Published: Wednesday, 10th January 2024
Potential proposals to transform Baxter’s Plain are set to be considered at the next meeting of the borough council’s Regeneration and Development Panel taking place on 10 January 2024.
The proposals, which are still at an illustrative stage, aim to create public realm improvements that will enhance the experience for visitors and residents to this part of the town.
The outline concepts, which have been shaped by community consultation and developed by architects BDP, include creating a flexible event space where people can congregate for a range of activities and events.
In addition, the proposals also allow for trees and planting, including a feature tree where Tower and Blackfriars Street meet, providing a focal point at the end of each street. A green wall and planting is also included, along with art installations, and new cycle parking.
Decluttering street furniture, improvements to the pedestrianisation of the area, and new lighting are also proposed.
The illustrative masterplan for Baxter’s Plain also incorporates the new Multi User Community Hub that is set to be developed in the former Argos building. This is a separate Norfolk County Council Town Deal project funded by Town Deal and Norfolk County Council funding.
Norfolk County Council have appointed Mace and Hudsons architects who are developing the design further. Any images within the Baxters Plain development are conceptual and do not represent the final design.
Consultation and engagement, including online meetings, public consultation events, stakeholder events, door-to-door surveys, and social media engagement across a number of channels, have previously taken place, with the feedback gathered helping to refine the proposals.
Whilst funding is not currently in place for the public realm improvements outlined in the proposals, the consultation and engagement has taken place to progress the project to a ‘shovel ready’ position should suitable grant funding become available.
Councillor Alistair Beales, Cabinet Member for Business commented: “We have an opportunity to significantly enhance the public realm in Baxter’s Plain, and in doing so, create a unique and distinctive identity for this area, improving it for visitors and residents alike.
“These outline proposals show what is possible for Baxter’s Plain, and the potential for this part of town to be transformed, subject to grant funding becoming available.
“The designs have been refined to reflect the feedback from local people and businesses in the area, and we are grateful to everyone who has shared their views through the consultation and engagement that has taken place so far.”
The next steps for the project would be for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and Norfolk County Council to agree a funding and delivery strategy that would inform further design detail and possible timescales to implement the scheme.