Temporary accommodation plans go out for public consultation

02 July 2025

West Northamptonshire Council is preparing planning applications for relocatable temporary housing on two sites in Northampton. 

The Council has significant challenges in finding and funding short-term accommodation for local people within West Northamptonshire who find themselves homeless. Under the Housing Act 1996, councils must make temporary housing available to those with a priority need. This is typically families with children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and those who are particularly vulnerable. 

Sometimes, the only thing available is a hotel room, which rarely meets the needs of families, and can add to the pressures they already face. 

In response, the Council has proposed creating relocatable one and two-bedroom units which would help improve people’s lives while reducing costs. 

Both sites are owned by the Council, one along Edgar Mobbs Way near Sixfields, and the other off Birds Hill Walk in Weston Favell. 

Residents, businesses and other neighbouring organisations are invited to take a look at the plans before they are submitted. 

“This proposal allows us to create temporary accommodation which is better suited to people’s needs and saves taxpayers money. 

“Nobody ever wants to find themselves and their family homeless, and if they do, they want the reassurance that someone can help solve the immediate worry of needing a roof over their head. 

“These new units will create two small communities as the starting point for getting people back on their feet. 

“They will have integrated local amenities, though the units can be moved elsewhere at any time, should the need arise.” 

Cllr Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing

The site at Birds Hill Walk would have 38 two-bedroom homes and Edgar Mobbs Way would have 14 one-bedroom and 56 two-bedroom homes. The units would be stacked to created two floors to make the most effective use of the space available. 

Each site would have a community hub building, laundry facilities, cycle and refuse storage, and a children’s play area.  

There would also be a site office for use by council support staff during the day and out-of-hours security as needed. 

The public consultation events will offer an opportunity for people to view draft site layouts and plans, ask the project team any questions, and share their feedback. Any feedback received will help shape the final plans before applications being made later this year.

The exhibition events are set to take place as follows: 

• Wednesday 9 July, 3.30-8pm, Weston Favell Parish Hall, Booth Lane South NN3 3NS
• Wednesday 16 July, 3.30-8pm, 1897 Suite, Sixfields Stadium, Upton Way, NN5 5QA