Plans unveiled to convert iconic, Grade II listed, former Northampton shoe factory into 39 flats

Plans have been unveiled to convert an iconic, Grade II listed, former Northampton shoe factory into 39 flats.

The proposals could see a 'large portion' of the G.T. Hawkins factory in Overstone Road turned into one-bedroomed flats, according to planning papers.

The applicant, Clayson Homes Ltd has also said there would only be five car parking spaces for the four-storey site, which is located in the Boot and Shoe Quarter.

The home builders justified this by saying: "‘It is acknowledged that parking provision is limited for the site. However, consideration must be given to the previous use of the premises as a factory and the number of employees.

"In addition, the site is in a sustainable location within close proximity to the town centre and public transport provision.

"A large proportion of the flats would be one-bedroomed, where car ownership is generally lower."

The applicant went on to say that local residents already use St Michael's Car Park as part of a permit scheme, which could be emulated if these plans go through.

"It is therefore considered that the benefits of bringing the building back into use would outweigh the limitations on parking, which in themselves are not considered to provide sufficient justification for refusing the application," a Clayson Homes Ltd spokesman said.

There have been numerous planning applications to build flats at the site since 2002, which were all approved, but the works did not go ahead.

Clayson Homes Ltd added: "It is considered that the principle of development is already established due to the granting of permission previously."

The Victorian factory, which was originally built around 1880, has been left unloved in the past two decades.

It was listed for sale online as space for 48 flats back in March last year.

The now derelict factory was once one of the UK's major suppliers of climbing and military boots.

But while its rivals like Tricker's and Crockett & Jones have continued manufacturing in the town, the factory in the Mounts shut down in 2000.