rg+p has secured planning permission for new homes in Newark, which will reinstate the town centre’s medieval character
rg+p’s design will see the creation of 29 new homes in Newark, which includes one and two-bedroom apartments and 475m² of co-working space together with car parking, cycle storage, a communal roof terrace, and a new public realm.
The residential scheme will regenerate the former Marks & Spencer department store, retaining its 1930’s art deco frontage while re-establishing the medieval St Marks Lane.
‘Providing modern homes and places of work’
Ben Walton, rg+p’s design director commented: “Our brief for the redevelopment at Stodman Street was to preserve and enhance its historic character whilst providing modern homes and places of work.
“Through extensive analysis of the townscape, we identified an opportunity to improve the public realm by reinstating St Marks Lane, a medieval lane and natural wayfinding route that connects Stodman Street with Lombard Street.
“Our design introduces pedestrianised upper and lower walkways along here, together with new commercial units which will help reactivate the street frontage.
“By studying the neighbouring architectural context, we established a series of ‘push and pull’ frontages, with the commercial units creating activity along the street and the residential apartments recessed.
“The massing was devised in close consultation with the local authority conservation team to ensure an appropriate sense of scale while the material palette features rhomboid grey zinc shingles, beige stone to complement the retained art deco frontage, red brick with dark and light mortar variations, lime wash/white painted brick and metal balustrading.
“The approved scheme will restore Newark’s historic layout and we look forward to progressing the project.”
Each of the new homes in Newark has private amenity space, and the majority are dual aspect to help with natural ventilation.
Creating new high-quality homes, retail space and job opportunities
Councillor David Lloyd, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and co-chair of Newark Towns Fund Board, added: “These approved plans will provide an excellent opportunity to breathe life back into this vacant space with an interesting and imaginative design that is sympathetic to the surrounding heritage buildings in Newark town centre and materially enhance the quality of the public realm.
“In addition, by creating new high-quality homes, retail space and job opportunities, this redevelopment will benefit our town and its residents in the long term.”
The new homes in Newark are expected to be available for residents by 2024.
