Regeneration plans and strategies

The Northampton Town Investment Plan was created by the Northampton Forward Board as a strategy outlining the regeneration objectives and aims of Northampton Town Centre, to help leverage funding and support for strategically important projects and oversee a programme of implementation.

It was adopted in 2019 following extensive consultation and input from key stakeholders.

The projects identified are designed to:

• increase footfall
• create sustainable neighbourhoods
• improve the public realm
• build upon Northampton’s unique heritage

To see a copy of the Northampton Town Investment Plan please contact the team at [email protected].

The Northampton Town Centre Masterplan outlines the overall vision for Northampton Town Centre. Published in 2019, the Masterplan was created and underpinned by a set of design principles, geared towards consolidation of the retail core, growth in density and improved connectivity.

It outlines regeneration opportunities and themes within the Town Centre and most of the proposed projects have now secured funding.

The Town Centre Masterplan focuses on:

• creating a residential community
• stronger and smaller retail core
• transforming the heart
• culture, history and heritage

The Masterplan is also focused on the following zones:

• Abington Street
• Greyfriars
• Market Square
• The Cultural Quarter
• Marefair

The Northampton Place Marketing Strategy is a strategy for the town which aims to: 

• increase inward investment
• increase tourism
• improve local perception and strengthening of civic pride

This strategy involved in-depth research conducted with a range of stakeholders, businesses, residents and people who live, work and study in the town, as well as capturing the views of those externally, to discover current perceptions of Northampton.

It also began to develop the outline ‘big picture’ narrative of what makes Northampton unique and how this can help inform the next stages of work - the development and delivery of the Place Marketing Strategy.

The Daventry Town Centre 2035 Vision sets out a vision for the future of the town centre over the next 15 years. The vision aims to make the town centre a vibrant and attractive destination that meets the needs of its residents and visitors, while also promoting economic growth and sustainability.

The vision has identified several areas of focus and objectives, including:

• creating a healthy and green town centre where walking and cycling infrastructure is improved and parks and green spaces are linked up through a green network integrated into the fabric of the town
• enhancing the town's heritage: The vision recognizes the importance of the town's heritage and aims to enhance and promote it through the development of new heritage trails, public art, and cultural events
• supporting local businesses: The vision aims to support local businesses by creating a more attractive and accessible town centre that encourages footfall and promotes economic growth, with flexible and quality workspace available for businesses
• creating community spaces: The vision aims to create new community spaces that can be used for events, activities, and leisure, to promote social cohesion and community engagement.

If you would like access to PDF copy of the Daventry Vision, then please contact the West Northamptonshire Council Regeneration team at: [email protected].

Daventry Town Centre Masterplan

The Daventry Town Centre Masterplan is developed on the principles established in the Daventry Vision 2035 and identifies a range of key development opportunities and public realm improvements within the Town Centre. These will act as a catalyst for economic growth, whilst also improving the quality of life for residents of Daventry.

The Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone Delivery Plan focuses on the priority key sites within the Enterprise Zone. The report sets out the activities required to bring forward the priority sites for development as well as identifying the timescales for delivery and the socio-economic benefits associated with the sites.

To see a copy of the Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone Delivery Plan, please email [email protected].

Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone

The Waterside Enterprise Zone was launched in 2011 and capitalises on Northampton’s clear economic strength.

Covering more than 20 sites along the River Nene, the Zone offers an ideal location for businesses to locate, grow and succeed. The Enterprise Zone is a vibrant commercial district and includes growing small businesses as well as major global brands.

Stretching from the western edge of Northampton right across to the town centre, the Zone is a diverse area, alive with innovation and enterprise. It encompasses a range of brownfield development opportunities, some of which have now been developed since its inception, as well as St James Mill Road Industrial Estate and local sports stadium sites.

Led by the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, the Zone, when established and until 2021 provided a powerful package of benefits to new businesses. Although these incentives have now ceased the advantages of investing in such a well-connected, dynamic town are still clear.

The University of Northampton Waterside Campus

The £330m brand new University Waterside Campus was built on a site by the River Nene which housed derelict buildings including the old Northampton power station.

The build took 4 years to complete and replaces 2 former campuses. The project also saw an old Victorian rail shed being rebuilt and refurbished into a new student union building.

The campus was built with the following principles in mind:

• open campus, for the community
• sensitive to its surroundings
• accessible, with cycle routes linking the town centre and Delapre Park
• designed to promote sustainable travel
• sustainable low carbon campus
• supporting a digitally transformed University

Hellerman Tyton & Veolia

In 2017, the construction of a new 3,948m² industrial unit was completed, ready for occupation by Hellermann Tyton. The new unit is located off Edgar Mobbs Way, in an established industrial location.

St John’s Student Accommodation

In 2012, construction began on the former St Johns Street surface level car park to deliver student accommodation for the University of Northampton. The St Johns Student accommodation provides a mixture of 1 and 2 bedroom accommodation.

Premier Inn Hotel

The new 104-bedroom Premier Inn at Albion Place in central Northampton was completed in 2015. Developed on Council owned land, the scheme has played an important role in the on-going regeneration of the cultural quarter. The hotel was forecasted to create 35 jobs.

Carlsberg Bottling Plant

Carlsberg, one of the world’s largest brewing firms, has expanded its Northampton site with a £20 million, 6,788 square metre bottling plant, creating up to 60 new jobs. The scheme, which also includes related offices and covered car parking, will double the amount of bottled beer that can be produced on the site and bring manufacturing back to the UK from abroad and expanding Denmark trade links. The new plant opened in March 2013.

Northampton Railway Station

The £20 million transformation of Northampton Railway Station was completed in 2015. The new station is an iconic new gateway to Northampton, has doubled the capacity of the existing station and is supporting the long-term economic growth of the town.

Cosworth new HQ

Cosworth, the world-renowned UK performance engineering and manufacturing group, created its new £12 million Advanced Manufacturing Centre in the Enterprise Zone. The state-of-the-art 38,000 square foot facility represents the next phase in a period of growth and development for Cosworth with support and backing from the UK government. Around 70 new jobs and apprenticeships will be created as a result of the investment.

The Greyfriars Vision sets out a vision for the development of the Greyfriars site by creating a new neighbourhood, with vibrant green spaces and improved connectivity within the town centre. 

Greyfriars will provide new homes for all and breathe life and energy into abandoned spaces. It will restitch forgotten connections and create new ones, amplifying the impact of nature and creativity throughout.

The vision focuses on several key areas of focus, including:

• improved linkages and connections by opening up Emporium Way as an accessible pedestrian link into the heart of Greyfriars and creating better connectivity for travelling around the town centre by transforming Lady’s Lane and Greyfriars into 2-way streets
• introducing green outdoor spaces as a place for visitors and residents to relax, play and socialise.  Visioning an outdoor amphitheatre, a play park and vibrant greenery
• an improved bus station to increase the efficiency of the current facilities and travel services
• opportunity for new retail and leisure spaces to provide residents with new facilities and spaces to relax
• revitalising disused derelict buildings into cultural and creative hubs with the revamping of The Corn Exchange and Belgrave House, transforming The Corn Exchange into a creative events space and Belgrave House into a cultural hub for collaborative working
• a range of intergenerational living with later living, affordable homes, build-to-rent, build-to-sell and student living all incorporated into the scheme, attracting a range of new residents into the community