The designation of Crawley as a New Town alongside the development of Gatwick Airport, were the primary drivers behind the emergence of the Manor Royal Business District (MRBD). Today, the area is home to more than 500 businesses and provides approximately 30,000 jobs. Although the area, with links to London and Gatwick Airport, is very well situated in the market, the quality of the built environment is generally poor. There is a huge scarcity of open space and facilities, the area is confusing to navigate, lacking landmarks and green infrastructure, and the majority of people make their journeys by car rather than cycling, walking or public transport. Allen Scott were appointed by MRBD, a business improvement district in Crawley, West Sussex to produce a prospectus of capital improvement projects that could be delivered over an extended period of time to address the above issues. Crawter’s Brook is the first public realm project to be delivered from the prospectus. Crawter’s Brook was a neglected and undervalued remnant field parcel and woodland in an otherwise built-up industrial area. The site functions as a wildlife corridor, following the line of a canalized stream until it meets a SNCI 300m to the north. It also functions as a flood attenuation area. The land has been subject to a number of development proposals over the years, but due to the above constraints remained undeveloped. Planning policy states that amenity open space, nature conservation and recreation are classified as ‘water compatible developments’, and as such appropriate activities can take place as long as the area remains operational and safe for users in times of flood and does not result in a loss of storage capacity or increase flood risk elsewhere. The brief was to provide a new public park that would act as a catalyst and precedent for the regeneration of other neglected pieces of land; to create a distinct landmark at one of the key entrances to the business district; and to ensure that the proposals and future upkeep are designed, delivered and managed sustainably. The brief emphasised the need to find new and more co-operative ways of looking after projects once they are completed and involving local people.