Green light for new warehouse to be built on Northampton industrial estate with estimated 230 jobs
Plans to demolish a building on a Northampton industrial estate and replace it with a new warehouse have been approved by the council.
The site is located at Blaise Pascal House, 100 Pavilion Drive, in Brackmills and is surrounded by other industrial, retail and office buildings. The existing warehouse already received demolition approval last year, with the new application seeking permission to construct a replacement distribution warehouse of up to 17,782 sqm in its place.
Applicant Lux Legacy I S.A.R.L. has said it seeks to “maximise the site’s developable potential” and will bring forward an estimated 230 jobs with the new workplace. The future occupier of the building is currently not known.
According to planning documents, the building was previously home to the cheque processing company iPSL, which has already moved to another site in the Brackmills Industrial Estate.
Donna Stock, who spoke at the planning meeting on behalf of the applicant, told members that the existing site has an “outdated building” which would be replaced by a new warehouse with improved sustainability credentials.
She added: “The marketing of the site has shown demand for a different size and shape building since the existing building on site was constructed some 30-odd years ago.”
Planning papers say the proposed unit is of “substantial scale”, with the height of the buildings at a maximum of 22.5 metres. Plans suggest the site will offer 56 cycle stands near the main employee entrance, nine motorcycle spaces, 24 HGV spaces, and 148 car parking spaces, including EV and disabled bays.
Some concerns were raised by councillors on the strategic planning committee surrounding sustainable transport options to the site and ensuring there are ways for the workforce to get to their shifts without having to rely on cars.
Members were told that there are currently four bus routes that serve the industrial estate and that it is considered “highly sustainable” due to its connection to footpaths and cycle paths.
Prior to the construction of any building, a detailed travel plan showing how sustainable transport measures will be made available for employees for operational hours must be submitted to and approved by West Northants Council.
The replacement distribution warehouse was approved at the planning meeting on Tuesday April 21.