Assessing the impact of a major retail and leisure development in Northamptonshire
Rushden Lakes is a large scale mixed use leisure and retail development located on the northern edge of Rushden, Northamptonshire. The development is surrounded by and integrated with important wetland habitats which also support a number of high profile recreational routes. The development now forms a major regional, commercial, retail and recreational centre with visitors being able to enjoy both views, walks and other pursuits associated with the surrounding lakes and wetland environs.
Construction of the site is ongoing with further phased expansion planned for adjacent land to the south and west. Influence Environmental Ltd were commissioned to carry out Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments for two phases of the development which included extension of the existing retail area ‘The Garden Square Scheme’ and proposed installation of a new infrastructure – ‘The Link Road Scheme’ associated with proposed future development to the west. The LVIA was carried out as part of a wider Environmental Impact Assessment and required considerable liaison and coordination with Campbell Reith the EIA coordinators. Through the examination of potential effects associated with the proposed development together with the provision of mitigation details our findings where used to further inform and develop the landscape scheme for the site.
