Newtown High Street
Newtown High Street
Newtown Town Council and Powys County Council secured significant funding from the Welsh Government to undertake a major project that would see the centre of Newtown enhanced by a range of exciting measures to make the town Greener.
Newtown High Street in Wales has a historical legacy dating back to its origins as a bustling market town and a pivotal crossroads for trade and commerce. Its markets played a fundamental role in facilitating the exchange of goods and supporting the livelihoods of the local community, thereby establishing the high street as a central hub for social interactions among residents.
In recent times, a determined effort has been undertaken to preserve Newtown High Street’s historical essence while adapting to contemporary requirements. These endeavours are part of the Growing Newtown Project, characterised by various enhancements, including modifications to the High Street seating area and the integration of garden planters. These enhancements align with the Welsh Governments Targeted Regeneration investment programme which seeks to invigorate the local economy while embracing green infrastructure principles.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Newtown Town Council and Powys County Council secured significant funding from the Welsh Government to undertake a major project that would see the centre of Newtown enhanced by a range of exciting measures to make the town Greener.
Newtown High Street in Wales has a historical legacy dating back to its origins as a bustling market town and a pivotal crossroads for trade and commerce. Its markets played a fundamental role in facilitating the exchange of goods and supporting the livelihoods of the local community, thereby establishing the high street as a central hub for social interactions among residents.
In recent times, a determined effort has been undertaken to preserve Newtown High Street’s historical essence while adapting to contemporary requirements. These endeavours are part of the Growing Newtown Project, characterised by various enhancements, including modifications to the High Street seating area and the integration of garden planters. These enhancements align with the Welsh Governments Targeted Regeneration investment programme which seeks to invigorate the local economy while embracing green infrastructure principles.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
“The project is bringing back into use an empty town centre shop, providing new jobs and acting as a hub for reuse of materials and products.”
This transformational initiative encompasses measures such as raising the sloping pavement outside Costa Coffee, the Market Hall, and Lloyds Bank on the High Street. This adjustment is geared toward street markets, cafes, and pop-up events, thereby contributing to the vibrancy of the urban environment.
The investment serves a larger purpose by aligning with the circular economy concept, championing the reuse, and recycling of products to curtail waste and promote sustainability. Newtown’s pioneering role in this movement reflects collaborative efforts between various stakeholders, driving change towards a zero-waste society and fostering a more ecologically conscious economy.
The financing for the Growing Newtown Projects was sourced from various channels, including a £500,000 grant from the Welsh Government, a contribution of £240,000 from Powys County Council, and an additional £20,000 from Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council. These funds were allocated towards the installation of Urban Green Infrastructure, encompassing elements like street tree planting and sustainable urban drainage systems, all aimed at catalysing economic regeneration and sustainable development.
“The project is bringing back into use an empty town centre shop, providing new jobs and acting as a hub for reuse of materials and products.”
This transformational initiative encompasses measures such as raising the sloping pavement outside Costa Coffee, the Market Hall, and Lloyds Bank on the High Street. This adjustment is geared toward street markets, cafes, and pop-up events, thereby contributing to the vibrancy of the urban environment.
The investment serves a larger purpose by aligning with the circular economy concept, championing the reuse, and recycling of products to curtail waste and promote sustainability. Newtown’s pioneering role in this movement reflects collaborative efforts between various stakeholders, driving change towards a zero-waste society and fostering a more ecologically conscious economy.
The financing for the Growing Newtown Projects was sourced from various channels, including a £500,000 grant from the Welsh Government, a contribution of £240,000 from Powys County Council, and an additional £20,000 from Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council. These funds were allocated towards the installation of Urban Green Infrastructure, encompassing elements like street tree planting and sustainable urban drainage systems, all aimed at catalysing economic regeneration and sustainable development.
The project’s implementation kicked off in February 2022, leveraging GreenBlue Products, with specifiers WSP leading the design and Travis Perkins overseeing the order. Specifically, using RootSpace G2 and ArborCell, – a load-bearing layer for additional attenuation. The HydroPlanter Max and Flex from the GreenBlue product range were instrumental in achieving the SuDS element for this project. Guying, Root Management and additional aeration were essential for the tree planting. Supported by Rootspace G2, crafted from 100% recycled polypropylene, addresses the needs of green infrastructure by providing ample soil volume for robust plant root systems. The HydroPlanter Max rain garden system is a bespoke option for sustainable drainage, boasting an integrated exceedance chamber for overflow management and maintenance in a rain garden scenario.
A comprehensive public consultation involving residents and local business owners ensured that the community’s voice was heard in the redevelopment plans, fostering a sense of ownership and enthusiastic support for the project. The Growing Newtown initiative has encompassed green spaces and upgraded drainage, all contributing to the holistic revitalisation of the Newtown High Street vicinity.
The project’s implementation kicked off in February 2022, leveraging GreenBlue Products, with specifiers WSP leading the design and Travis Perkins overseeing the order. Specifically, using RootSpace G2 and ArborCell, – a load-bearing layer for additional attenuation. The HydroPlanter Max and Flex from the GreenBlue product range were instrumental in achieving the SuDS element for this project. Guying, Root Management and additional aeration were essential for the tree planting. Supported by Rootspace G2, crafted from 100% recycled polypropylene, addresses the needs of green infrastructure by providing ample soil volume for robust plant root systems. The HydroPlanter Max rain garden system is a bespoke option for sustainable drainage, boasting an integrated exceedance chamber for overflow management and maintenance in a rain garden scenario.
A comprehensive public consultation involving residents and local business owners ensured that the community’s voice was heard in the redevelopment plans, fostering a sense of ownership and enthusiastic support for the project. The Growing Newtown initiative has encompassed green spaces and upgraded drainage, all contributing to the holistic revitalisation of the Newtown High Street vicinity.
