November 6, 2023
Plans to transform one of Northampton's largest derelict sites and provide much-needed high-quality housing will go ahead as West Northamptonshire Council has completed the purchase of the former St James' Depot.
West Northamptonshire Council is pleased to announce that it has completed the purchase of the site totaling 4.5 acres and will now carry out the necessary measures to ensure the area benefits from regeneration to meet the needs of our local community .
The site west of Northampton town center has been empty for more than a decade. The future scheme will complement the wider regeneration of Northampton, and this area has been identified as set to benefit significantly from the redevelopment.
The Council has acquired the Church's Shoes site and will now carry out a detailed feasibility report to deliver much-needed affordable housing. On a key route to the city centre, it is important for local businesses and the local community that the best economic and regeneration potential of the area is harnessed.
To match market offers, WNC bought the site for ยฃ3 million, with a further ยฃ300,000 budgeted for legal fees, stamp duty and future repair work. This work will be a continuation of previous work that the Church has carried out at the site.
The former St James's bus station represents a large, prominent derelict site, close to Northampton town centre. This important landmark site has been vacant for some time and we are dedicated to bringing forward a plan that reflects the history of the area where appropriate and provides high quality affordable housing that meets local needs. We look forward to carrying out further feasibility work and the necessary planning to present a viable plan.Concerned that the site would be used as open storage, which we considered would not benefit residents or maximize the contribution it could make to the overall attractiveness and life of this area, the council felt it was essential to intervene and acquire the site. Therefore, following cross-party consultation, the council took swift action using delegated powers to ensure the site benefited from considered regeneration.
Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and Town Center Growth in WNC
To deliver the regeneration project, WNC will seek funding opportunities through the Enterprise Zone and the Government's brownfield land release fund. The Brownfield Release Fund seeks to provide councils with funding to develop empty industrial sites to provide much-needed local housing.
To stay up to date on Northampton's regeneration, visit the We are the Northampton website.
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