Former car dealership and petrol station in Northampton DEMOLISHED to make way for 82 new 'high-quality' 'affordable' homes

Demolition is well underway at the former industrial site off Harlestone Road, Duston, with construction of the homes expected to follow soon after the rubble has been cleared.

The £20 million scheme is being delivered by Vistry in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council (WNC).

The first residents are expected to move in during 2027, according to the developer.

The brownfield site – previously home to a brickworks, car dealership and petrol station – will be redeveloped to include a mix of one- and two-bedroom maisonettes and apartments, alongside two-, three- and four-bedroom houses.

All 82 homes will be affordable, comprising 31 for affordable rent, 26 for shared ownership and 25 for social rent.

WNC agreed in 2025 to acquire the site from Vistry so it could deliver the entire development as affordable housing, significantly increasing the number of lower-cost homes compared to earlier proposals.

Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Vistry South East Midlands, said: “We are thrilled to have received planning permission to build these much-needed family homes, clearly demonstrating our commitment to planning high-quality communities that meet the diverse housing needs of individual areas.

“This is a positive step for Northampton, bringing a disused brownfield site back into use to deliver 82 high-quality, affordable homes. Working with WNC, we’re helping meet local housing need while supporting sustainable construction and creating a welcoming new community for local families.”

Reform councillor Charlie Hastie, cabinet member for housing and communities at WNC, said: “The delivery of 82 new affordable homes is extremely important for Northampton and reflects our commitment to ensuring local people have access to good-quality, affordable housing.

“This development will help address housing need across the area, support families on lower incomes and bring a long-disused site back into productive use. We are working closely with Vistry to ensure these homes are built sustainably and form part of a thriving, well-connected community for years to come.”

The project will be funded in part through Housing Revenue Account borrowing, with the council covering costs above grant funding. Full financial details have not yet been made public.

More than 70 objections were submitted during the planning process, with residents raising concerns about pressure on GP surgeries, school places and road safety on Harlestone Road.

Despite this, councillors approved the plans, with local ward Reform councillor Vincent Clive backing the redevelopment.

He said: “I’m keenly aware of some of the strength of feeling which has been expressed by some residents in Duston, not all positive.

“It has been my view that I would be minded to support almost any positive development of this site. As it presently stands, most of the site is derelict and adds very limited value to the community.

“I believe the site will present residents with a good standard of living and I’m pleased therefore to support this plan despite some of the misgivings in my community.”

Council documents at the time said the scheme would likely revert to mostly open market housing if the authority did not proceed with the acquisition, reducing the number of affordable homes delivered.