Evaluation

Kettering Borough Council adopted a masterplan to improve its town centre. This contained several weaknesses which threatened delivery and put implementation at the mercy of the developer’s agenda and financial constraints,

Council officers were wary of CABE at the start, worried that a demand for ‘good design’ was too vague to be helpful and that CABE’s involvement would slow down an already difficult process. Since working with CABE they have changed their view:

‘Design has moved up the agenda in the regeneration of Kettering town centre. It is being considered as an integral element of development discussions rather than as a final thought. There is no question that CABE have had a positive impact.’

The CABE enablers helped the council become more willing to ask for high quality design, more adept at specifying high quality design and more confident in proactively managing development.

Kettering is now better equipped to deliver the masterplan through projects that will improve the quality of its town centre.