It’s an impressive idea; the proposals for new shops and homes in Harlow, Essex are being publicly exhibited prior to planning applications being submitted.
The regeneration project at Clifton Hatch in Harlow will provide shopping facilities and 26 new homes. The exciting prospect, we at Design 4 Retail think, is that the consultation will ensure that the development is not only supported by the local community, but the design of the retail environment will be informed by the feedback outcomes from the exhibition.
The urban development just north-east of London will replace existing outmoded shops with new, bespoke designed retail units, that will support the local economy. Harlow council see the exhibition as providing an opportunity for residents to have a hand in improving the area, and the retail design of the shop units will play a strong role in attracting customers to regenerate Clifton Hatch.
It’s a wise move, and one that would do well to be adopted by other commercial property developers. The local population are inevitably affected by the arrival of new businesses, and shrewdly scooping out the public’s retail requirements will only assist in ensuring that business will be sustainable in the area.
The outcomes of the feedback and its incorporation in to the design of the project will be viewable in a secondary public exhibition during October 09.
The exhibition of design proposals for new shops and homes at Clifton Hatch, Harlow, will be held at the Royal British Legion Club in Latton Common Road on 14 September from 3pm to 7pm.
