Security case study
Cognitious, an Ashridge Group company, carried out a security survey and strategy for Delapré Abbey, a Grade II listed heritage site in Northamptonshire, then wrote a 150-page health and safety policy and procedures manual. The Abbey Trust has used the service on an ongoing basis for two years.
This Grade II listed heritage site in Northamptonshire recently completed a comprehensive renovation programme and is currently used for events, weddings, corporate and private hire. The Abbey is designated in the top 8% of heritage sites and listed by Historic England as a registered battlefield. It has witnessed everything from royal visits and intrigue to technological innovation, world wars and dissolution.
The Abbey needed help and guidance through procedures involved in leasehold occupancy of its land and ongoing support regarding Health & Safety provisions.
Cognitious, an Ashridge Group company, provided security consultancy to identify potential risks so that Delapré Abbey could maintain a safe and secure environment. A security survey was undertaken and a full report provided, followed by a comprehensive security strategy and technical solutions document.
After an extensive consultation, engaging with various stakeholder groups and representatives of the Local Authority, a 150-page Health & Safety Policy was written and compiled into a formal procedures manual. This was made available in both digital and hard copy formats, then supplemented with familiarisation training for the Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust – a charity formed in 2006 to aid Northampton Borough Council with the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the Abbey.
Cognitious also provided ongoing contract client support in Health & Safety matters, including a ‘Competent Person’ designated to act on behalf of the Abbey Trust.
The Abbey has achieved continued success with healthy visitor numbers and many people enjoying the public event-programme.
They have continued to work with and utilise the Cognitious service in an ongoing capacity for two years. For example, a recent review was required for a detailed risk assessment regarding a festive event with specialist equipment. Operating templates were quickly established and this was further supported with continuous communication and advisory conference calls.
At Delapré Abbey it meant a security survey of the site, a security strategy built from it, and a 150-page health and safety policy. Consultancy work of this kind produces documents the client owns and operates themselves, rather than a guarding presence we staff — which is the right answer for some sites and the wrong one for others.
Delapré Abbey is Grade II listed, which constrains what can physically be installed and where. Heritage sites also balance public access against protection of the building and its contents. The survey has to start from what the listing permits rather than from what a modern commercial site would specify.
Yes. The Delapré Abbey engagement produced a 150-page health and safety policy alongside the security strategy. Ashridge Group holds ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety management, which is the framework that work is built on.
Reviewed by Emma Walker, Group Managing Director. Published · updated .
Ashridge Group is SIA ACS approved and holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 accreditation. See all our accreditations
The service
This engagement was delivered by our security team. Read how the service works, what it covers and how it is staffed on our security consultancy page.
The area
We work across Northampton and the surrounding region. See the sites, sectors and services we cover in Northampton.
Further reading
Working out whether this fits your own site? Our guide to what a security risk assessment costs covers the numbers and the standards in more detail.
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