news

PRESS RELEASE: Leicester City Centre
November 2007

The first part of fpcr’s detailed public realm works in Leicester City centre has been completed. Market Street, within the city’s retail quarter, has been redesigned to provide a new pedestrian friendly street and a vibrant café quarter. The FPCR design includes the removal of concrete paving, traditional kerbing, and an array of street furniture and highway signage. The new design is focussed on a simple, clutter free, at grade surface with the use of high quality natural granite paving. The scheme also includes feature ground lighting and bespoke column and seats.  Appointed by Leicester City Council’s Urban Design Group, FPCR ’s design for the City’s Hotel Street, which includes natural granite paving and a new café space are set to be completed in the autumn.

PRESS RELEASE: Vulcan Works, Newton-le-Willows
November 2007

Planning Permission has been granted for the redevelopment of the former Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows, St Helens. FPCR co-ordinated the planning application, Environmental Statement, and Design Brief for St Modwen Developments and Ashtenne Ltd. The development includes 675 new dwellings, local centre, and sports complex. The new development is set with the heart of Newton-le Willows and is set to provide a significant regeneration of the former industrial site. FPCR are continuing their involvement in the project, and are involved in the on-site works.

Relocation of Rare Cave Spiders catches Media Attention

February 2007

Ecologists from FPCR have undertaken the relocation of around 750 rare cave spiders, found in an undergound air-raid shelter used during the last world war, near the site of Papworth Hosptial in Cambridgeshire.  The site is one of only twenty colonies in the country, and is being developed into dozens of new dwellings. A replica underground shelter has be constructed for the spiders, which have to be moved one-by-one to stop them from eating each other.

This video clip shows the report from the regional BBC news. (courtesy of the BBC)

Paving The Way for Lichfield City Centre Refurbishment

January 2007

FPCR have been appointed by Lichfield District Council to carry out the landscape and urban design services for the £1 million public realm improvements to the city centre. The practice will design and oversee the enhancement of the Market Square and several key connecting streets and spaces. The proposals are part of a strategy aimed at defining Lichfield as the County`s premier Cultural and Heritage City.

CLICK HERE to see more detials on the scheme.

PRESS RELEASE: Coston Park, Leicester
November 2006

On 13 March 2006 consent was granted (following a Secretary of State Call In Inquiry) for the first PPS7 “house in the countryside”.

Coston Park currently consists of relic parkland providing the setting for the long demolished Coston Hall, overlooking the valley of the River Eye.  Working alongside Chartered Town Planners, Ian Baseley Associates of Nottingham and Paul Bancroft (Architecture) FPCR have prepared a comprehensive Masterplan and Design Statement which creates the vision for a restored  park and gardens surrounding a new, locally distinctive, estate residence in the country house tradition.

The Secretary of State agreed with the conclusions of his Inspector Stephen Brown, that, taken together, the masterplan and the house would greatly enhance the character of the area, particularly through the comprehensive and sensitive landscape proposals and the resulting biodiversity benefits.  The Coston Park scheme was judged to be an asset to the area in terms of its appearance and positive contribution to the setting of Coston and the Grade I listed church of St Andrew.

The Masterplan for the 30ha park locates the proposed house on a localised promontory overlooking a large new lake adjacent to the River Eye.  The restored parkland would reinforce the sense of place provided by the Eye Valley, with broadleaved woodland blocks concentrated on the higher land surrounding the perimeter.  Strong vistas will be created channelled towards the house and St Andrews Church.

Other features of the masterplan include a restored romantic bridge, two “follies”, terraced gardens anchored by circular belvederes, a chain of lakes and pools running along the Eye valley, and a community orchard accessible to the people of Coston and ramblers crossing the park.

Vacancies

Please click HERE for details of vacancies.