Hundreds of parking spaces in Northampton town centre are set to be taken out of use from next week as investigations connected to the major Greyfriars regeneration scheme get underway.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has confirmed Upper Mounts Car Park will close completely for one day on Tuesday, September 1, to allow preparatory works to take place.

From Wednesday, September 2, part of the car park will then remain closed while archaeological trenching and site investigations are carried out.

Around 160 of Upper Mounts' 310 spaces will be temporarily unavailable, while a further 36 spaces at the nearby Newlands Car Park will be affected by survey work.

Around 160 spaces at Upper Mounts Car Park (pictured) will be taken out of use for up to two months while trenching and survey work is carried out. A further 36 spaces at Newlands Car Park will also be temporarily unavailable.

placeholder image — Around 160 spaces at Upper Mounts Car Park (pictured) will be taken out of use for up to two months while trenching and survey work is carried out. A further 36 spaces at Newlands Car Park will also be temporarily unavailable.

The investigations are expected to take up to two months and are being undertaken ahead of the submission of a hybrid planning application for the Greyfriars regeneration scheme.

The latest disruption comes after the 1,073-space Mayorhold multi-storey car park was closed in July due to concerns over crumbling concrete. The site is earmarked for demolition next year as part of the wider regeneration programme.

WNC said alternative town centre parking remains available and temporary signage will be installed to direct motorists.

The council has previously suggested motorists use sites including the 464-space St Michael's multi-storey and 810-space Grosvenor Centre multi-storey car parks.

Greyfriars is described by the council as the largest brownfield regeneration opportunity in Northampton and is being delivered in partnership with ECF.

The wider 25-acre regeneration scheme is expected to eventually deliver more than 1,000 homes alongside commercial, community, cultural and leisure spaces, new parks and improved public areas.

The first phase is expected to include more than 100 homes on the current Upper Mounts and Newlands car park sites, including townhouses, maisonettes and apartments centred around a community garden.