Planning permission has been secured for the first phase of the transformation of St Botolph's Quarter in central Colchester, marking an important milestone in the city's long-term regeneration. Masterplanned by Haworth Tompkins, with landscape design by LDA Design, the £7 million public realm project has been developed in partnership with Colchester City Council, Platform4 and the wider consultant team. The proposals will transform an existing car park into a new civic square centred around the remains of the 11th-century St Botolph's Priory, while creating a greener, more accessible route linking Colchester Town station with Castle Park.
Developed in close consultation with Historic England and English Heritage, the design draws on historic mapping and archaeological understanding to re-establish the spatial character of the former Priory Gardens. New walking routes follow historic alignments, while carefully integrated seating and planting create opportunities for people to pause, gather and reconnect with one of Colchester's most significant heritage assets. With planning now secured, archaeological survey trenching has begun on site, and the project will progress to RIBA Stage 4 design in August as work continues towards delivery. The first phase of the masterplan has been shaped through extensive community engagement, led by our collaborator HAT Projects, and establishes a strong foundation for the long-term regeneration of Colchester city centre through to 2030.
Hugo Braddick, Associate Director at Haworth Tompkins, said: "St Botolph's Quarter demonstrates how thoughtful regeneration can reveal the richness of a place while creating new opportunities for civic life. By working closely with our collaborators, the local authority and heritage partners, we've shaped proposals that reconnect people with Colchester's remarkable history and provide a welcoming public space designed to support the city's future."
Pembroke Mill Lane for Pembroke College, Cambridge, has been shortlisted for the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK's most prestigious award for architecture.
Wonderful to see the new performance spaces at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) alive with performance, rehearsal and teaching.
Pembroke Mill Lane, Cambridge has received a RIBA National Award.
Haworth Tompkins has been shortlisted in two categories at this year's Building Design Architect of the Year Awards.
We are so pleased to see The Court Theatre continue to receive industry recognition, with multiple honours at Friday night's Property Council New Zealand Industry Awards, including the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Judges' Choice Award.
In the second of three NLA articles, Tom Gibson, Associate Director at Haworth Tompkins, reflects on the practice’s international mass timber projects and the lessons they offer for timber construction in the UK.
Last week, Haworth Tompkins received the Dewi-Prys Thomas Award for our work on Theatr Clwyd in Mold, North Wales. The award celebrates the role of design in improving quality of life and supporting regeneration across Wales.
| 25.03.26 | Mass Timber Design Innovations: from fire strategy to carbon reduction, the challenges and opportunities of designing with timber. → |
| 30.10.25 | Construction Reaches Topping Off Milestone for the New Home of the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University → |
| 28.07.25 | Haworth Tompkins reveals plans for the redevelopment of Grade I listed De La Warr Pavilion → |
| 13.05.25 | Haworth Tompkins to lead design of affordable housing in £2.5 Billion York Central Regeneration → |