The first building proposed for Northampton's Enterprise Zone has been given the go-ahead.

The 3,740 sq m Innovation Centre, has been approved by West Northamptonshire Development Corporation's planning committee.

Located opposite Northampton Railway Station, the £6.5m office building will provide accommodation and support services for up to 60 start-up businesses. It will be part of a wider mixed use development in the centre of the SEMLEP Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone.

Announced by government in August, the Zone covers 120 hectares of predominantly brownfield land alongside the River Nene. It is the responsibility of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), and aims to build on local sector strengths in advanced technologies, high performance engineering, and low carbon technology.

Adrian Arnold, WNDC's Director of Planning Services said: "As part of wider plans for the Enterprise Zone, the Innovation Centre will be an attractive and prominent town centre development. It will provide low carbon, flexible office units in a resurgent area. Situated opposite Northampton Station and next to the River Nene, it is an ideal commercial development location"     

Dr Ann Limb OBE, Chair of SEMLEP said: "Together with other planned developments, the Innovation Centre will help set the standard for new buildings in the waterside enterprise zone. A number of global businesses have already invested in the surrounding area, ranging from Avon Cosmetics to Carlsberg. The enterprise zone aims to build on this track record of attracting investment and create a prosperous business community"  

The Innovation Centre is being led by WNDC, which is part-funding the project and securing additional investment from a number of other sources. Once funding and development partners are secured, it is envisaged that construction could start later this year and complete by the end of 2013.