At Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding, we are proud to present our most ambitious and rewarding project to date: the full temporary access and protection works for St. John’s Hall in Penzance. A Grade II listed civic landmark, this grand 1867 building required an equally considered and sensitive scaffolding solution—one that combined engineering innovation, sustainability, and the highest safety standards.
Serving as home to the Council Offices, Penzance Library, The Royal Geological Society, and hosting major public events like the Golowan Festival, St. John’s Hall is central to the social and economic life of the region. The stakes were high: our solution had to be heritage sensitive yet resilient enough to support vital restoration works across all elevations and the entire 1600m² roof.
Project Scope & Initial Challenges
Initially, our client T.E.C. Construction required scaffolding for access to:
- All elevations
- Window refurbishment
- Pointing and stonework
- Solar panel installation
- Roof covering repairs
As works progressed, the scope evolved to include a temporary roof structure that spanned 1600m²—a considerable challenge due to the building’s size and the fragility of a central glass roof incapable of bearing load.
Engineering Solutions & Collaboration
One continuous roof system was unviable. Instead, we collaborated with Raptor Designs to create two temporary roofs joined by a 40-metre central box gutter.
Because the gutter spanned a fragile glass atrium, we engineered a bespoke bridge between load-bearing structural walls to safely support rainwater drainage. This system was vital during unprecedented extreme weather—from Storm Ciaran to rare snowfall in Cornwall—stress-testing the design under live conditions.
Safe & Efficient Construction at Scale
- Total scaffold weight: 90.38 tonnes
- Crane: Sourced from Devon via King Lifting due to local capacity limits
- Groundworks: We sectioned off a viable area to support 200 tonnes from the crane
To reduce risk and time at height:
- Spine beams and roof frames were pre-assembled at ground level
- Operations occurred in designated non-pedestrian zones
- Crane lifts (requiring precise weather conditions) were coordinated with site evacuation and safety briefings
It took 10 scaffolders, 1.5 days, and 6 lorry-loads of kit to lift and install the roof frame, showcasing the value of pre-planning and expert teamwork.
Safety-First Innovation
Safety remained paramount, with the following innovations:
- Custom runway tracking system for 2000kg leadwork transport
- Isolated hot works zone to mitigate fire risks
- Flue routing through the temporary roof to ensure continuous heating operations
Despite complexity and scale, zero incidents were recorded throughout the project.
Heritage-Sensitive Approach
Working on a listed structure demanded tailored strategies:
- Reduced tie usage to protect masonry
- Bespoke bridging systems protected delicate features
- Weatherproofing ensured water was safely diverted away from vulnerable parts of the structure
The outcome was not only protective but respectful of this civic treasure’s architectural significance.
Phased Delivery & Community Impact
To accommodate council use, staff occupancy, public access, and even a wedding requesting no scaffolding in photos, the project was delivered in carefully timed phases:
• Phase 1: Main Scaffold completed – June 2023
• Phase 2: Temporart Roof completed – February 2024
• Phase 3 – Rolling tracking system and Lead works April 2024
• Cleared Site – September 2024
Skills Development & Sustainability
This project became a training ground for future advanced scaffolders:
- 5 team members gained critical experience and NVQ evidence towards Advanced Scaffolder status
Environmental benefits included:
- Depot proximity: Just 1.9 miles, reducing travel emissions
- Use of biofuel and locally sourced labour
- Recycling of damaged netting and boards into kindling
- Aligned with our Net Zero Carbon Roadmap
Telling the Story from Above
We commissioned local drone specialist The Drone Man to capture aerial footage, showcasing the engineering and civic importance of the work. These images were shared on social media and received widespread praise for their transparency and insight into the project’s community value.
Client Feedback
“Your guys are just as good if not better than the leading scaffolders I worked with in London. Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding has been extremely professional throughout. The commitment, planning, and engineering excellence—especially around the top hat structure and central gutter—were second to none.”
– T.E.C Construction
Conclusion
St. John’s Hall exemplifies the very best in modern scaffolding—technical precision, heritage sensitivity, environmental awareness, and workforce development. It not only safeguarded a vital community asset during extreme conditions but pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in temporary access for listed buildings.
We are honoured to nominate it as our Project of the Year 2025 and so grateful that we have been shortlisted by the NASC