New projects for 2014

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A large number of projects have been added to the Northampton Alive regeneration programme for 2014, almost doubling the number to more than 40.

This leaflet provides brief details of all the new projects and explains how they fit into our wider plans for the town.

Northampton is one of the UK’s most progressive towns and top of the pile for business.

New projects for 2014

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Dallington GrangeNorthampton Borough Council is to build 100 new council homes on land at Dallington Grange, adjacent to the King’s Heath and Rye Hill estates. The land, that is part of a larger development, will create social housing for families.

Extension of Northampton Museum & Gallery A £14 million extension of Northampton Museum and Art Gallery will double the size of the exhibition space and create new galleries, teaching facilities and a retail area. The development will position Northampton as a leading regional museum focussed on history, art and Northampton’s footwear heritage.

Business Incentive SchemeA new £250,000 fund to support businesses, with grants to improve the appearance of vacant and occupied units in the town centre and over £100,000 to help businesses looking to set up or relocate in Northampton.

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Abington Street re-opening to trafficThe middle section of Abington Street will re-open to traffic, one way, from St Giles Terrace to Wellington Street, creating up to 40 short-stay parking and dropping off bays, and bringing shoppers right into the heart of the town.

North GateThe historic gateways to Northampton will be marked to celebrate the town’s heritage. The town’s defensive wall existed from medieval times until 1669 and had five gates, including North Gate, which has already been commemorated in the new bus station, and will be marked further as an area of historical significance.

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Guildhall Road enhancement work Work will take place on Guildhall Road, at the heart of the Cultural Quarter, to widen the pavements, allowing space for cafes and street entertainment. Parking spaces will be created on both sides of the road.

Abington Park MuseumThere will be a major refurbishment of Abington Park museum, focussing on the building’s connection with William Shakespeare and on the history of the Northamptonshire Regiments. Parts of the building - known as Abington Manor - could be used for conferences and weddings.

Cultural Quarter boutique hotelA boutique hotel will be created by private developers at 13 Guildhall Road. There will be a high-quality restaurant and up to ten stylish rooms, making an attractive offer in the heart of the Cultural Quarter.

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Boot & Shoe QuarterThe Boot & Shoe Quarter will recognise the important heritage of the area around the Mounts, the historic core of Northampton’s boot and shoe industry. A steering group will encourage the development of independent businesses and arts events in the area.

Northampton Castle Railway Station Phase II

A 1,300-space, multi-storey car park will be built on a 5.4 hectare site in the Enterprise Zone adjacent to the new Northampton Castle Railway Station. The project, which is a partnership between Northampton Borough Council and Network Rail, will also bring high-quality commercial space.

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Maple Buildings (Hope Centre)Maple Buildings is a three-storey building at Ash Street, owned by Northampton Borough Council, which needs renovation. The council has granted Northampton Hope Centre, a charity that supports the homeless and vulnerable, a 125-year lease to refurbish the building and deliver training, employment and other rehabilitation services.

Athletics TrackThe multi-million pound expansion and enhancement of Sixfields stadium takes in part of the outdated track facilities. These will be reprovided to a high standard at Moulton College in a partnership between Northampton Borough Council, the Rugby & Northampton Athletics Association, Moulton College and the Cobblers.

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Canal towpathsA two-mile pathway following the Grand Union Canal in the centre of Northampton will be brought back into use as a footpath and cycleway in a £300,000 project. The scheme will create a safe and attractive route to travel into Northampton and link up with existing paths and cycle ways.

Cycle CoNNectA £150,000 cycle hire scheme will connect ten sites including the town centre, university campuses and Brackmills Industrial Estate. The scheme promotes cheap and sustainable transport for anyone looking to get around Northampton.

Barrack Road schoolA £20 million Northamptonshire County Council initiative to turn a former Royal Mail sorting office into a school, financed by the Education Funding Agency. The school is expected to open in September 2016 as a free school.

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FOUR St Peter’s WatersideA landmark new office development at one of the key gateways to Northampton town centre will create four 50,000 sq ft contemporary office buildings along with associated amenities including coffee shops and cafes. The site is adjacent to the newly developed Northampton Castle Railway Station in an attractive riverside setting.

EastgateThe historic gateways to Northampton will be marked to celebrate the town’s heritage. Signs and an interpretation board will outline the history of the town’s defensive wall which existed from medieval times until 1669, and had five gates, including Eastgate, located at the present junction of Abington Street, Lower Mounts, York Road, and Abington Square.

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Vulcan WorksA major redevelopment of the former Vulcan Iron Works site in Guildhall Road will play a significant part in the emerging Cultural Quarter. This hub for creative industries, which is grade II listed, will offer managed workspace, studios, retail and entertainment space for up to 70 businesses, creating around 240 jobs.

St Edmund’sA scheme is being prepared which will see the St Edmund’s Hospital site brought back into use. Detailed plans will be submitted to Northampton Borough Council in the summer which will be the first phase of development for care-related uses.

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This document was designed to complement the original Northampton Alive booklet, published in February 2014, outlining the programme at that time.

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