Rowley Drive Masterplan

We advised Bromford Flagship LiveWest (BFL) on the preparation of a masterplan to inform the regeneration of the Icewell Hill, Rowley Court and Churchill Court housing estates in Newmarket.

The estates sit in the heart of the town and were designed in the 1960s. Over time, residents raised concerns about a number of issues in their community, including safety, anti-social behaviour and the loss of a true sense of community.

Through the masterplan, BFL wanted to create a new quarter for the town. The aim was to provide modern homes for a range of needs, set within a strong network of public realm and open space, while contributing to the existing community and improving social and economic prospects for residents.

At an early stage of the project, we discussed and agreed with the Council that the estates should be addressed holistically, rather than through piecemeal applications. This approach supported the delivery of a shared and coordinated vision that made the most of the opportunities the estates offered. We held regular meetings with a range of Council officers, notably from the planning and housing departments, to make sure they fully understood the vision for the site and the challenges that needed to be addressed to deliver it.

As part of the project team, we committed to and carried out an extensive community engagement programme. This involved residents of the estates within the masterplan as well as the wider local community, including local schools and youth groups. It also included key stakeholders such as elected members, The Jockey Club and Suffolk County Council.

The masterplan was adopted by West Suffolk Council in April 2026, and we have since been instructed to submit a planning application for Phase 1.