Riverfront Masterplan

Levitate was appointed by the Borough Council of West Norfolk and King’s Lynn to develop a vision and delivery plan for the regeneration of the King’s Lynn riverfront, an 850m stretch of active commercial waterway and dockside with 29 acres of brownfield and undeveloped land, close to the historic town centre.

The study area encompassed numerous vacant properties and grade II, II* and I listed buildings, with riverside uses, commercial and leisure moorings, transport, archaeological, flood, wildlife and environmental conditions adding complexity.

The objective was to create a concept masterplan for the riverfront to deliver greater richness and diversity of use and a walkable riverfront, promoting an evening and visitor economy.

Working with regeneration consultants Urban Delivery, we carried out a comprehensive assessment of the area’s history, development and character. Our proposals focused on re-casting expectations of the current Local Plan site allocations, to re-distribute housing and free up strategic historic and prominent sites on the riverfront. This shift in thinking allowed for a range of new uses to be considered, including hotel, brewery, dining, workspace, healthcare and a mix of local craft retail units.

We proposed the concentration of public access and points of interest into listed buildings at either end of the riverfront – supporting their sustainable redevelopment – and located an area of new housing further south, focused around a new wetlands landscape with significant ecological and environmental benefits.

Our work continues with new appointments to develop both of the historic anchor buildings at the north and south ends of the riverfront, as well as promoting connecting initiatives in the wider town and a new bridge across the River Great Ouse.