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Contract signed to transform old bus station site

Martin Heath
BBC News, Northamptonshire
ECF Drawing of a vision of the project, featuring couples and groups of people on a pavement with modern buildings either side and beyond. There are steps in the distance up to an upper level of buildings. The building to the right of the picture has white pillars.ECF
The council said the project would "unlock the true potential of Northampton"

An agreement has been signed to transform the site of an old bus station that was demolished a decade ago.

The Greyfriars development in Northampton will include 1,000 homes, an amphitheatre, shops and restaurants.

The 25-acre (10.1ha) site also includes two existing car parks, a disused corn exchange, and a derelict office block.

West Northamptonshire Council said the deal would "revitalise a long-neglected area of the heart of the town centre".

Brick-built bus station, partly covered in blue sheeting, with a large cloud of dust on the left side following the detonation of demolition explosives. There is a multi-storey building to the right and a car park to the left.
The site includes the space left by the demolition of the old bus station in 2015

Ever since Northampton's Greyfriars bus station, labelled "the mouth of hell", disappeared in a huge cloud of dust in 2015, the site has been vacant and unused.

The agreement that has now been signed means work could be starting soon on a project that will, according to the council, "unlock the true potential of Northampton".

The signatures on the document are those of the council and ECF which is a joint venture between the government's Homes England agency and private firms Legal & General and "placemakers" Muse.

ECF A drawing showing modern buildings on either side. The building to the right is divided into squares and has both two and three storey sections. There are trees in front of this building. The building on the left rises above the height of the picture and has a tree in front of it. There is a paved area between the two buildings on which people are walking.ECF
The vision includes affordable homes as well as built-to-rent houses and student accommodation

As well as the bus station site, the regeneration area includes the Mayorhold and Victoria Street Car Parks and the traffic islands either side of the bus station.

There is also the Corn Exchange, built in 1851, and Belgrave House - a giant 1970s brutalist office block.

Under the plans, Belgrave House is set to become a "flexible space for established and emergent businesses".

ECF Green area with grass and trees in the centre with walkways either side. There is a tall building to the left with a grey roof and a single-storey roof to the right on which people are standing. There is a multi-storey building beyond to the right and a church in the distance.ECF
A new linear park is included in the vision along what is now Lady's Lane

The Corn Exchange is likely to be turned into art and performance space, alongside a new amphitheatre on what is now the West Island.

A park is included in the plan, occupying the area which is now Lady's Lane.

The plans include affordable, built-to-rent and student accommodation alongside shops, restaurants and leisure facilities.

The council claims 7,000 full-time equivalent jobs will be created during the construction phase and "over £1bn in economic value" will be "unlocked".

Martin Heath/BBC James Petter with short dark hair and grey beard, wearing a blue jacket, light blue shirt and pink and black tie, with a light blue reform rosette. He is smiling and clapping alongside other people similarly occupied at an election count.Martin Heath/BBC
Reform UK's James Petter, nearest the camera, said the project would strengthen the local economy

James Petter, cabinet member for local economy at the Reform UK-controlled council, said: "The regeneration of Greyfriars will not only revitalise a key part of our town centre but also strengthen our local economy, improve connectivity, and create a more inclusive and vibrant place to live, work, and visit."

Sir Michael Lyons, who chairs ECF, said: "Entering a development agreement will enable us to take the next important step in the delivery of this important opportunity."

He added that both parties would now "move at pace" to deliver a masterplan for the project.

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