West Northamptonshire Council appointed Hawk Heritage to assist them in gaining planning permission for the refurbishment of the Market Square in Northampton. Hawk Heritage negotiated with Historic England and Northampton Borough Council. The square is the largest in England; it sits within a Conservation Area and has many listed buildings that face onto it. The square had, however, become dilapidated and it was decided that it needed major refurbishment of its surfacing, layout, street furniture and internal features. There were major concerns from statutory bodies over the plans, but these concerns were overcome and planning permission was granted for a scheme that has potential to provide a major benefit to Northampton’s tourism and retail offering whilst transforming the square.