All go for gateway in Northamptonshire
A new building that will mark the start of regeneration of Northampton's enterprise zone has had the go-ahead from planning chiefs.
The Innovation Centre, a 40,000 sq ft building that will provide offices and support for up to 60 small businesses, has been approved by West Northamptonshire Development Corporation's planning committee.
The £6.5m six storey building, opposite Castle Railway Station, is part of a planned waterside development which will include homes, offices and shops on disused land alongside the River Nene.
Construction is set to start later this year and finish early 2014.
Adrian Arnold, WNDC's director of planning services, said: "The Innovation Centre will form an impressive gateway into the centre of Northampton.
"It'll provide much-needed modern office space in the heart of the town, attracting new businesses, jobs and investment."
WNDC is part-funding the project and talking to potential partners for additional investment. It is the third innovation centre WNDC has helped to fund, following the expansion of the University of Northampton's Portfolio Innovation Centre in 2009 and Daventry's award-winning Icon Innovation Centre last year.
A report on development in Northamptonshire will be in the next issue of Midlands Business Insider.
