was repurposed to define the equestrian centre and to anchor the sports centre’s cantilever form. Our design also incorporated floating holiday lodges, 21 lake-front units clustered to capitalise on water views and eco-tourism positioning.

Partnering with ecological specialists, we have committed to an ecological net gain of 12.45% for habitats and 277% for linear features.

This ensures the project is as focused on nature regeneration as on leisure-destination creation.

Modern cantilevered building near a lake with people jogging, biking, and kayaking.

Architecture:
Floating Lodges

The 21 floating lodges, sited on the southernmost lake, are designed to a high standard of specification and arranged to minimise visual impact while delivering direct water access. Having their own associated parking facilities to the south of the site, they will retain the use of the lakes as a premier fishing facility.

The restoration of the central lake into a pond and wetland system introduces new reed beds and margins at three locations, improving biodiversity and ecological connectivity.

The built environment has been BREEAM pre-assessed at ‘Very Good’, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability. Through this holistic combination of leisure, ecology and architecture, Hollybush Lakes offers a compelling model of how a lakeside leisure park can operate as a regenerative destination rather than simply a development.

Aerial view of floating lodges on a calm body of water surrounded by trees, with icons above representing fishing, aquatic plants, and floating houses.
Modern floating lodges on a calm lake reflecting the blue sky and surrounding autumn trees.
Equestrian center with riders on horses inside a fenced riding arena and a stable building in the background, surrounded by greenery and flowers.
Equestrian rider in formal attire riding a dark brown horse on a sand arena with autumn trees in the background.
Modern sports center with angular design beside a lake where children play on floating obstacles and birds fly overhead.
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