The main building that will accompany Northampton’s Becket’s Park Marina has been granted planning permission by West Northamptonshire Development Corporation. Construction of the facilities building is expected to start in October and will mark the final step in the quickly progressing Marina development. It will be the only building located on the Marina island and will house the Manager’s office, a reception area, and services for boaters including a shower and laundry facilities. It will be a key part of security for the site, with a large glass frontage providing panoramic views of the Marina for the Manager.

WNDC Chief Executive Peter Mawson said: “We are pleased to grant planning permission for the facilities building which has a high quality design and uses eco-friendly materials. It will be an important part of the marina development, which will be at the heart of a renaissance for Northampton’s waterfront”.

Construction of the marina commenced in March and has progressed well. The former disused boating lake in Becket’s Park has been drained, excavated and refilled. At the current time, 100 floating pontoons, which will be used by people to moor their boats, are being installed at the site.

Irven Forbes, Area Waterways Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “I am really pleased that the marina project is progressing so well. We have already had more than 30 people interested in mooring in the marina from March 2011. The new facilities building is an integral part of the development and will help to make the marina a real hub of the boating community.”

Councillor Richard Church, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration said: “The marina is set to become an important attraction that will bring visitors to Northampton. We are building the facilities and infrastructure that mean our town’s marina can become a regional hub for the boating community. It has been fascinating to watch the area being transformed and take shape, and I can’t wait to see the marina open next year.”

Leader of Northamptonshire County Council, Cllr Jim Harker, added: “We’re delighted to be playing a part in this significant transformation of Northampton’s waterfront and I’m very pleased that the development is moving forward at such a pace.”

The marina will offer 80 moorings, 6 of which will be for residential use. The remaining berths will be available for short term visitors and pleasure craft requiring long term leases. Moorings will also be available for operators of commercial leisure boats, such as hire boats and water taxis. As part of long term plans to develop Northampton into The Market City, later phases of the Becket’s Park project could deliver new landscaping, lighting, cafés and restaurants, while providing a busy, exciting link between the town centre and the waterside.

The Environment Agency is constructing the marina on behalf of the Becket’s Park Partnership. The Partnership is made up of the Environment Agency, Northampton Borough Council, the River Nene Regional Park, Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited and West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC). The Marina is costing over £2 million to develop, with £1.8 million provided by WNDC alongside contributions from Northamptonshire County Council and the Environment Agency.

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