Kirkby Masterplan

Vision and Objectives

The Kirkby Masterplan establishes a high-quality, mixed-use development that anchors local economic activity while providing a diverse range of housing and leisure provision. The primary objectives are to create a permeable, human-scaled neighborhood where residents can work, live, and socialize in a well-served public realm. The plan prioritizes sustainable transport, integrates blue-green infrastructure for flood resilience and biodiversity, and ensures a balanced tenure mix to foster a inclusive community.

Land Use and Development Mix

The site is divided into distinct but interconnected zones:

Residential: High-quality housing across various typologies, clustered near community facilities and open spaces.
Employment: A dedicated business zone with flexible workspaces, a business incubator, and retail units to drive local employment.
Leisure and Retail: A central hub for shops, cafes, and a community center, providing essential services and a social focus.
Public Realm: A networked system of squares, pedestrian streets, and green corridors that stitch the different land uses together.

Housing Mix and Density

The plan delivers a balanced housing mix to support a diverse community:

Tenure: A combination of affordable housing, shared ownership, and private sale, with a commitment to a high percentage of affordable units.
Density: Varied densities that respond to the site’s character—higher density near employment and transport nodes, lower density along the edges and near open spaces.
Design: A coherent architectural language that uses high-quality materials and a human scale across all housing types.

Economic and Employment Strategy

Economic vitality is anchored by the employment zone, which provides:

Diverse Workspaces: From small business units to larger industrial and office spaces.
Business Support: A business incubator and networking opportunities to help local entrepreneurs thrive.
Local Jobs: A clear link between the employment zone and the residential neighborhoods, reducing commuting and strengthening the local economy.

Transport and Connectivity

A sustainable transport network underpins the masterplan:

Active Travel: A comprehensive network of segregated cycle lanes and pedestrian routes that prioritizes walking and cycling.
Public Transport: Enhanced bus links and convenient stops throughout the site, integrated with the pedestrian network.
Permeability: A legible street pattern that connects the different zones and the wider region, making the neighborhood easy to navigate on foot.

Open Space and Blue-Green Infrastructure

The plan integrates blue-green infrastructure as a core element:

SUDAL: Sustainable Drainage Aligned Landscaping that manages surface water naturally and creates high-quality public realm.
Biodiversity: A networked system of green corridors and wildflower meadows that supports local wildlife and enhances the site’s ecological value.
Public Realm: A series of public squares and pocket parks that provide places for recreation and community events.

Design Principles

A coherent design language ensures a high-quality place:

Human Scale: Buildings that respond to the pedestrian experience with diverse facades and legible street patterns.
Materiality: A palette of high-quality, durable materials that reflect the local character and complement the blue-green infrastructure.
Character: A clear sense of place across the different zones, tied together by a shared architectural language.

Delivery and Phasing

Development is phased to ensure a viable delivery:

Infrastructure First: Early investment in roads, utilities, and the SUDAL network to prepare for subsequent development.
Phased Development: A logical sequence of development that creates a functional neighborhood from the outset, with the employment zone and community hub delivered early to anchor the site.
Community Integration: Phasing that allows the new community to grow and mature, with public realm and open spaces delivered in line with housing.