GREC3005 - character area

Greene Yards

Old Brewery Quarter

Greene King Brewhouse

Theatre Royal

The Lanes

Water Meadows

Old Brewery Quarter

We are considering a mix of uses including housing, that respect and complement the surrounding area in terms of heritage, listed buildings, density, height, and material palette. This area includes many listed buildings, which could be considered for conversion to alternative uses. Greene King will retain an office presence in Bury St Edmunds and we will engage employees on office needs and preferences in due course. It is likely that our future offices, when chosen, will be located elsewhere in Bury St Edmunds. This means that buildings like Abbot House are being explored for different future use as part of this character area. The images below depict ideas of what this character area could look like:

Existing warehouses could be converted into loft-style apartments, like the Old Granary at Darwin.

New buildings could draw inspiration from the area’s industrial character, as seen at Ironworks in Cambridge.

New apartments could be integrated with other housing types to create a mixed residential environment.

New and existing buildings can combine to create rich, characterful environments, as in the Ice Factory by Buckley Gray Yeoman (photo: Dirk Lindner).

Water Meadows

Our focus for the existing Water Meadows is to enhance biodiversity and restore natural habitats while improving access to nature through footpaths and places to sit, socialise and relax. The Draught Beer Warehouse, which is within the flood zone, has limited options for future use. We are exploring several potential uses for this area, to respond to feedback received during early engagement. The images below depict ideas of what this character area could look like:

Walkable and cyclable routes could be introduced to improve accessibility to nature

The existing water meadows could be enhanced to benefit both people and wildlife.

The Overflow project in the Walks, King’s Lynn (Sensomoto) shows how underused landscapes can be revitalised.

Pond areas could be expanded to help manage flooding.

Greene King Brewhouse

We are exploring how the heritage of Greene King could be reflected through the sensitive reuse of the 1930s brewery building as a distinctive local landmark. This might include options such as a micro-brewery, bar, or event space that could help celebrate local character and add to Westgate’s lively cultural scene, including the Theatre Royal. he images below depict ideas of what the Greene King Brewhouse could look like:

Our preferred approach is to make the 1930s Brewhouse the focal point for Greene King’s retained presence on the site.

The existing beer café could expand into a Greene King shop, similar to Walsingham Farm Shop.

Characterful spaces in the Brewhouse could become dining or event areas, like the at German Gym.

The Wispe Brewery, Amsterdam is an excellent example of an existing building adapted into a microbrewery bar (Buro NØRD).

The 1930s Brewhouse could spill onto Westgate, creating a lively street presence similar to the German Gym at Kings Cross.

The Lanes (south of Westgate Street)

The Lanes is the name we have coined for the area south of Westgate Street, currently constituting the car park, old distribution centre, bowling green and social club. We are exploring the potential for a mix of housing types that respect and complement the surrounding area in terms of heritage, landscape and flood. There is an opportunity to provide some housing that is more suited to families here. The images below depict ideas of what this character area could look like:

Tibby’s Triangle, Southwold by Ash Sakula, is a great example of new housing sensitively integrated into the local context (Photo: Peter Cook).

There is an opportunity for a mix of housing types, including townhouses, as seen at Marmalade Lane, by Mole Architects (Photo: David Christian).

The development could open onto green spaces, like Hinsley Lane, Cambridge (Allies and Morrison).

The new quarter could include nature-based play areas for children.

Theatre Royal

The theatre will be retained. In addition, we are exploring how we can support movement and travel to and from the theatre as part of the wider approach to the site. We are also exploring the potential for flexible venue and community space across the wider site that could be used by the Theatre Royal as rehearsal space, and by other local groups for a variety of community activities.

Greene Yards

We are considering a mix of residential, workshop and community spaces, as well as the possibility of a larger pub garden for the Dog and Partridge. The images below depict ideas of what this character area could look like:

Well-designed public areas can enrich the overall environment, like here at King’s Cross.

Small courtyards and mews, such as Gatti’s Wharf in London, illustrate the potential to create intimate spaces.

The successful conversion of existing granary buildings at King’s Cross demonstrates how industrial structures can be adapted for new uses.

There is an opportunity to enhance the food and drink offer in the area, to complement the Dog & Partridge