Land transfer plan to unlock more open spaces and community investment in Northampton.

Plans to transfer a piece of land in Northampton for an access road to a new housing development will unlock more open spaces and community investment for residents.

At their latest meeting (Thursday, 16 July), West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet agreed to proceed with the process related to the freehold transfer of half an acre of land next to Ladybridge Drive and Teal Close so an access road and substation can be built for the proposed new housing estate by Bellway Homes.

Developers approached the Council about the land as no other safe or practical way to access the site has been identified. 

Only the land absolutely necessary to deliver the access route and small substation would be transferred to the developer, with the remainder returned to the Council and kept as open space for residents. The future housing development is then expected to deliver more areas of public open space for residents.

The transfer of the land is subject to several conditions including the developer securing planning permission for the housing development and the freehold title of the site for the access road. If the development proceeds, the Council would receive at least £1.5m of capital income which could be invested into building new community and school facilities.

Cllr John Slope, West Northamptonshire Council's Cabinet Member for Finance, said:

"We know this open space is valued by people locally, which is why the agreement is structured the way it is. Only the minimum land needed for the access road and substation will transfer, the rest is retained by the Council and remains open space, and the wider development is expected to create more public open space than is lost.

"This land carries significant value, and our duty is to secure that value for the people of West Northamptonshire. This agreement secures the Council a capital receipt of at least £1.5 million if the development goes ahead.

"Nothing will be completed until the statutory notice under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 has been published and any representations have been considered. That is the proper legal process for the disposal of open space, and we will follow it in full."

The Council will shortly publish a public notice under Section 123(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 in respect of the proposed disposal. Any representations received will be considered before the disposal is completed.