Key, distinguished

06 November 2023

Plans to rework certainly one of Northampton’s largest derelict websites and supply much-needed high-quality housing are set to maneuver ahead as West Northamptonshire Council has now accomplished on the acquisition the previous St James’ Depot.

West Northamptonshire Council is happy to announce that the Council has accomplished on the acquisition of the positioning totalling 4.5 acres and can now perform the required steps to make sure the realm advantages from regeneration to satisfy the wants of our local people.

The positioning to the west of Northampton city centre has stood vacant for greater than a decade. The longer term scheme will complement the broader intensive regeneration of Northampton, and this space has been recognized to considerably profit from redevelopment.

The Council has acquired the positioning from Church’s Footwear and can now perform an in depth feasibility report back to ship much-needed reasonably priced housing. On a key route into the city centre, it will be important for native companies and the local people that one of the best regeneration and financial potential of the realm is realised.

To match market presents, WNC bought the positioning at £3 million, with an extra £300k budgeted in direction of authorized charges, stamp responsibility and future remedial work. This work will comply with on from the earlier works which Church’s have carried out to the positioning.

The previous St James Bus Depot represents a distinguished giant brownfield website, near Northampton city centre. This essential landmark website has been vacant for a while, and we’re devoted to bringing ahead a scheme that displays the historical past of the realm the place applicable and gives high-quality reasonably priced housing which meets native wants. We look ahead to finishing up additional feasibility work and needed planning to convey ahead a viable scheme.

Involved that the positioning was heading to be used as open storage, which we felt wouldn’t profit residents, or maximise the contribution it might make to the attractiveness and the general lifetime of this space, the council felt that it was important to step in and purchase the positioning.  Following cross-party session, the council due to this fact took swift motion utilizing delegated powers, to make sure the positioning benefited from thought of regeneration.

Cllr Dan Lister, Cupboard Member for Financial Growth, City Centre Regeneration and Progress at WNC

With a purpose to ship the regeneration undertaking, WNC will search funding alternatives by the Enterprise Zone and Authorities’s brownfield land launch fund. The brownfield land launch fund seeks to offer Councils with funding to develop empty industrial websites to offer much-needed native housing.

To remain updated on the regeneration of Northampton, go to the We Are Northampton website.