Responding to the CLG's focus for growth along the London-Stansted-Cambridge- Peterborough corridor, a joint District and County Council client group commissioned the practice to develop a new spatial framework for Harlow, guided by progressive sustainability thinking.

The study establishes masterplanning principles and sustainability criteria as the basis for a robust assessment for growth. Any new development is required to meet these conditions in order to ensure sustainability considerations drive forward future evolution of the town.

The scale of growth required by regional planning guidance establishes the need for more than 20,000 new dwellings, along with supporting amenity and new employment opportunities. The study provides a visionary spatial strategy for both urban regeneration and sustainable expansion.