Property values and economical viability in masterplanning

Simon Davis, director of Urban Delivery, emphasized the importance of property values being considered as an integral part of masterplans. He urged that masterplans should not just include design and planning concepts but should take in implementation issues. All parts of the public sector needed to be engaged in preparing masterplans and subsequent delivery following an agreed timetable.

He was working on a project in Towcester in Northamptonshire which involved redeveloping a backlands site to enable town centre expansion as new housing was built in the town. The scheme included a wide range of uses including specialist retail, offices, housing, recreation and leisure and community facilities. The local Council had recently committed to moving its offices there and a new library was planned which would give an anchor to the new private development.