Monday 14 February 2005
CABE applauds Corby town extension proposals
For immediate release

Contact: Jason Hill on 020 7960 2465

The redevelopment plans for the Prior's Hall site in Corby have been assessed by CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.

The town extension project, features more than 5,100 homes, a district centre, two neighbourhood centres, four schools, and a hotel. The Corby Academy, located within the district centre, will provide secondary education.

CABE's Design Review Panel has made the following comments on certain aspects of the proposal; they are intended to be helpful to the design team, developer and local authority as the scheme continues to develop.

Regarding the location, CABE said:

‘The panel found the strategic diagram to expand the town eastwards convincing and believe it will help reinvigorate the current edge of town industrial estate by integrating it with the new community. We were pleased to see the academy come forward as a principal element in the early stages of the framework development. Located in the main centre, which acts as a hub between the new community and the existing town, the academy will be a key element in promoting the integration of the two and giving the principal square a sense of place.

‘We found, at this early stage, the idea of the new urban edge and villages convincing. They are supported by a clear attitude towards the hierarchy of the different areas and the distribution of primary schools, local centres and employment areas. These communities will need to feel part of a whole, part of Corby, and we believe there is a need to make a stronger connection across the gulley, a gesture to strengthen visual and physical connections between the urban and more rural elements. ‘

The architecture of the scheme attracted the following comments:

‘The success of the scheme will be dependent on achieving architectural diversity and richness. Whilst safeguarding quality, the design code should not be prescriptive with regards to architectural styles and should be flexible to allow for a diverse range of projects: we are encouraged that parts of the lower density areas are being safeguarded for self build projects.

‘The Academy, designed by Foster and Partners, will undoubtedly lay down the architectural gauntlet. This is encouraging; it is important, therefore, to use architects that will be capable of delivering a high quality response in the early phases of the project to set the standard for the development as a whole to follow.'

CABE concluded:

‘We applaud the clear vision of this ambitious development framework which aims to embed the proposed town extension within the existing community, rather than simply ‘dropping it in'. The panel was impressed by the clear analysis of the wider area and the level of thought and detail that have gone into the preparation of the proposal which takes a holistic approach to the regeneration of Corby.

‘The commitment shown to public consultation will need to continue as the detailed ideas emerge, both to meet local needs and to foster a sense of ownership. We believe this development framework provides a believable and deliverable vision. It is, in our view, exemplary, and we wish it every success.'

-ends-

Notes to Editors

•  The project masterplanners are David Lock Associates

•  CABE champions the creation of great buildings and public spaces. It is a non-departmental public body set up by the Government in 1999. Through public campaigns and support to professionals, CABE encourages the development of well-designed homes, streets, parks, offices, schools, hospitals and other public buildings - www.cabe.org.uk

Download:
Presentation to CABE Design Review Committee