West Northamptonshire Council is taking the next step to deliver hundreds of new homes following a Cabinet meeting where plans to refresh and progress three major housing developments were approved.
The revised approach will enable the Council to recover investment made to date, reduce holding costs and deliver much-needed housing, with a focus on building sustainable, balanced communities and delivering affordable homes wherever viable.
Councillor Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “We remain absolutely committed to delivering the homes our communities need. By taking forward these revised proposals, we’re ensuring best value for the public purse while doing everything possible to deliver new, high-quality housing – including affordable homes – in a financially sustainable way.”
The report approved by Cabinet outlines progress across three key sites, including:
Avenue Campus
The Council’s new delivery strategy for Avenue Campus will see the site progressed in phases as a market-led development of between 113 and 170 new homes. The revised approach gives the Council the greatest chance to recover £13.7 million funding already invested, with affordable housing introduced providing the project recoups its costs or demonstrates financial parity with market homes. The scheme has already secured £1 million in government Brownfield Land Release Funding, helping to unlock future delivery.
Roof Gardens and Castle Street
Located in Spring Boroughs, the Council will bring forward a revised scheme at the Roof Gardens site to deliver 58 new affordable homes – complementing the 24 affordable homes already completed at Castle Street. Together, these 82 homes will replace the same number that were demolished, aligning with the Council’s Housing Strategy and Affordable Homes Delivery Plan launched in November 2024. Further approvals for construction and financing will return to Cabinet in due course.
Belgrave House
The Belgrave House development will now form part of the wider Greyfriars regeneration masterplan in partnership with English Cities Fund, unlocking the potential for new jobs, improved public space and long-term economic benefits for the town centre.
The revised delivery plans will continue to seek external funding, aiming to deliver the most homes possible, in a way that is sustainable and aligned with community needs.
