Hillington Square redesign by architects including Wayne Hemingway set to be approved by West Norfolk planning committee

Plans for a major scheme to transform a King's Lynn landmark have will be discussed by planners on Monday.

The multi-million pound regeneration scheme for Hillington Square will see the housing development re-modelled and upgraded and members of West Norfolk Council's planning committee are recommended to approve the plan.

Parts of the 1960s-built development will be completely demolished, while other areas will be upgraded and a new landscaping scheme will see the square opened-up.

'The aims of the scheme, which include improving the appearance of the square, addressing management issues, improving the standard of the accommodation and the quality of the external environment, are not contentious and indeed are supported through the applicant's consultation exercises with residents. There is also broad agreement that the proposed scheme would achieve these aims,' says a report due to go before the committee on Monday morning.

Some of the residents are likely to have to be temporarily re-homed while work is carried out.

The plans were developed by Mae architects and designers Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway, of Hemingway Design, following extensive consultation with local residents and leaseholders.

Mr Hemingway said: 'These plans represent an opportunity to transform Hillington Square and they have been developed after spending time talking and listening to local residents. We have worked closely with the community to capture their ideas so that we can develop a vision for the site that will bring change to this part of King's Lynn. This latest stage in the regeneration moves us all closer towards a brighter future for Hillington Square.'

Parking spaces will be reduced as part of the redevelopment, but the number of units will also be reduced from 319 to 302.

The use of contrasting bricks for the stair 'cores' has not gone down well with the town's Civic Society but the architects feel the design creates a bridge between the old and new styles.

'The main issue between the two camps is the contrasting brick colour to the stair cores. On balance, changing this one element of the scheme would water-down the strategy adopted by the architect, which English Heritage conclude would not harm either the setting of the Conservation Area or the Listed Buildings. Even were this not the case, the final colour of the brick could still be secured by condition and, consequently, should not form a reason for refusal,' the report says.

'The application proposes significant changes to Hillington Square. Some of these changes are individually substantial, such as the demolition of the over-sail fronting Southgate Street and the replacement of the stair cores. Other changes are individually less substantial but cumulatively produce a significant change to the appearance of the scheme, such as the proposed changes to the balustrades and some of the changes to the materials,' it concludes.