Inspector approves conversion of former Northampton shoe factory into 300 student bedrooms

The Bective Works site, in Bective Road, Kingsthorpe, has been the subject of repeated applications to turn it into student rooms since 2009.

But its owners have now persuaded the planning inspectorate to overturn the latest rejection by councillors following an appeal.

Kate Goodwin, spokeswoman for developers Enterprise Real Estate, said: “The planning inspector recognised the potential for the site to provide much needed bespoke

student accommodation in an accessible location as well as jobs and an investment boost to the local economy. “

The scheme comprises 293 study bedrooms and is the culmination of two years of work between Enterprise Real Estate, the planning consultants David Lock Associates and

Northampton Borough Council planning officers, who support the scheme.

A number of residents and businesses had lodged 28 letters of objection, complaining the plans provide too few parking places at 34 and would lead to increased noise, nuisance and littering in the area.

Councillors agreed and rejected it in July last year, only to now be overturned by the inspector, at a cost to the taxpayer.