Leicester architect wins place on city’s £85m mixed-use scheme

Leicester-based architectural practice, rg+p has been appointed in a multi-disciplinary capacity on the city’s major new sustainable urban extension scheme, Ashton Green.

The firm has been retained as architects, master planners, urban designers, planning consultants and landscape architects on phase two of the project, which will deliver 305 residential dwellings. rg+p will work alongside Leicester City Council and developer, Kier Living to deliver the £85m scheme.

Ashton Green is the biggest mixed-use development in the city for more than 30 years and includes up to 3,000 new homes together with community and health facilities, employment land, retail space and approximately 13 acres of green open space and wildlife corridors.

James Badley, director at rg+p, said: “Ashton Green is a not only a landmark scheme for Leicester but also for our practice. The development sits within a wider urban design framework created by Leicester City Council and our philosophy embraces this approach, allowing the green space and wildlife corridors to flow into the scheme. Our design includes different character areas that specifically reference Leicester’s heritage and these are being distilled to a design code that will deliver a fresh architectural response and interpretation.”

Phase two at Ashton Green will see both private residential and affordable housing created, including a mix of one and two bedroom apartments as well as two to five bedroom homes.

Work is estimated to commence on site in spring 2019.