Matrix Partnership Ltd was appointed by Stevenage Borough Council to lead a team tasked with undertaking an ‘Investment and Renewal Programme’ covering each of the town’s 22 neighbourhood centres.

Many of the neighbourhood centres across Stevenage exhibit problems that relate to the original concepts in neighbourhood planning that informed the 1947 masterplan for the town. The design of internal shopping areas that ‘turn their back’ on the surrounding street network dilutes the potential exposure and footfall for retail outlets, while access and servicing are not well resolved in many of the centres, especially in relationship to residential access for the flats above shops. In general there is evidence of an eroding of public realm quality while some of the buildings are in varying states of disrepair.

The Investment and Renewal Programme puts forward a town-wide strategy for addressing this cocktail of issues. Critically it is action oriented – focusing on the delivery of specific projects that address the most critical concerns. Community engagement at an early stage allowed issues important to local residents and businesses to be fully incorporated.

The programme establishes neighbourhood centre priorities and a comprehensive masterplan design for each, backed by recommendations for delivery. This provides a sound evidence base for emerging Local Development Framework policies.