Rowley Drive, Newmarket
An update: Rowley Drive Masterplan
We are pleased to confirm that the Rowley Drive Masterplan was taken to Committee on Tuesday 14 April and has now been formally adopted by West Suffolk Council. This is an exciting milestone for the project.
It’s important to say that the adoption of the Masterplan does not mean that anything is about to happen on the ground. The Masterplan is not a planning application, and it does not give us permission for any development to take place.
What happens next?
This is a shared starting point. It sets out the key principles that any future proposals would need to follow – such as putting residents at the heart of the process and making sure any changes are in keeping with Newmarket.
Before any detailed plans are developed, there is some work to do. We will be taking time to explore what is realistically possible and, importantly, will be coming back to you to help shape what any future proposals might look like. Nothing is fixed, and your involvement will continue to be a key part of the process.
The updated Rowley Drive Masterplan
The updated Rowley Drive Masterplan sets out a high-level vision for change. It sets out the key principles for the vision which any future planning application should adhere to. It is not a detailed design or a planning application, but a flexible framework that will help to shape future plans for the community which has been, and will continue to be, shaped by residents.
The Masterplan has been updated off the back of the Public Consultation.
What changes have been made?
Density
As the project is still at the masterplanning stage, detailed information on density and potential uplift cannot yet be determined. We have therefore removed the indicative ‘up to’ uplift figure and the density plan, as these could be misleading at this point. Instead, we have clarified that all existing homes will be reprovided as a minimum, with any additional uplift to be appropriately tested as the design progresses. These changes can be found on page 43.
Height
We have updated the height plan to provide further reassurance to residents, demonstrating our intention to reduce heights towards existing homes, with all building heights to be fully tested for appropriateness. No new buildings will exceed the maximum storey height of existing buildings. These changes can be found on page 45.
Masterplan vision
We have updated each character area to include example materials that should be used, ensuring any future development is in keeping with Newmarket’s distinct heritage and architectural identity. This can be see on pages 55, 56, 60, 61, 65, 66, 70, 71. In addition, we have refreshed the visual examples within the masterplan to feature a greater number of local precedents, providing clearer guidance on the quality and character expected in future proposals. This can be seen on pages 46 and 49. We tested an option consisting solely of 2-3 storey homes with back gardens; however, this was not previously shown to residents as it is not viable, does not allow us to reprovide enough homes for existing residents, and would result in a substantial loss of parking. We have now included this in the masterplan for transparency. This can be found on pages 30 and 31. As there is no proposed scheme at this stage, we have removed almost all references that could imply one - such as CGIs, illustrative masterplans, and other indicative visuals - to ensure the document remains focused solely on the high-level masterplanning principles. These changes can be found on pages 1, 9, 52, 57, 62, 67, 74.
Who are Flagship?
We’re Flagship. Part of Bromford Flagship, with over 80,000 homes across east, central and southwest England, and a commitment to deliver a further 2,000 homes each year for the next 30 years.
We’re committed to investing significantly to improve our services. Through our locally focused and accountable teams, we tailor our approach to the different people and communities we serve. And by doing things differently, we make the greatest difference.
Customers’ priorities drive our decision making and innovation. When people have quality homes and are part of caring communities, anything is possible. Through our scale and commitment, flexibility and investment, experience and imagination, we’re enabling people to thrive.
Who are Levitt Bernstein?
We are specialists in housing and like to work together with communities to improve their homes and neighbourhoods.
Our team includes: architects, landscape architects and urban designers who are all working together to deliver homes that enhance people’s lives.
We were founded in 1968 on the principles of creating better, affordable homes for all. These principles are important to us and they continue to drive our work today.