Working with the local Town Team and Parish Council Estell Warren prepared a detailed public realm design to re-invigorate the town centre of Sherburn-in-Elmet, focusing on transforming the main street into a pedestrian-friendly place and creating a new market square.  Technically a town, the people of Sherburn preferred their settlement to be viewed as a ‘village’.  After looking at examples of other similar sized places it was agreed that a ‘French village’ character, with simple intimate spaces, crunchy gravel and clipped trees was appropriate.

The wide road was squeezed down, raised crossings inserted and adjoining spaces broken down and defined by groups of clipped and flowering trees.  Traditional materials were proposed in the form of stone seats, sett surfaces and chippings within conventional bitmac, transforming the whole from a ‘highway’ to a place which reflects underlying geology (Magnesian limestone), local character and history.