Fresh look inside Nasons revamp

A remarkable animation of how the redeveloped Nasons site in Canterbury could look has been produced ahead of an expected planning application submission next month. The three-minute, 27-second film takes the viewer through the buildings, revealing a stunning £25m transformation of the derelict city centre site. Most eye-catching is the landscaped open space within the scheme, providing a “public realm” for community use in the heart of Canterbury. The proposals were first revealed last November and cover almost three quarters of an acre, with the site re-branded Biggleston Yard. Architects say it will be a “high-quality retail and leisure-led destination” with a focus on food and drink, centred around a pedestrian commercial arcade and market hall.

On the upper levels will be 28 serviced apartments and 38 residential units as well as office space.

The new development will still be accessed off the High Street, next to the East Kent Yeomanry memorial.

The proposals have been widely welcomed during the public consultation prior to the formal planning application being submitted.

The site is owned by the Setha Group who have commissioned a team of heritage architects to produce the designs, including awardwinning firms Child Graddon Lewis and Canterbury-based Clague.

They hope planning permission will be granted by August and construction will then take place in phases and be completed in two to three years.

Meanwhile, work is underway at the redundant Debenhams site on the opposite side of the high street. The former department store is being transformed into 12 shops and 74 flats, called the Guildhall Quarter.

■ Watch the video at www. kentonline.co.uk. More details can be found at www. bigglestonyard.info.

The new open space planned for Biggleston Yard is seen in the video

Some of the shops along the ‘retail arcade’ linking the high street to the green space

A look down at the seating in Forester’s Hall