The Construction Futures scheme, which is the first of its kind in the UK, makes the delivery of apprenticeships a legal requirement for developers that receive planning permission.  Established by the WNDC, the scheme is helping local planning authorities create new jobs for their communities.

Young trainees and apprentices have been working on sites across Northamptonshire as part of the programme. They are recruited from local colleges, who work in partnership with the Construction Futures team, the local planning authorities, and the building contractors.

Chris Millar, Leader of Daventry District Council said: “This scheme ensures local communities directly benefit from the job opportunities created on new construction sites. It is a simple but innovative model that local planning authorities across the country could follow. I really think it has the potential to make a national impact”

Neil Dellar, Head of the Construction Faculty at Moulton College said: “We have found the Construction Futures scheme to be a very effective link between our students studying at Moulton College and industry. It’s a powerful way of helping them make the transition into the world of work, which is crucial at a time when the first step onto the job market is getting increasingly more difficult”

Despite an increase in public funding and a 50% rise in apprenticeships in the country as a whole, the number of construction apprenticeships started in 2010/11 only rose by 5%. The industry generally has poor links with training providers and is suffering from the recession more than most sectors. Construction Futures has proved to be an effective solution to the problem.

Trainees from the Construction Futures scheme were visited by Business Secretary Vince Cable during a recent visit to Northampton. He saw the national potential of the approach and commented: “Northampton is showing that despite tough economic conditions there are still innovative ways that new jobs and growth can be delivered at a local level. I am particularly pleased to see apprentices working on live construction sites as part of the Construction Futures scheme, which offers an effective way to secure job opportunities for young people.”

Announced by the Government in August, the Northampton Enterprise Zone covers 120 hectares of mostly brownfield land alongside the River Nene. It is managed by the South East Midlands local enterprise partnership and aims to build on regional strengths in advanced technologies, high performance engineering, and low carbon technology. The first building for the Zone was approved earlier this month, a £6.5m innovation centre that will house up to 55 small businesses.

Whilst in Northampton, the Business Secretary will also meet young apprentices from a ground-breaking training scheme known as Construction Futures. The scheme has an innovative approach, which makes the delivery of construction apprenticeships a legal requirement for developers that receive planning permission.  The Business Secretary will meet budding brick-layers and electricians at a major housing development in Upton.

Vince Cable said:

“Northampton is showing that despite tough economic conditions there are still innovative ways that new jobs and growth can be delivered at a local level.

“I am particularly pleased to see apprentices working on live construction sites as part of the Construction Futures scheme, which offers an effective way to secure job opportunities for young people. Both this scheme and the Northampton Enterprise Zone will provide new jobs and drive growth across the region.”

The development, which is being jointly promoted by WNDC, Northamptonshire County Council and Northampton Borough Council, would be located on the site of what is now the Fishmarket.

Once the new bus interchange is constructed, the old Greyfriars Bus Station can be demolished in future. Crucially, this will provide the land necessary for the expansion of the Grosvenor centre, which will bring new shops, jobs and investment to the town.

Its proposed location, on the corner of the Drapery, Bradshaw Street and Silver Street, will allow easy access to shops, the Market Square, the Royal & Derngate, Castle Station and other town centre attractions.

The proposal is for 12 bus bays to be located within a new building, which would accommodate ticketing facilities, toilets a café and shops. Seven bus bays would be located at the top of Drapery, with a further two bus bays on Bradshaw Street.

WNDC recently decided to invest £4million in the new bus interchange, with Northampton Borough Council contributing £3million and £600,000 coming from the county council.

The plans will be on display in the Greyfriars Bus Station on the following dates:

Thursday, January 19 between 10am and 7pm

Saturday, January 21 between 10am and 3pm

The 3,740 sq m office building, which is estimated to cost £6.5m, was approved by West Northamptonshire Development Corporation’s planning committee.

Located opposite Castle Railway Station, the Innovation Centre will be a modern and environmentally friendly building, reaching six stories high. It will provide office accommodation and support services for up to 60 small businesses in Northampton town centre.

The scheme is part of a planned waterside development, which will include new homes, offices, shops and community facilities on disused land alongside the River Nene. It will be constructed on the site of the former United Social Club – a derelict building which WNDC acquired and demolished last year.

Adrian Arnold, WNDC’s Director of Planning Services said:   “Along with plans for the wider area, the Innovation Centre will form an impressive gateway into the centre of Northampton. It will provide much-needed modern office space in the heart of the town, attracting vital new businesses, jobs and investment”

The development is being led by WNDC, which is part-funding the project and securing additional investment from a number of other sources. The Corporation is currently in discussions with potential partners to help develop the building and operate the centre once it is completed.

It is the third innovation centre that WNDC has helped to fund and deliver, following the expansion of the University of Northampton’s Portfolio Innovation Centre in 2009 and Daventry’s award winning iCon Innovation Centre last year. 

