Planning regulations are being simplified in the heart of Northampton’s Enterprise Zone.

Covering 120 hectares of land along the River Nene, the Zone aims to attract new and innovative companies to the town.  As part of its business incentives, work on a Local Development Order for the St Peter’s Waterside area has started.

The Order will automatically permit certain types of development on the land which stretches from opposite Northampton Train Station to Tanner Street. It is one of three LDOs initially being prepared for the zone, with the others covering a series of sites around Sixfields and the St James Employment Area.

Working in partnership, Northampton Borough Council and West Northamptonshire Development Corporation are leading the process.

Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and planning said: “We are making the planning process easier for businesses looking to be part of our town’s Enterprise Zone. This is something we are doing to make it as easy as possible for businesses and organisations to invest in Northampton and create new jobs.

“We want everyone to know that Northampton is open for business and are welcoming new investment to our town as well as supporting our existing businesses that are looking to grow. Time is money in the business world, so a simplified planning system will be a big boost to the local economy.”

Peter Mawson, WNDC’s Chief Executive said: “Northampton’s riverside is already home to a wide range of businesses, but it has the potential to become a leading commercial destination. The Corporation has been working on plans for St Peters’ Waterside for some time, including a state-of-the-art innovation centre and high quality office development. As part of wider plans for the town centre, the scheme will attract vital new jobs and investment to the area.”

Work will now start on a number of technical studies to inform the nature and scale of future development in St Peter’s Waterside.  The Local Development Order will be open to public consultation before the end of the year, and subsequently confirmed in 2013.

Related posts:

1. Discover Northampton’s Enterprise Zone
2. Northampton’s Waterside wins Enterprise Zone selection
3. Carlsberg to expand in the Northampton Enterprise Zone
4. Legal powers to kick-start waterside development
5. First building approved for Northampton Enterprise Zone