The designs for Project Angel, the new £43m office development planned for Northampton, are creating quite a stir.
The public, including some wannabe architects, do seem unusually underwhelmed by what is being offered. Even world -renowned Northampton-born architect, Will Alsop, is among those unimpressed by what is on the drawing board.
But the fact is six schemes are on the table and, while we can all ultimately have a preferred option, one will eventually form the basis for a development that will house 2,000-plus workers in our town centre.
Move away from the aesthetics for a moment and consider the bigger picture. The current, shabby-looking car park will be home to a modern-looking office development, possibly with some retail , an infinitely better prospect than what is there now. In addition, it will save all council tax payers money in the long run, it will be environmentally desirable while money will also be injected into the town centre with the arrival of so many workers.
What’s not to like? Parking, possibly, but that too is being actively addressed. We welcome this project. Now, may the best design win...