Once funding and development partners are secured, it is envisaged that construction could start later this year and complete in early 2014.

Located in the Royal Oak Industrial Estate, the 23,000 sq m building would be on vacant land next to the Ford Parts Distribution Centre.

The site, which includes a disused football pitch previously used by Daventry Town FC, is being redeveloped by its owners Ford Motor Company Ltd. They aim to create a large and flexible building that could be occupied by a range of potential businesses, including firms involved in industrial manufacturing or distribution.

WNDC’s Director of Planning Services, Adrian Arnold said: “As part of the existing Royal Oak Industrial Estate, this site is an ideal location for a new industrial development. It will be a high quality building, designed to minimise its visual impact on the surrounding environment.

“Crucially, it will help attract new jobs to Daventry, which is establishing a strong reputation as a great town for businesses to locate and invest in.”

The planning committee’s approval is subject to a number of conditions including the completion of a section 106 agreement.

In the midst of these turbulent times, some may be surprised to hear that I think West Northamptonshire has actually had an excellent year. The area has continued to attract new jobs, with world class firms ranging from BMW to Carlsberg investing here. We have also seen new additions to the local landscape – a tantalising sign of things to come.

This includes the Becket’s Park Marina in Northampton, which was completed in the summer, and will be the centrepiece of a major mixed-use, waterside development. Plans for this area will breathe new life into neglected, disused land along the River Nene – something I know local people are eager to see.

These plans took big strides forward in 2011, with key parts the of the infrastructure puzzle slotting into place. This includes the approval of the Nunn Mills development road as well as completion of the London Road junction improvements. Most recently, our board approved the use of our compulsory purchase powers for the Avon and Nunn Mills sites – helping us to kick-start their long awaited redevelopment.

One of the largest investments in our history was announced in November, when we decided to invest £8million in the re-location of bus services in Northampton town centre. By supporting demolition of the infamous Greyfriars bus station, it will unlock the much anticipated expansion of the Grosvenor Shopping Centre. I know this scheme has been discussed for many years, but now the words are turning into action.

This is just a flavour of West Northamptonshire’s reasons to be cheerful after an important year. Elsewhere, plans for the transformation of Towcester town centre were approved by WNDC and the procurement of a development partner is well underway. Meanwhile, Daventry continued to flourish throughout 2011, defiantly bucking the national unemployment trend.

I think Daventry has witnessed one of the most impressive developments of any town in the Midlands, or city for that matter – after the stunning iCon Innovation Centre opened its doors in June. It is just the latest in a series of improvements to the town centre, which started with the Abbey Retail Park in 2009, and will be followed by further developments, ranging from a new central library to the WaterSpace scheme.

Put simply, 2011 was a year of immense promise, despite the gloom and doom spread by the national media. Personally, I’m looking forward to more of the same in 2012. Schemes we have progressed throughout the last 12 months, such as the Northampton Innovation Cube, will be close to construction, as we make regeneration of Northampton town centre our No1 priority.

I will sign off with some words from a young apprentice from our Construction Futures training scheme, which continued to go from strength to strength in 2011

‘I actually look forward to getting up in the morning and going to work. I’m taking pride in everything I do and feel like I’m learning all the time.’

I couldn’t have said it better myself and am looking forward to the next 12 months.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Established by government in 2004, WNDC is delivering regeneration, jobs and investment across Northampton, Daventry and Towcester. John Markham has been reappointed as WNDC’s Chairman for a second term, which will run for the remaining life of the Corporation.

During its final delivery phase, the Corporation will be solely focused on major town centre regeneration schemes. As a result, its planning powers are due to be returned to the local authorities from April next year.

Andrew Stunell said: “The West Northamptonshire Development Corporation has started the last phase of its work where it has the important role of delivering some key local development projects and also becoming a more locally based body.

“The Corporation will focus on using its statutory powers to take forward five key projects in Northampton which should then transfer to a local authority vehicle for completion at the end of 2013/14. Strong leadership will be vital during this period of transition and I am delighted to announce the reappointment of John Markham as Chair to lead the Corporation as it drives forward this important work.”

The Corporation will be more accountable to local people during its final delivery phase. This follows changes to the composition of its board, which have seen it reduced from thirteen to nine members. Six of those members are local authority representatives, giving them a majority of seats on the Board.

John Markham, WNDC’s Chairman said: “I’m very pleased to be leading the Corporation during this highly important and exciting time for West Northamptonshire. The area represents one of the UK’s best opportunities for attracting new jobs and private investment.”

Since being established, West Northamptonshire Development Corporation has invested around £80 million in projects across West Northamptonshire. A considerable amount of progress has already been made, with schemes ranging from Northampton’s Becket’s Park Marina to Daventry’s iCon Innovation Centre already making a positive impact on the area.

