Basingstoke West

Location: Basingstoke
Client: Sovereign Hill Partnership
Date: 2024-ongoing
Awards:

Basingstoke West is a collaboration between Mæ and Allies and Morrison, on behalf of Sovereign and Hill Partnership to envision a new masterplan framework for Basingstoke West. This includes housing and infrastructure renewal, community and retail redevelopment in the form of three new local centres of varying scales, and sustainable streets and parks.

Mæ has carried out feasibility studies across a vast number of the sites within the masterplan, and in particular detailed Phase I site studies of Old South Ham and Buckskin, which are two estates that have undergone significant disrepair and loss of community functions. The design team have maximised place-making opportunity under four design pillars:

– Renewed homes and streets to ensure safety and liveability

– A prosperous community with strong economic connections.

– A sustainable, healthy, and integrated neighbourhood.

– A proud, empowered, and connected community.

The masterplan proposals have been developed in conjunction with LDA Design, including a large biodiverse park which sits on the flood-prone valley. Designing in collaboration with PJA Transport Planning, the design team have maintained as many of the existing roads as possible, including the transformation of the existing Western Way into a new high street, whilst introducing more efficient and joyful transport connections that promote pedestrian and cycle movement.

In addition, Useful Projects have proposed a smart and flexible energy strategy approach for the neighbourhood clusters, and maximised sustainable interventions across the sites, making use of community batteries, EV charging and Rooftop PV generation. There are also a handful of sites which can benefit from retrofit upgrades.