Demolition plans for vacant bus depot submitted
Plans have been submitted for the demolition of part of a derelict bus depot to make way for housing.
West Northamptonshire Council received £1.368m from the government's Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) to restore the St James Bus Depot, fronting the A4500 in Northampton.
The authority has now submitted a prior notification of its intention to raze the 1930s bus garage.
But the Grade II-listed Transport Office at the front of St James' Road will not form part of the demolition.
According to the submission, the asbestos will be removed from the site, along with other fittings and fixtures in the tram shed.
The plans include the retention of the original tram facades, with "tramshed terraces" in between and new-build maisonettes and townhouses across the rest of the site.
The authority previously stated that up to 91 homes could be provided, as well as new public space.
Now-defunct Northampton Borough Council sold St James Bus Depot in 2014 to a shoe firm which planned to move there, but West Northamptonshire Council bought it back nearly a decade later.
According to planning documents, demolition work on the bus stop was expected to start as early as May, with a predicted completion date of 31 July.
The council will be able to seek a development partner for the housing scheme once remedial works have finished.
Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Restoring bus depot will 'boost' town - council
Three derelict sites to be brought back into use
LDRS
West Northamptonshire Council
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
West Northamptonshire Council and ECF sign deal for Greyfriars regeneration
West Northamptonshire Council and English Cities Fund (ECF), a joint venture between Legal & General, Homes England, and Muse, have formalised an agreement to initiate the Greyfriars regeneration project in Northampton, England. The scheme aims to revive a part of the town centre into an inclusive community space with over 1,000 new homes, as well as employment opportunities, green spaces, and cultural destinations. The 25-acre regeneration area encompasses several key sites, including the former Greyfriars Bus Station and the Corn Exchange. The development plans promise a diverse residential offering, with affordable housing, build-to-rent options, and student accommodation. The project will also introduce new retail, café, and restaurant spaces, alongside leisure facilities. A significant aspect of the Greyfriars scheme is the creation of a public realm, featuring an outdoor amphitheatre and revitalised green spaces. The development will also focus on improving pedestrian and cycling routes, fostering sustainable travel and better connecting Greyfriars with the wider town centre and adjacent communities. During the construction phase, up to 7,000 full-time equivalent jobs are expected to be created. The scheme is also anticipated to unlock over £1bn ($1.35bn) in economic value. Upon completion, the development could increase local spending by approximately £21m annually, offering a boost to businesses throughout Northampton and the broader West Northamptonshire region. ECF chair Sir Michael Lyons said: 'West Northamptonshire Council has set out a bold vision for Greyfriars and we are looking forward to our collaborative and positive partnership. 'Entering a development agreement will enable us to take the next important step in the delivery of this important opportunity. It's a chance to enhance Northampton town centre with new homes, workspaces, retail, culture, and public spaces. 'Together, we will move at pace to deliver a master plan proposal which delivers against this opportunity.' Community engagement with locals during the development process is stated to be integral to shaping the redevelopment of the Greyfriars area. This development agreement follows a development management services agreement signed this January. "West Northamptonshire Council and ECF sign deal for Greyfriars regeneration" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Reform UK to give council Musk-style audit
Reform UK plans to send its Elon Musk-style Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) team into West Northamptonshire Council to assess "wasteful spending". The council has become one of the frontrunners to receive a visit from the party's new audit team, including software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors. However, a party spokesperson said there was not currently a timetable for the Northamptonshire visit. The authority's Conservative group leader said savings could be achieved "without the gimmicks". Reform UK took 42 of the 76 seats in the council after the local elections on 1 May to run it as a majority. The party took control of eight authorities from the Conservatives - including neighbouring North Northamptonshire - along with Doncaster from Labour and Durham, which was run as a coalition. The idea follows the US Doge, which was launched in January after President Donald Trump took office to cut federal spending. Billionaire Musk was involved but has since left his position spearheading the unit. Reform UK chair Zia Yusuf announced on X that West Northamptonshire and Lancashire were next in line to be visited by the audit team. Reform UK claimed the work would be completed free of charge. The party said the unit would use artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis tools to find any waste. Although the Doge team would be able to give tips and tricks, elected councillors and leadership would decide whether to act on recommendations. A Reform UK party spokesperson said: "The taskforce will identify and eliminate wasteful spending, increasing transparency and ensuring taxpayer money is spent solely on activity that benefits local people." Mark Arnull, Reform UK leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: "Since forming the council's new political administration we have been working closely with senior officers, building good relationships and meeting regularly as we start to shape our future priorities for communities across West Northants." Daniel Lister, leader of the Tory opposition, said: "We made over £115m in efficiency savings under the last Conservative administration and we were committed to finding even more, so we know savings can be achieved without the gimmicks. "This new so-called 'efficiency unit', parachuted in and styled on the Trump/Musk Doge model in the United States, delivered only a fraction of the promised savings over there, while increasing spending and gutting support for veterans, the homeless and other essential services. Is that really the reform people voted for? "We will be watching closely to ensure the key services our communities rely on are not sacrificed for short-term political theatre." Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening the first cabinet meeting of the new Reform UK-led council was disrupted by clean air campaigners. It was paused after a number of public speakers refused to stop talking when asked by the leader of the council, and cabinet members briefly left the room. Protestors from Clean Air Northampton and 1,000 Voices spoke on an item about a public space protection order to stop car cruising, which was eventually supported by cabinet - and will be implemented for a maximum period of three years with the opportunity to extend. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Car cruising may be banned under new order Reform UK councillor 'honoured' to lead authority Reform council leader criticised on net zero stance Local Democracy Reporting Service West Northamptonshire Council
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Yahoo
Council backs next stage of major housing plan
A plan to build 278 new homes has been approved by councillors as part of a larger housing development. The homes, approved by West Northamptonshire Council, will be built on land between Harpole and Duston in Northampton, as part of the second phase of the Norwood Farm project. In total, the wider project will deliver 1,900 homes, along with shops, a school, and public green spaces. The decision was made during the first planning meeting since Reform UK took control of the local authority at the recent local elections. The latest plans include a mix of one to four-bedroom properties and of the 278 homes, 139 will be affordable. Planning officers said this was 92 more affordable homes than the developers were required to provide. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) each home will have its own parking space, and extra visitor spaces will be added along the roads. Green areas are also planned around the edges of the site. The area covered in the upcoming phase is in the north-west part of the Norwood Farm site and is divided by New Sandy Lane. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Plans for 120 homes in urban extension approved West Northamptonshire Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
