Client: Bury Mount, Towcester

Project: South Northamptonshire Council

Bury Mount is the remains of an earthwork motte and bailey fortification which is a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument. At the time it was purchased by South Northamptonshire Council, Bury Mount was in a very poor condition and was identified as being at “High Risk” in the Scheduled Monuments at Risk study.
Ashley Godfrey Associates was commissioned to prepare an Audience Development Plan for the Mount and its environs, to promote Bury Mount and its environs as the hub of a potential heritage ‘offer’ for Towcester.
We undertook extensive consultations with stakeholders and local interest groups following which we were able to identify a number of alternative futures for the site. We assessed the potential advantages and disadvantages of each option and concluded that Bury Mount should be developed as an accessible green space at the centre of a regenerated Moat Lane area.
The Council adopted our recommendations and today, Bury Mount has been restored and has become an important open space within this part of the town, providing a focal point for the area. The open space provides a new venue for the town with a wide variety of events and uses, ranging from informal play to organised outdoor events such as concerts, all in the natural amphitheatre created by the Mount. The space provides the local community with a meeting point and will become a focus for community activities. In 2011, Bury Mount won the restoration category at the Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence.

Before...

...and after!