Pictured above: (l-r) Matt Colloby, Business Development
Manager, William Davis Ltd (back), Carl Later, Director of New
Business and Development, Midland Heart, Councillor Sally
Beardsworth, Cabinet Member for Housing, Northampton Borough
Council, Lesley Wearing, Director of Housing, Northampton Borough
Council, Anthony Sowden, Area Manager, HCA East Midlands,
Councillor Brian Hoare, Leader of Northampton Borough
Council
Plans for a multi-million pound support scheme for the homeless
in the centre of Northampton are moving apace as demolition of the
existing buildings starts to take place.
The former Maple buildings and surrounding redundant industrial
units, being developed by Midland Heart in partnership with
Loughborough-based contractor and developer, William Davis Ltd will
take approximately seven weeks to demolish in preparation for the
new 35,000sq ft building.
The £5.3m Campbell Street scheme will revolutionise the
provision of homeless services in the region and will act as a
multi-functional site bringing existing accommodation at Acorn
House and drop-in facilities at the Hope Centre under one roof
together with additional community and support services.
Planning was granted in November 2009 to build 48 units of
accommodation, comprising 39 self-contained apartments, nine
emergency units and four dog kennels. The new build will also
include a day centre, IT suite and training facilities designed to
motivate and engage individuals to overcome barriers to independent
living.
Matt Colloby, business development manager for William Davis
said: "This is a high profile project both in terms of the services
it will bring to the town and for all parties involved and it is
great to see work now underway.
"Our experience in delivering this type of scheme and the
outstanding relationship we have built with Midland Heart over the
years will enable us to deliver an exceptional facility for the
homeless of Northampton."
Carl Larter, director for new business and development at
Midland Heart, said: "This is the next step towards delivering high
quality, multifunctional accommodation for Northampton's homeless
population, as well as providing facilities which can be used by
the local community.
"Once the demolition is complete, work can start on the new
build and we will be working with our partners, homeless customers
and the local community to ensure the services meet everyone's
expectations."
As part of its commitment to the region, the Homes and
Communities Agency (HCA) has invested £2.8m through its
Places for Change and National Affordable Housing Programmes.
Anthony Sowden, area manager at the HCA East Midlands said: "The
Campbell Street development is key to supporting the Borough
Council's aspirations for delivering sustainable accommodation to
its homeless population and we are delighted that the scheme is
moving swiftly forward."
William Davis and Midland Heart are working in partnership with
Northampton Borough Council, the HCA, Northamptonshire County
Council Supporting People, which is part of its Places of Change
commitment, the Hope Centre, NAASH, CAN, YMCA and the Northampton
Homeless Forum.
The project is set to take approximately 16 months to complete
and will be essential to help some of Northampton's most vulnerable
residents. Councillor Sally Beardsworth, Northampton Borough
Council's cabinet member for housing added: "Whilst Northampton
already provides good facilities for the homeless, we are now
looking at a service which will be used as a blueprint for other
schemes across the region.
"By providing not only accommodation, but the means to return to
work, we will be able to help alleviate problems with long-term
homelessness. The demolition work brings this vision one step
closer."