By Sharon AsplinDETAILED proposals have been unveiled to create a new look for a town centre.The redevelopment of the central campus of Anglia Polytechnic University's site between Victoria Road South and Duke Street, Chelmsford, could see a new public square, apartments and parking created in a bold modern style.

By Sharon Asplin

DETAILED proposals have been unveiled to create a new look for a town centre.

The redevelopment of the central campus of Anglia Polytechnic University's site between Victoria Road South and Duke Street, Chelmsford, could see a new public square, apartments and parking created in a bold modern style.

The principle of redevelopment was agreed by Chelmsford Borough Council in September and now councillors are studying the results of a public consultation about the details.

Internationally-renowned architect, Richard Rogers, has designed the scheme for developer Copthorn Homes. His other projects have included the Millennium Dome and the Channel 4 television headquarters building.

Some of this city-scale influence is reflected in the Chelmsford scheme, with a plan for a seven-storey block of 361 apartments in a curved block of glass, concrete and metal, with underground car parking.

The building will face a new garden square and connect to Central Park, with a “land bridge” - a wide bridge planted with trees and grass, with seating.

This is the first of a number of detailed applications that will also see plans for shops, offices and community facilities with new public spaces and footpath links to the town centre and West End of Chelmsford.

The council's head of town planning services, David Green, said: “We are excited at the prospect of major change in the heart of Chelmsford and we want contemporary, city character buildings of the highest quality.

“High-density town centre development close to shops and transport goes hand-in-hand with limiting sprawl into the countryside and helps meet the need for thousands of new homes over the next 15 to 20 years.

“We welcome the public's views on the design and appearance of the proposed scheme before members of the planning committee formally consider this application.”

sharon.asplin@eadt.co.uk