conrad was the project architect for this mixed use development and was involved up to the planning submission. the scheme brief consisted of retail and restaurant facilities at ground floor level, 52 high-end modern apartments and 18 contemporary flats for social housing on the floors above. the scheme formed part of an overall masterplan to create an extension to the shopping hub along the river chelmer, thus linking this new retail development with the southern area of the chelmsford high street. extensive negotiations had to be held with the planners and environment agency due to the location of the site being in a flood plain. this led to a solution of flood attenuation tanks and ensuring that the design allowed for all residential units to be at first floor level or above.