Lansdowne Road, UK

In 2007, De Montfort University closed its Bedford campus, leaving behind a collection of 1960's low-rise, education and sports buildings set within the Bedford Conservation Area. Our clients, Storey Property Developments, bought the 2.2 hectare site shortly afterwards and engaged Halcrow to produce a master plan and outline planning application. The site lies within what once was a wealthy Victorian suburb of Bedford, and is surrounded by substantial villas and townhouses.

The existing university buildings' condition, form and unsympathetic design were deemed inappropriate for the desired return to residential use and all will be replaced with new construction. This gave our urban designers the opportunity to create a bold piece of contemporary townscape to enrich the surrounding conservation area. Working with our client's property agents, Kirkby and Diamond, we prepared a scheme for 219 houses and apartments.

At first, the Council was uncomfortable with the use of an outline planning application in a conservation area. To overcome this, we drew up a tight set of design parameters covering everything from roof heights to materials for boundary walls. The resulting master plan won praise from the Council's planners for its clarity, while also giving enough flexibility to allow freedom of expression for the architects who will undertake the detailed design of the buildings.

This project was undertaken in association with Kirkby & Diamond; artist views were prepared by Nigel Gilbert / Ideas Illustrated Architects.