Following a commission from Havant Borough Council to produce a borough-wide study of public realm and space, studio | REAL were appointed to prepare a framework plan for the town centre. In common with many UK town centres, Havant had experienced a decline in public perception, based on a poor offer, anti-social behaviour and run-down facilities.
The main drive of the framework was to improve linkages, with ideas to modify Park Road to a proper town street with active development edges and to redevelop empty and under-performing town centre sites. Market Parade links the station with the heart of the town centre. It was a tired 1960s development, which extensive public consultation revealed to be much disliked by townspeople. There was strong support for this area to be redeveloped with a 21st century character – enhancing the station precinct, maximising outlooks over the town park and introducing cafés and street spaces to raise activity in the public realm. The masterplan introduced residential accommodation, enlivens ground floor retail uses providing more suitable units for modern operations, introduced landscape enhancements to the park, connects the railway station to the town centre, and identifies the opportunity for a landmark tall building at the centre of the plan. Other sites offered the opportunity to fill gaps in the local economy, such as a hotel to exploit passenger ferry traffic from nearby Portsmouth Harbour.
Client
Havant Borough Council
Scope
Town Centre Regeneration
Location
Havant, Hampshire
Status
Completed 2006
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