Application submitted for brownfield regeneration project in Nuneaton town centre
Design practice rg+p has developed proposals to regenerate a brownfield site in Nuneaton town centre on behalf of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.
The application is for 19 family homes and apartments, four live/work units and 800m² office space together with extensive landscaping and a new public realm.
Bridge Street Nuneaton – River Anker view
Ben Walton, rg+p’s design director said: “The impact of the pandemic on town centres across the UK has exacerbated decline and deepened existing problems. Our intention is to reverse this pattern in Nuneaton and provide a sustainable new neighbourhood that will attract residents, business owners and visitors.
“The site’s location adjacent to the riverside presented a real opportunity. Our design principles, therefore, focused on re-establishing pedestrian movement along here together with reconnecting the town centre and memorial gardens by extending the park onto the high street, creating a new gateway and improving overall visibility.”
The proposed homes include a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom layouts with two gateway buildings on Bridge Street and the family homes will overlook a park and the River Anker. As the development is partially located within a conservation area, rg+p says it was essential for the design to draw upon characteristics observed elsewhere in the town centre.
Commercial space in the form of live work and office space is will be along the ground floor to retain an active street frontage. All will exceed minimum National Space Standards.
To further connect the proposed scheme with the George Eliot Memorial Gardens and improve biodiversity, there will be more than 2,000m² of new landscaping. This includes footpaths along the river and linking the new neighbourhood into the wider Riversley Park regeneration plan. To encourage sustainable travel, a limited number of parking spaces with electric vehicle charging points are allocated, and cycle storage is available throughout the development.
Dawn Dawson, director for regeneration and housing at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council said: “This site forms part of the wider Transforming Nuneaton masterplan and we hope it will act as a catalyst for further positive regeneration within the town centre, especially uniting families with local businesses and attractions.
“rg+p’s ambitious design seeks to create a genuine landmark within the townscape, not only in terms of high-quality homes and places of work but in re-establishing our connections with nature and opening the riverside.”
