Wayne Hemingway unveils new Hillington Square design

Plans for the new-look Hillington Square will be on view for the next month

Designer Wayne Hemingway has unveiled his plans for the regeneration of a rundown Norfolk housing estate.

Artist's impressions of the redesign of Hillington Square in King's Lynn went on display at the town hall on Tuesday.

A month-long period of further consultation on the revamp of the 1960s complex will now go ahead before plans are submitted for approval.

"When I first arrived, we looked at it and it looks like it has landed from outer space," said Mr Hemingway.

"It looked like a fortress had been put up.

"And from the community themselves, you start to find out that actually it's almost like Hillington Square has got a negative brand."

The designer, who launched the Red or Dead fashion label with his wife Geraldine, started his affordable social design firm in 1999 after selling his clothing brand.

He said he was keen to introduce the concept of community living to the "unloved" town centre estate, which is owned by Freebridge Community Housing.

"The main thing that we want to do is knit it back into King's Lynn," said Mr Hemingway at the design launch in the town.

"It doesn't feel like you want to linger about at all whether you're passing through or a resident."

The former council-owned estate, which comprises 320 properties, is to have a former road, Union Street, reinstated and spaces for community enterprises and businesses will be created.

The plans will be on view at King's Lynn Town Hall for the next month.