Designs for new town centre 'should reflect the past'
Radical plans for the redevelopment of Northampton town centre have been given a lukewarm reception by some residents, with some doubting they will ever happen and others criticising the new look developments.
The Chronicle & Echo revealed the new plans for the Grosvenor Centre, St Johns' cultural area, railway station and waterside yesterday.
The proposals show the new look Grosvenor Centre, or 'G Centre' as it would be known, would be rebuilt out of glass and the new railway station would feature shops and restaurants along Black Lion Hill.
Chron readers gave the plans a mixed response, with some labelling them a step in the right direction while others criticised the new 'concrete and glass boxes'.
Among the critics was Northampton South's Conservative MP, Brian Binley.
He said: "The pictures are lovely and there seems to be some quite good stuff in there.
"But it's yet another plan for Northampton and we've had more plans than most people have had hot dinners.
"Every time we get a new party in charge at the Guildhall, we get another new plan."
Derngate based architect and Chron columnist, Paul Hobden, feels the plans should reflect the history of the town more.
He said: "I think the plans for the marina and the Avon site are quite exciting, but my reservation is that a lot more work needs to be done to investigate the heritage of the town.
"The new railway station on the former castle site for example could be anywhere.
"But the Grosvenor Centre picture is quite pleasing and it would be exciting to have an area of the town that's hi-tech."
See the full plans at www.themarketcity.com.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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