Reconnecting Northampton with nature

We are thrilled to have been selected, alongside the preferred development partner Cityheart,by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), to transform two key sites on the edge of Northampton’s historic core.

The Four Waterside and Marefair sites represent a unique opportunity to reconnect the historic town centre with the waterside environment of the river Nene, creating a pedestrian-friendly gateway into Northampton that reflects the wider ambitions to increase connectivity and transform the town.

Director Jack Pritchard explains: “With a history of manufacturing and making, and a growing cultural quarter, our proposals seek to continue the transformation of Northampton. By reconnecting Northampton’s historic core with its natural surroundings and residential neighbourhoods, we can start to repair the damage of post-war car-based urbanism and create a sustainable model for urban living—emphasising high-quality, family-orientated public spaces.

“Critical to this will be addressing natural and physical barriers that almost completely sever pedestrian movement to the town centre from the Nene Valley. By focusing on active travel our proposals will open up new pedestrian routes to the river Nene and celebrate views of historic landmarks that are so important to the identity of the town.”

We will act as lead architect and masterplanner for the project with a team that includes Studio Layer, Curtins, Turley, Ridge and Caneparo. The regeneration project is forecast to start on-site in 2025.