Working in partnership with the local authorities, WNDC is helping to progress a number of major regeneration projects, including the redevelopment of Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre, Railway Station and Waterside area.

Located near Northampton town centre, the Avon and Nunn Mills sites are within Northampton’s Enterprise zone, which aims to attract new jobs and investment to the town.

To secure their future, the Board of West Northamptonshire Development Corporation has approved the start of a Compulsory Purchase Order – a legal power that allows them to acquire land without the owner’s consent.

The Brownfield land includes the disused Avon Cosmetics Factory and the old Nunn Mills power station. It also includes an area of land that is currently in unknown ownership, which is a constraint to development and is required for a new road through the site.

Chris Garden, WNDC’s Director of Regeneration said: “The Avon and Nunn Mills sites are at the forefront of local plans to regenerate Northampton’s waterside.  Situated next to the River Nene on a key gateway into the town centre, they are an ideal location for high quality new offices, homes and community facilities.

“The CPO will allow us to progress the transformation of the area, attracting vital new jobs and investment to Northampton” 

Initial development has already taken place in the area, with Avon Cosmetics’ European Headquarters opened in 2009, and the Becket’s Park Marina completed earlier this year.  

In addition, preparations have been made to ensure the necessary infrastructure will be in place to support further development. The Nunn Mills development road was approved by WNDC’s planning committee in August 2011, while work to enhance capacity at the junction between London road and Junction road was completed in November. 

Arrangements for the Compulsory Purchase Order will begin this month, and it is due to be formally made in February next year. It will be followed by a public inquiry and a decision by the Secretary of State later in the year.

Owned by the Homes and Communities Agency, the Ransome Road development site covers disused land, including a former landfill facility. However, it is set to be transformed, with plans for up to 800 high quality new homes which will breathe new life into the area. The site is linked to wider plans for Northampton Waterside, including the land around Avon Cosmetics’ headquarters and the old Nunn Mills power station.

West Northamptonshire Development Corporation funded the £2.3m junction improvements as part of its waterside regeneration programme. The HCA invested £450,000 in land acquisitions and utilities diversions to help enable the improvements.

Chris Garden, WNDC’s Director of Regeneration said: “These junction improvements are an important piece in the jigsaw for the redevelopment of Northampton’s Waterside. Over time, they will support the development of new homes, offices and community facilities on disused land along the River Nene.”

The improvements were delivered through Northamptonshire County Council and have created a wider junction, with a new alignment and upgraded traffic signals. The junction also includes a new and improved crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.

Cllr Andre Gonzalez De Savage, Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member for infrastructure and public protection, said: “Increased and safe access to the businesses, as well as improvements to one of Northampton’s main gateways, is a real bonus for pedestrians and vehicle users. The project has progressed well and I’m delighted that it will be completed before the busy Christmas shopping period. We encourage residents and visitors to use the businesses new and established, and see for themselves the new improvements.”

WNDC’s planning committee approved an application for up to 800 new homes on the Ransome Road site in 2010. The revised junction will directly enable the first phase of development, comprising up to 450 new homes. Subsequent phases of development are subject to the construction of the Nunn Mills Development Road, which WNDC approved in August 2011.

Anthony Sowden, Area Manager for the HCA, said: “The junction improvements have the wider benefit of allowing the Ransome Road site to be opened up for development. The first phase of clean-up on site will be completed in the New Year, and we hope to be able to agree a preferred developer in the spring. The development will play a major part in bolstering the long term economic growth of the area by providing jobs and investment, as well as quality housing to attract new employees.”

On 15 November, the Corporation’s Board approved a proposal to invest £8 million in the relocation of Northampton’s bus station. The Greyfriars Bus Station adjoins the Grosvenor Centre and will make way for its future expansion. The outmoded station will be replaced by a contemporary bus interchange, which will be constructed on the site of the town’s former Fishmarket.

The Grosvenor Centre, which is owned by Legal and General Property, is expected to double in size, with 42,000 sq m of additional retail space across 57 new units.  The expansion plans also include a hotel and residential development.

Peter Mawson, Chief Executive of WNDC said: “WNDC’s investment will help to unlock one of the most significant retail developments in the UK. The Grosvenor Centre scheme is part of a wider programme for the regeneration of Northampton town centre, which includes redevelopment of Northampton Railway Station and a major mixed-use development in the waterside area”

Northampton Borough Council signed a development agreement for the Grosvenor Centre expansion with Legal and General Property in 2009. Leader of the Council, David Mackintosh, said: “The new bus interchange is a vitally important part of the future development of our town and this investment is an important step forward. We are looking to create a modern new site that that is welcoming, bright, safe and clean and brings passengers right into the heart of our town. I am delighted to see this work progressing.”

Designs for the Grosvenor centre expansion are currently being developed and a planning application is expected in summer 2012.   Meanwhile, a planning application for the new bus interchange is expected at the beginning of 2012.