Masterplanning & Placemaking
We help create high-quality, deliverable places by integrating planning and design, bringing together the right people, skills, and evidence in a timely way. Our work is grounded in collaboration -whether setting visions for new communities, shaping regeneration strategies for town centres, or help developing frameworks and design codes to guide long-term delivery.
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From large-scale masterplans to focused guidance, we help clients articulate their ambitions, secure buy-in, and ensure the principles of good placemaking are embedded throughout the masterplanning, planning and delivery process.
Collaborative placemaking
Creating high-quality design outcomes by aligning planning and design, supported by expertise in design delivery and funding.
Vision and objectives
Working with clients to shape distinct and deliverable visions and objectives and embed them in policies and frameworks.
Urban design frameworks & masterplans
Preparing and reviewing design frameworks for garden communities, strategic sites and high streets.
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Design codes & guides
Translating visions and masterplans into detailed, practical guidance through collaborative development of design codes, guides and SPDs.
Inclusive design process
Running design reviews, workshops, and training to upskill professionals and to bring diverse perspectives into the design process.
Project examples
Sefton - NMDC Design Code Pilot
We supported Sefton Council in successfully bidding to become one of the Government’s National Model Design Code pilot projects, focusing on the regeneration of Bootle town centre. Following the successful bid, we led the Code implementation process in partnership with Optimised Environments (urban designers) and BE Group (deliverability specialists). Our work included extensive community and stakeholder engagement- from virtual workshops using interactive tools, to traditional drop-in sessions - and the preparation of a design-led vision for the Bootle area. We then produced detailed guidance for the Trent and Mersey canal corridor, including a character analysis and a design coding toolkit tailored to Bootle’s regeneration challenges and opportunities.
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Forth Yards - Visioning & Stakeholder Workshop
Commissioned by Homes England, we facilitated a workshop to establish a shared vision and objectives to drive forward the regeneration of the partly derelict, brownfield Forth Yards site in the centre of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. We reviewed existing planning and masterplanning work, engaged key stakeholders, and used innovative digital tools (such as Menti) to guide structured discussions. The outcome was a collaboratively agreed vision statement, a set of development objectives, and recommendations on next steps towards delivery.
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Oldham Strategic Sites - Masterplanning Frameworks
On behalf of Oldham Borough Council, we helped to progress two major strategic site allocations identified in the Greater Manchester ‘Places for Everyone’ plan. Our role included engaging with landowners and developers to agree comprehensive masterplan frameworks and a shared infrastructure delivery plan. This will inform the Council’s delivery and planning application strategy and ensure a strong placemaking focus throughout the process.
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South Staffordshire Strategic Sites – Development Frameworks & Visioning
We worked with South Staffordshire Council and site promoters to prepare Strategic Development Frameworks for four proposed strategic housing allocations collectively delivering over 5,000 new homes. Our role included reviewing technical baseline data, setting a vision and objectives for each site, leading stakeholder engagement, preparing concept plans to be included in the emerging Local Plan and advising on the content of local plan policies to ensure the masterplanning process is embedded throughout. This collaborative work demonstrated that the sites were deliverable and helped ensure quality placemaking principles in the local plan process.
Chesham - Town Centre Regeneration Strategy
Working alongside BE Group and Optimised Environments (Open), we prepared a Regeneration Strategy for Chesham town centre on behalf of Buckinghamshire Council. This strategic framework sets out priorities for investment, identifies regeneration sites, and proposes a coordinated approach to delivery. Our role included developing and delivering an engagement plan, leading a visioning exercise, and providing critical friend advice on planning and urban design elements. The resulting strategy positions Chesham to realise its potential as an attractive, sustainable town.
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Wisley - Design Code
We were commissioned by Guildford Borough Council to review the site wide design code and subsequent first neighbourhood code for the new development on Wisley airfield. This site for approximately 2000 new homes and had been extremely controversial through the planning application process. The final outline approval contained conditions requiring both a site wide design code, followed by a number of neighbourhood codes. We were commissioned to undertake a collaborate process between the Council, Taylor Wimpey and key consultees to ensure that the approach to and content of the site wide code conformed with the appropriate planning conditions and would deliver the quality of scheme envisaged.
