£133m boost and 1,200 jobs promised in huge Northampton warehouse plans
Plans for a huge new industrial and logistics development in Northampton which could support more than 1,200 jobs have been unveiled.
The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society has submitted plans to demolish existing buildings at Brackmills 54 on Gowerton Road and replace them with up to 118,500 square metres of industrial floorspace.
The development could be used for warehouses, storage, distribution and general industrial businesses.
Planning documents estimate that the completed development could support 1,273 net additional full-time-equivalent jobs in the West Northamptonshire economy.
The plans could also support around 1,445 temporary jobs a year during construction, with the build expected to take just over a year (58 weeks), according to the application.
The scheme is also expected to bring a major economic boost, with the application estimating it could generate £132.7 million for the local economy during the 58-week construction period.
Once operational, the development is expected to contribute around £51.6 million to the West Northamptonshire economy each year, while wages for on-site staff could total around £45.5 million a year, according to the applicant.
The site was formerly occupied by a Coca-Cola and Schweppes bottling facility and has been vacant since the factory closed in 2023. It sits within the established Brackmills Industrial Estate.
Under the proposals, the existing buildings would be demolished and replaced by one or more large industrial units, along with offices, parking, service yards and new internal roads.
The proposed development could rise to a maximum height of 33 metres and would have space for up to 118,500 square metres of industrial floorspace.
Developers say the location is well suited to a major logistics or industrial scheme because of its links to the A45, A428 and M1.
The existing access from Gowerton Road would be used, with plans also including improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, cycle parking and electric vehicle charging points.
The applicant said: “The design proposals have been developed to create a carefully sited, appropriately sized buildings which meets market demand and reflects the current and anticipated market demands.
"The site is allocated for employment and it will deliver much needed employment floorspace.
“The proposals represent high quality development and a substantial investment, which will help to promote and support employment growth, stimulate continued economic investment to the area, and be cohesive with regional and local aspirations.”
The planning application is being considered by West Northamptonshire Council. A target date for a decision has been set for November 26.