BWB Consulting is proud to announce that the latest plans for the transformative Trent Basin regeneration project have been approved. This milestone marks the next chapter in a journey BWB has supported since its inception over a decade ago.
Working alongside sustainable developer Blueprint (a joint venture between PfP Capital and Nottingham City Council) and managed by igloo Regeneration and designed by Proctor and Matthews, the newly approved plans focus on a redesigned, family-focused housing scheme. The update includes 79 high-quality, energy-efficient homes, shifting the mix toward three and four-bedroom houses to meet the evolving needs of the Nottingham community.
A Decade of Multi-Disciplinary Engineering
BWB’s involvement at Trent Basin dates back more than ten years, providing a comprehensive suite of urban engineering services that have turned this former industrial brownfield site into a thriving riverside neighbourhood. Our long-standing contribution includes:
- Ground investigations: Addressing complex ground conditions and stabilising the 3-metre high 1930’s concrete retaining structures along the river’s edge.
- Civil Engineering & Infrastructure: Designing the backbone of the site, including the complex realignment of Kilpin Way.
- Drainage & Flood Risk: Implementing a full SuDs drainage strategy that ensures the development drains sustainably, remains protected from flood risk, and crucially, does not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere.
- Decontamination: Overcoming the challenges of the site’s industrial past to prepare the ground for safe, sustainable residential use.
- Highways & Transport: Developing a “people-first” movement strategy that prioritises pedestrians and cyclists, with the instalment of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Trent, being Nottingham’s first river crossing built in over 65 years.
Modernising the Vision: The Section 73 Application
The most recent stage of our work involved a Section 73 application to update the existing planning permission. This process allowed the project team to refine the site layout, improve landscaping arrangements, and optimise house types to ensure the development remains both viable and desirable in today’s market.
Sam Veal, Director of igloo, commented:
The approval of Blueprint’s latest phase is a testament to the enduring vision we have shared for Trent Basin since the very beginning. BWB Consulting has been a trusted partner throughout this journey, providing the technical expertise and innovative engineering required to unlock such a complex waterside site. Together, we are creating a neighbourhood that doesn’t just provide houses, but fosters a sustainable, low-carbon lifestyle.
Living the Vision: A Resident’s Perspective
The success of Trent Basin isn’t just measured in planning approvals or engineering calculations; it is measured in the quality of life it provides. Josh Dickerson, Director of Place and Urban Lead at BWB, brings a unique perspective to the project, having lived within the development for several years.
Josh Dickerson commented:
Having supported Trent Basin almost since its inception and subsequently calling it home for a number of years, I’ve seen firsthand how our engineering and design choices translate into a high-quality living environment. This project has always been about pushing the boundaries of what it means to create a ‘healthy place’.
From the ‘people-first’ street scenes that encourage spontaneous social interaction to the seamless connection with the riverside, the scheme proves that sustainable, low-carbon living can be aspirational. This latest planning success is a testament to a decade of collaboration, ensuring we continue to deliver a neighbourhood that prioritises wellbeing and community resilience
Award-Winning Engagement
Beyond the technical engineering, BWB’s sister agency, Deetu, has been instrumental in the project’s success through its multi-award-winning digital engagement strategy. By utilising innovative interactive tools, the team achieved a 94% approval rating from the community, ensuring that the voices of local residents, businesses, and youth were at the heart of the masterplan.
Looking Ahead
With planning secured, the next stage of Trent Basin is set to move forward, further contributing to Nottingham’s waterside regeneration. The development will also benefit from the upcoming pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Trent, which will link the neighbourhood to the south bank and further enhance the sustainable connectivity BWB has helped inform.
To learn more about our work on this project, visit our Trent Basin Case Study.
Want to find out more about our expertise with Urban Regeneration? Contact Joshua Dickerson, Director of Place