Our Vision
Towcester Parklands is a new development based on a transformative but sensitive vision to provide an attractive place to learn, work, live and play in Towcester.
The proposals being explored are to be brought forward by a committed local champion with longstanding and historic roots in the town and community.
Our vision is at a very early stage, but the aspiration is to create a new community centred around parkland and leisure, shaped with local input and delivering long-lasting community benefits.
The Racecourse: From private venue to public parkland
Through our vision, the racecourse would be transformed into 158 acres of publicly accessible parkland, creating a significant new green space for Towcester that will connect seamlessly with the Watermeadows park to the north, and to the town centre.
This parkland would:
- Hark back to the original parkland heritage of the area,
- Be open for everyday use, walking, leisure and outdoor activities,
- Provide a setting for community events,
- Become a new feature destination for the town.
The racecourse land would be protected for generations to come and the course and the grandstand would be retained. Leisure activities here would be supplemented by a new leisure village. It is envisaged that the smaller grandstand would be redeveloped to provide cafés, restaurants and other appropriate outlets at ground level to serve the visitors to the park with apartments above providing views over the regenerated parkland.
While the racecourse grounds would be transformed, the course itself can be retained. National Hunt Racing ended at Towcester several years ago and is unlikely to return. But our vision will preserve the venue for future generations and the track could be used for point to point racing.
A community for all life-stages
Our area faces significant housing pressures. This includes more than 2,000 households on the West Northamptonshire housing waiting list, more than 600 local households living in temporary accommodation and house prices that are rising at a faster rate here than the regional average.
We need new homes to address local need, improve choice and affordability, and to enable people to stay in the area in which they grew up and belong.
Our vision is for a collection of small neighbourhoods across the Racecourse and Southern Villages area, with homes for all life-stages, including family homes and apartments, homes for later living and bungalows, and affordable housing alongside market homes.
The neighbourhoods would be centred on green spaces and local infrastructure, creating a series of distinctive hamlets rather than a single urban block, and reflecting the character of Towcester.
The Southern Villages: infrastructure-rich neighbourhoods
Our vision for the Southern Villages area is for a series of neighbourhoods built around a rich array of community infrastructure to serve existing Towcester residents and future generations.
This infrastructure would include a much-needed secondary school along with employment spaces, community uses, local retail including a small supermarket, a primary school and a medical centre. It would also include an ‘innovation district’ building on Towcester’s proximity to Silverstone and the UK’s world-leading motorsport and engineering cluster.
This approach would support local jobs, skills and economic resilience, reducing the need to travel for employment and strengthening Towcester’s role in the regional economy.
Landscape and nature first
Our vision is for landscape-led neighbourhoods, not just the regeneration of the parkland on the racecourse but right throughout the new community.
This would include new green corridors, new woodland, and enhanced existing landscape features like hedgerows and meadows, all easily accessible to residents and visitors. The aspiration is to significantly grow and enhance nature habitats and biodiversity and to strengthen the green environment of Towcester
Our principles
Legacy
With over 500 years of being a custodian of and managing land in the local area, the proposals will take inspiration from Towcester, paying respect to the site’s heritage and are being designed to respect of its local landscape and racecourse heritage.
Returning 158 acres of racecourse land to everyday community use once again demonstrates the landowner’s commitment to giving back to the community.
Sustainability
Our vision is for a sustainable, climate‑responsive neighbourhood that enhances local greenery and will contribute to the local environment through securing biodiversity net gains. The landowner will explore all opportunities to work with delivery partners who will look to maximise the generation of on-site renewable energy and utilise modern construction techniques in order to minimise environmental impacts.
Accessibility
The emerging proposals will deliver an extensive series of greenways across the site to encourage healthy and active travel by foot or cycle. Pathways will integrate with local neighbourhoods and the existing landscape, aligning with the sites topography to form safe, nature‑oriented travel corridors.
Connectivity
Towcester Parklands benefits from excellent connectivity to Towcester town centre and the soon to be completed Towcester Relief Road. The planning application process will allow for opportunities to secure appropriate improvements to the local highway network.
Inclusive Growth
The proposals will offer a diverse range of training, jobs and homes for all stages of life, to retain local talent and help drive a successful future for Towcester and the wider region. The innovation district will build on Towcester’s proximity to Silverstone and the UK’s world-leading motorsport and engineering cluster whereas the Artisan Business Space will offer affordable rents to help small businesses and local start‑ups to grow.
Towcester Parklands is estimated to deliver in the region of 2,800 high quality homes in two distinct yet interconnected neighbourhoods and provide essential infrastructure and services to meet the needs of the local people and families for all generations.
It will deliver a sustainable and balanced community that supports the long‑term economic growth of Towcester and West Northamptonshire.
Towcester Parklands will enhance its landscape setting through new habitat creation, biodiversity restoration and the conservation of natural features.
Designed by leading master planners, Brewster Bye, the proposals respect established local street patterns and traditionally styled homes that prioritise local materials are anticipated.
Community and Green Infrastructure Overview
Green Amenities
A landscape-first community shaped by nature
Fibre Internet
Seamless digital access for work, life and play.
Traditional Village Design
A modern community with classic village character inspired by Towcester’s heritage.
Local Centres
Everyday essentials and places for socialising right on your doorstep.
Active Lifestyle
Walkable, cycle-friendly routes designed for healthy, active living at every age.
Leisure/Play
A public park destination for play, sport and family time designed for all generations to enjoy.