The Moat Lane Regeneration focuses on development of a backland area just behind Towcester’s main street. Working with Urban Delivery, studio | REAL was commissioned to draw up a detailed physical masterplan and design code for the area for outline planning approval. The masterplan area has abundant hidden potential: views over historic parkland to the north, a Norman castle mound at its centre, a medieval development pattern and the distinctive character of historic ironstone buildings. The challenge was to devise a masterplan layout which extends the urban pattern of pedestrian lanes from the main street, creating opportunities for new retail and café frontages and for new community and employment space.
The overall development approach has been to ‘retain and refurbish’ existing building stock wherever possible, integrating old and new. This has entailed very detailed consideration of each of the many land ownerships in the area, and studio | REAL has been closely involved in the process of land assembly and negotiation. The project is backed by West Northants Development Corporation to provide essential investment in the town centre, ready for a major phase of housing growth in the town. The whole project has been undertaken with very close cooperation between the consulting team and the local authority partners.
Client
South Northamptonshire District Council
Scope
Town Centre Regeneration
Location
Towcester, Northamptonshire
Status
Ongoing
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