Project 01 - Embankment Masterplan

The Opportunity

Peterborough’s Embankment is an underutilised public open space on the River Nene, five minutes from the city centre and its Grade 1 listed Cathedral.

Peterborough City Council wished to develop a masterplan framework in consultation with the public given wider ambitions were emerging for its future. This included a new University Campus to the north and a desire from Peterborough United Football Club to advance a new arena to the south.  

An Engagement Conversation

The masterplan helped Council establish a corporate and commercial position for its future (albeit not in planning policy terms) and to canvas a variety of opinions by engaging widely on a number of options. It also provided a vehicle to explore greater connectivity to the city centre, River Nene, Fletton Quays and the Middleholme opportunity sites together with existing cultural and leisure assets.

RIBA Client Advisor Services provided:

• Impartial, independent advice to set the vision and strategic requirements

• Preparation of the strategic brief including the Client’s design aspirations

• Procurement and management of the design team to deliver the masterplan

• Supporting the steering group, primary stakeholders, public consultation and stakeholder engagement workstreams over the exercise

A New Future Vision

With Peterborough engaged in an exciting development chapter, the masterplan gave Council and residents alike an opportunity to have their say as a framework emerged to guide the future of this popular city asset. The masterplan can also adapt and evolve as funding opportunities and planning applications materialise to realise its strategic vision in the long term.