In 2004 Bedford Council held an open competition for the redevelopment of vacant land between the historic Castle Mound and the High Street.
Flannery and de la Pole proposed the creation of a new Wall of building following the historic line of the original Castle walls. The outside of the Wall facing the town was to be massive and solid, whilst the inside facing the Castle, with views to the river, was to be as light and open as possible. Public roof terraces were to be connected to the Castle Mound by a slender pedestrian bridge.
