McBains
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Capabilities
  • Sectors
  • Projects
  • Our People
  • Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework
  • Careers
  • News
  • Contact
Recent Projects
  • Glenvale Park Phase 2
    Glenvale Park Phase 2 View Case Study
  • Alexandra Road, Corby
    Alexandra Road, Corby View Case Study
  • Paddington Square
    Paddington Square View Case Study
  • Graduate Hotels
    Graduate Hotels View Case Study
  • UKAEA – Combined Office Building
    UKAEA – Combined Office Building View Case Study
  • Perry Road, Harlow
    Perry Road, Harlow View Case Study
  • News

McBains secures go ahead for new arts and cultural quarter in Harlow town centre

Plans for a new arts and cultural quarter in Harlow town centre, designed by McBains, achieved unanimous planning approval last week (April 10, 2024), with council officers describing the application as "exemplary" and praising its "high-quality" design.

The scheme will deliver a new live performance venue, flexible commercial and community floorspace, 47 new affordable apartments, and extensive public realm improvements.

A new, two-storey dedicated ‘Arts’ building will provide flexible performance and creative arts studio facilities, providing spaces for rehearsal, dance and teaching hire and classes; a music school with rehearsal and recording facilities; and a new café, changing rooms and booking office.

A part-five, part-six storey mixed-use building will deliver affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments, together with ground floor commercial space, with flexible rooms for hire, providing a new home for the Gibberd Gallery.

Externally, the proposal will deliver extensive public realm improvements, including a new public square and pocket park, landscaping and improvements to the Haydens Road underpass.

Set to be delivered using £19.6m of investment secured in 2023 via the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the scheme is intrinsically linked to Harlow’s ambitious town centre regeneration programme and the Harlow Town Centre Masterplan Framework and will provide a new, welcoming western gateway into Harlow Town Centre.

Matt Baldwin, Project Director at McBains, commented: “We’re delighted that our designs for a new art and cultural quarter in Harlow have been given the green light. The scheme is set to greatly enhance the area and improve its vibrancy and visitor experience”.

McBains is providing architecture, civil and structural engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, project management, cost management, sustainability advice, CDM and principle designer services to Harlow District Council in relation to the scheme.

In the Media

  • BBC News: Harlow's new arts and cultural quarter gets planning permission - BBC News
  • BBC News: First look at Harlow's new £33.5m arts and cultural quarter plans - BBC News

18th April 2024

You might be interested in...

Sussex Cancer Centre given green light by planners

Sussex Cancer Centre given green light by planners

15th May 2025

The next phase of the Brighton Trauma, Teaching and Tertiary Care (3Ts) redevelopment at the Royal Sussex County Hospital was granted planning permission last week, signalling the green light for the new Sussex Cancer Centre and marking a significant milestone in the transformation of cancer care across the region.

McBains ESG Team Shortlisted for ESG Team of the Year Award

McBains ESG Team Shortlisted for ESG Team of the Year Award

16th April 2025

The McBains ESG team has been shortlisted for ‘ESG Team of the Year’ as part of the Unlock Net Zero Awards, which seek to celebrate individual and organisational contributions to a carbon free future for the UK housing sector.

McBains signs the Armed Forces Covenant

McBains signs the Armed Forces Covenant

03rd April 2025

We’re proud to announce that McBains is now a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.

McBains secures go ahead for 133 new homes within Wixams Village in Bedfordshire

McBains secures go ahead for 133 new homes within Wixams Village in Bedfordshire

01st April 2025

Permission has been granted for a Reserved Matters Planning Application by McBains, on behalf of Vistry Group, for 133 dwellings at Parcel 3.2 within the Wixams Village 3 development in Bedfordshire.

McBains secures place on LHC’s Retrofit and Decarbonisation Framework

McBains secures place on LHC’s Retrofit and Decarbonisation Framework

31st March 2025

We’re delighted to announce that McBains has been appointed to LHC's Retrofit and Decarbonisation (N9) Framework to deliver retrofit solutions for the public sector.

Clive Docwra

PROPERTY INDUSTRY EYE: Why purpose built student accommodation could be the BTR sector to thrive in 2025

21st March 2025

Managing Director of McBains, Clive Docwra shares in opinion in Property Industry Eye, looking at the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector and its growth potential.

McBains Explains

Get the latest insights from McBains and industry news to your inbox each month.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to us storing your data for the purpose of sending you a newsletter.

Explore McBains

  • Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework
  • Architecture
  • Masterplanning & Urban Design
  • Building Services Engineering
  • Building Surveying
  • Civil & Structural Engineering
  • Employer's Agent
  • Project Management
  • Project Monitoring & Due Diligence
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Sustainability & ESG
  • Digital Engineering (BIM)
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Principal Designer / CDM Advisor
  • Education
  • Financial
  • Healthcare
  • Heritage
  • Hotels & Leisure
  • Housing & Masterplanning
  • Industrial
  • Motor Retail
  • Offices
  • Police & Custodial
  • Private Residential
  • Public Sector
  • Retail
  • Social Housing
  • Transport
  • Urban Regeneration

© 2025 McBains – Privacy Policy – Modern Slavery Statement

Brand by David Carroll & Co . Design by Mutual & CIB

Compile your custom collection of content from around McBains to quickly share with your colleagues

Manage collection
Share collection
Download as PDF

Added to collection

Removed from collection

Your download will begin shortly.

https://mcbains.co.uk/s/{shortCode}