Evaluation

Character

Although the Design Code governs Upton’s overall character as a township on Northampton’s edge, building character is determined by individual builders and architects, and these houses comprise a variety of consciously-chosen styles. The code specifies street layout and therefore block structure, heights (number of storeys) of buildings fronting onto these streets and the relation of buildings to streets. Along the High Street taller ground floors are required to permit changes in use as population increases and small business use emerges. Consistency in the design of public spaces extends to using the same street lights throughout and results in a hierarchy of public spaces – the High Street running north to south, the edges abutting large open spaces, and behind these a network of connected streets, lanes and mews.

The earliest units, a strip along the north edge backing onto the older Upton Grange estate, consists of blocks of Arts and Crafts style houses where each block presents a variety of brick and timber but keeps the same fenestration pattern. Buildings facing open spaces at the site’s edge are on a grander scale in an unashamedly classical style - a provincial neo-Georgian suited to a Midlands city. Square towers with pyramidal roofs mark entrances from the edge into the rest of the development, and Upton’s later stages show different styles emerging from the scaffolding.

The consistent use of different building heights makes the street hierarchy legible, reinforced by drainage channels running down the centre of some streets and the location of major public spaces incorporating facilities such as children’s playgrounds. A diversity of ridge lines, unusual in speculative housing, has been achieved within specified storey heights, and another unusual relatively costly feature is the way the blocks have been cranked and corners carefully turned through the use of non standard plans.

Roads, parking and pedestrianisation

Streets are pedestrian friendly, reflecting principles set out in the 2007 Manual for Streets, with street names chosen to relate to local traditions, including various shoemaking crafts, or myths and folklore. Connections, at present mainly for pedestrians and bicycles, are made where possible to the adjoining estate, but block structure and available space have been carefully contrived to allow vehicle links later when residents of the older Upton Grange Estate can see their benefits.

Each dwelling is allocated a back court car parking space with additional unallocated spaces provided on streets and mews, giving a ratio of 1.5 per dwelling. This seems optimistic since one space is hardly adequate for a six bedroom house, and parking is now occurring outside designated spaces. More parking will be provided in Upton’s later building stages. The accommodation of parking in rear courts is an important governing factor for dwelling mix and type, since increasing the proportion of flats to houses in smaller blocks is not feasible because the consequent increase in parking required could not be provided.

Electronically-controlled gates make parking courts semi-private and shared between surrounding dwellings, a perfectly logical response to frequent security problems posed by rear court parking. Some larger courts have small central sitting areas, which will be particularly appreciated where small private gardens are north facing.

Design and Construction

A wide range of house and apartment types has been carefully integrated into the perimeter blocks. The Design Code requirement for four storey dwellings on certain streets has, unusually for the edge of a medium size city, resulted in five bedroom houses with small gardens (some north facing) and a single allocated parking place - this form is more common in city centres.