Artist’s Impression of St Peters Waterside

Work has started on a key Local Development Order (LDO) in the Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone.

Covering 120 hectares of brownfield land along the River Nene, the Zone is encouraging commercial development in a range of sectors, including high performance technologies.

Planning regulations are being simplified, with work on an LDO for a central part of the zone now underway. Known as St Peter’s Waterside, the land stretches from opposite Northampton train station to near Carlsberg’s UK Headquarters. It is one of three LDOs initially being prepared, with the others covering a series of sites on the western edge of the zone.

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

Peter Mawson, WNDC’s Chief Executive said: “With excellent transport links and a riverside location, St Peter’s Waterside is ideally placed for commercial development. The Local Development Order is part of a wider strategy to regenerate a series of brownfield sites in the area. This includes a Compulsory Purchase Order which we commenced in May to drive development forward”

Councillor David Mackintosh, Leader of Northampton Borough Council said: “With an excellent track record for delivering economic growth over the last few years, Northampton is a great place to do business. Our goal is to ensure that the Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone is a welcoming environment that supports the business community in getting things done quickly and easily.

“Creating a Local Development Order is another marker to show we are serious about wanting investors to recognise the opportunities to invest and grow in our town.”

AECOM and GVA have been appointed to support the process. They will be undertaking technical studies, assessing infrastructure requirements, and producing a design guide for the area. The Order will be open to public consultation before the end of the year, and subsequently confirmed in 2013.