Transport advice for the Orchard Centre Expansion, Didcot

Challenge

We were appointed by Hammerson to give transport advice on the extension of the Orchard Centre, contributing to the regeneration of this part of the town centre.

Solution

We advised on the planning application as well as inputting into the transport elements of the scheme, including stopping up, traffic regulation orders and assistance with the S106 negotiations and S278 Agreement. We undertook all of the detailed design for the S278 works, working closely with Oxfordshire County Council as highway authority and South Oxfordshire District Council as planning authority throughout.

Impact

The end result is a retail park that has doubled in size, enhanced pedestrian permeability and connectivity and delivered better access for bus users and vehicles at the same time.

The £50 million expansion of Didcot's retail park added 150,000 sq ft of shopping and leisure space to the existing 200,000 sq ft Orchard Centre. It included 24 new shops, a Marks and Spencer's food hall, a gym, six restaurants and 105 extra parking spaces.