Plans to transform one of Northampton’s largest derelict sites and provide much-needed housing are set to move forward as West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has now bought the former St James’ Depot.
The Council has completed on the purchase of the site totalling 4.5 acres and will now carry out the necessary steps to ensure the area benefits from regeneration to meet the needs of the local community.
The site to the west of Northampton town centre has stood vacant for more than a decade. The future scheme will complement the wider extensive regeneration of Northampton, and this area has been identified to significantly benefit from redevelopment.
The Council has acquired the site from Church’s Shoes and will now carry out a detailed feasibility report to deliver much-needed affordable housing. On a key route into the town centre, it is important for local businesses and the local community that the best regeneration and economic potential of the area is realised.
To match market offers, WNC purchased the site at £3 million, with a further £300k budgeted towards legal fees, stamp duty and future remedial work. This work will follow on from the previous works which Church’s have carried out to the site.
Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth at WNC, said: “The former St James Bus Depot represents a prominent large brownfield site, close to Northampton town centre.
“This important landmark site has been vacant for some time, and we are dedicated to bringing forward a scheme that reflects the history of the area where appropriate and provides high-quality affordable housing which meets local needs. We look forward to carrying out further feasibility work and necessary planning to bring forward a viable scheme.
“Concerned that the site was heading for use as open storage, which we felt would not benefit residents, or maximise the contribution it could make to the attractiveness and the overall life of this area, the council felt that it was essential to step in and acquire the site.
“Following cross-party consultation, the council therefore took swift action using delegated powers, to ensure the site benefited from considered regeneration.”
In order to deliver the regeneration project, WNC will seek funding opportunities through the Enterprise Zone and Government’s brownfield land release fund. The brownfield land release fund seeks to provide Councils with funding to develop empty industrial sites to provide much-needed local housing.
