Northampton has been identified by the government as a focus for residential growth over the next several years.
In response, public and private sectors organisations are working together to assemble properties in the region to bring forward schemes to meets the growth targets.
Halcrow has been engaged to plan a new community on the site of Upton Lodge and Norwood Farm on the west side of Northampton. The community will be situated beside a new regional highway network - also designed by Halcrow – and will comprise over 2500 homes, a primary school and community facilities, an employment zone and a park & ride facility. In addition, a 40-hectare Country Park is a fundamental component of the scheme and will serve local open space requirements as well as being a regional attraction.
The scheme has been designed to extend the sustainable design standards already established at Upton through the provision of: a sustainable drainage system (SUDS); a local public transport route; a site-wide footpath and cycleway network; and the incorporation of green-roof technology on commercial and public buildings.
A particular challenge to overcome is the rolling topography of the site. The Illustrative Plan and typical cross sections identify a strategy for building the new community along a simple block pattern of streets which follow the topography lines.