Estates Management

Estates Management

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) owns and operates a substantial portfolio of approximately 1,700 assets. These were inherited from its predecessor Councils: Northamptonshire County Council, Northampton Borough Council, South Northamptonshire District Council and Daventry District Council, or have been acquired or built since WNC became operational. 

The portfolio is managed and maintained by our Property Strategy and Estates, Facilities, Public Realm & Heritage, and Works teams who together to form the Assets and Environment Service within the Place, Economy & Environment Directorate. These teams work together, and in partnership with other services across the Council, to ensure that our properties are fit for purpose to support service objectives and transformation goals, are health and safety compliant, and are managed effectively to minimise costs and maximise revenue generating opportunities in support of wider Council objectives. 

The Council’s property portfolio is a critical enabler of the services we deliver. It includes a wide range of operational assets such as corporate offices (e.g. One Angel Square in Northampton and The Forum in Towcester), schools, care homes, libraries, children’s centres, leisure centres, museums, and depots. These buildings provide the essential accommodation from which vital services are delivered to residents across West Northamptonshire.

Our portfolio also includes non-operational assets. These assets do not in themselves directly deliver Council services but are instead let to private tenants and comprise office, retail, and industrial properties. Tenants include organisations that provide wider social, economic, and environmental benefits to residents as well as private businesses. These tenancies generate significant income which are used to support the delivery of the Councils statutory services and wider corporate objectives. 

Social Housing Portfolio

The Councils also owns approximately 12,000 residential properties as part of its social housing portfolio. These properties are not directly managed by our Assets & Environment Service but are managed through Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH). the Council’s arm’s length management organisation (ALMO).

The Role of the Property Strategy and Estates Department

The Property Strategy and Estates team manages:

• Rent reviews and Lease Renewals within the operational and non-operational portfolios.
  • Disposals and Acquisitions
  • Ownership Records (including management of the Estates Management (CAFM) and Terrier systems)
  • Boundary disputes / Encroachment
  • Letting of vacant commercial properties
  • Wayleaves and Easements across or benefitting WNC land / property
  • The delivery of a 5-year rolling programme of asset and insurance valuations for financial reporting
  • The administration of the Voluntary, Community, Social enterprise, and Faith Group Property Policy
  • The administration of the Asset of Community Value process

A key objective of the team is to ensure that the Council’s extensive property portfolio is utilised to deliver the best possible services for the residents of West Northamptonshire. We work closely with all service areas to understand their current and future operational requirements, enabling us to develop fit‑for‑purpose and innovative property solutions. By analysing key property metrics, such as tenure, size, running costs, energy efficiency, and building condition, we support the Council in making informed, evidence based and sustainable property decisions.

Property and land for sale or to let

While the Council seeks to minimise any vacant property, given the nature of its portfolio it is likely that some properties will become available to let or for sale during the year. While some of this work is managed in house by the Property Strategy and Estates Team, where appropriate it does also work closely with external commercial agents who market the properties on the Councils behalf. 

For more information on the properties that the Council currently has available to let or for sale, read about property available to rent or buy.

Voluntary, Community, Social enterprise and Faith Group Property Policy

The VCS use of property policy outlines our relationship with VCS organisations, providing premises based on guiding principles. Generally, leases are at market value unless qualifying for a concession.

See the spreadsheet below for the list of available VCS properties.

Register your interest

If any of the properties are of interest, eligible groups would need to complete the online application form before the relevant consideration date highlighted in the table.

We will assess your application form based on the criteria set out in the Policy on the Voluntary, Community, Social enterprise, and Faith Group use of property. If successful, we might ask you for further documentation including a business case.

Assets of Community Value

Under the Localism Act 2011, the Community Right to Bid process enables eligible community groups and entities to nominate land or property (in private and public ownership) to be registered on the Assets of Community Value Register (ACVR). The process is designed to offer communities greater opportunities to take ownership of assets and facilities important to them.

For more information on the Assets of Community Value Process and to submit a request to nominate an Asset please visit our Assets of Community Value page.

Contact us

If you need any help or more information, please contact us:

• by telephone: 0300 126 1267
• on email: [email protected]
• or completing our online form

You can also write to us at:

Property Strategy and Estates Department
West Northamptonshire Council
One Angel Square
Angel Street
Northampton
NN1 1ED

Last updated 16 April 2026