Case Studies
A selection of recent projects are outlined below, explaining the role that Geraint undertook. Links are provided to enable you to see how these projects are being taken forward by the individual Councils. If you’d like to understand more about any of the projects please get in touch.
Andover
Geraint led a highly successful masterplan for Andover town centre. The process involved significant public engagement, viability appraisals and soft market testing. The strategy and masterplan received a national Urban Design award and over £18m of public funding to deliver a new theatre, cultural hub and riverside park which were integral elements of the masterplan. A planning application for the new riverside park was submitted in May 2025, and plans for the new theatre have also just been released.
Kidderminster
Geraint led a new Vision for Kidderminster town centre, undertaking workshops with officers and local stakeholders. The subsequent town centre Vision was instrumental in attracting over £20m through the Future High Streets Fund. Following the success of the Vision, Geraint was part of the team undertaking detailed feasibility studies and soft market testing to support the delivery of key town centre sites. The recommendations were recently endorsed by Wyre Forest Executive.
https://www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/planning-and-buildings/regeneration-and-major-developments/
Banbury
Geraint has recently completed an engagement-led Vision for Banbury. He led workshops with officers, members, town centre businesses, retailers, cultural stakeholders and major employers, to develop a framework for change in the town centre up to 2050 and a set of values to guide that change. The overall objective is to make the town centre a stronger ‘destination’, competing with retail parks more effectively by promoting the strength of its heritage, its canal and parks, its independent businesses and its cultural and leisure offer.
https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/4/business/1155/banbury-vision-2050
Bletchley & Fenny Stratford
Geraint has just completed work for Milton Keynes City Council and the Town Deal Board on the Bletchley & Fenny Stratford 2050 Vision. The work focused initially on how best to engage the local community, to demonstrate the local benefits and address any identified weaknesses. Following a series of stakeholder workshops, public events and on-line engagement Geraint drafted a coherent and ambitious Vision alongside a series of ‘aspirational’ projects for the future.
Liskeard
Geraint recently completed a Town Centre Vision and Action Plan on behalf of Liskeard Town Council and in partnership with Cornwall Council. The process involved a SWOT analysis, stakeholder engagement, a student workshop and a public workshop attended by over 100 local people. To meet funding requirements the process was undertaken in only 16 weeks, with commissioning in November 2024, and a report published for public consultation in March 2025. The focus was on a series of deliverable projects and public consultation on the draft proposals showed considerable support for the range of actions identified.
https://www.liskeard.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/Town-Vision-2025-FINAL.pdf
Hungerford & Thatcham
Geraint led strategies for Hungerford and Thatcham, considering the different issues facing one as a niche tourist destination and the other a key growth area. The proposals were delivered in close partnership with the two Town Councils, involving a series of workshops and a community engagement exercise with around 1,700 responses. The output was a bespoke community-led Spatial Strategy and project-based Action Plan for each town, meeting the needs of the local population as well as planning for future growth.
Basingstoke
Geraint worked with HemingwayDesign to prepare a Vision for Basingstoke town centre. It showed how the Council’s extensive landholdings could be used to move Basingstoke forward, bringing more public space, more greenery and breaking the barriers created by the large shopping centres and highway infrastructure. The Vision and Action Plan informed the development of a subsequent more detailed, illustrative town centre masterplan and short-term improvements to The Malls shopping centre. A ‘Vision Filter’ was developed to help the Council assess all future proposals and projects in the town centre..
https://www.businesswestberks.co.uk/newbury-town-centre-masterplan
Garden Villages
For Crest Nicholson, Geraint led the original masterplanning strategy for a new urban extension to Swindon (eventually branded Tadpole Garden Village). He led market research on housing values in the neighbouring villages to demonstrate the values that could be created despite the concerns over the Swindon postcode. By introducing a new community park and a rapid bus connection the strategy met planning policy whilst creating a separate Cotswolds identity welcomed by members and residents. The scheme became Crest’s flagship Garden Village. Geraint was also part of the team that developed the masterplanning concept for Buckover Garden Village on behalf of St. Modwen and Tortworth Estate.
Chertsey
In Chertsey, Geraint prepared a town centre masterplan providing more public space, a permanent location for the market, new events space and opportunities for a riverside park. He then prepared a short-term public realm strategy, relocating on-street parking to improve walking and cycling, create parklets and spill out space for local businesses. A community engagement event showed considerable support for the improvements, which are now being delivered with funding obtained from the Levelling Up Fund.
https://www.runnymede.gov.uk/community-facilities/guildford-street-improvements/2
New Communities
In Weston-super-Mare Geraint was part of the team appointed by Homes England to redevelop the vacant airfield site, RAF Locking. The Enquiry by Design generated community and Council support for a mixed-use community to be known as Locking Parklands, comprising 1500 homes, employment, schools, leisure facilities and a new local centre. This secured St Modwen’s appointment as development partner and Geraint was part of the team that advised on delivery of the new community over the next 15 years, winning numerous design and housebuilding awards. Geraint also advised North Somerset Council on the masterplanning of their adjacent land as Parklands Village.
Newbury
At Newbury Geraint led the town centre masterplanning, identifying opportunities for new cultural and creative space, improving the High Street to promote events, eating and drinking and a more ‘social’ town centre whilst maintaining essential access. Over 4,000 responses were received and a costed series of ‘quick wins’ received 90% support from the public. A key project to reduce parking and create a new social and events space on the waterfront subsequently received around £1m funding from the LEP and the SPF. Geraint also led a strategy for improving the sustainability and physical appearance of the adjacent industrial area
https://www.businesswestberks.co.uk/newbury-town-centre-masterplan
