Large block of newly built council flats in Northampton STILL fenced off NINE months after completion
A large block of newly built council flats in Northampton are STILL empty and fenced off NINE months after they were completed.
The flats in New Southbridge Road, Far Cotton, known as Trenery House, are Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH) properties. NPH is the council’s arms-length organisation responsible for managing and maintaining social housing.
The development includes 28 one- and two-bedroom apartments near the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus.
Plans for the four-storey block were first revealed in 2021. Construction was completed in March 2025, after missing the December 2024 deadline previously confirmed by NPH.
In October, NPH said: “We’re pleased to confirm the new apartments are now ready for occupation after the final completion of works and handover of keys has taken place.
“Eligible people on the social housing register have started to bid on the apartments. We will begin allocating residents to the new homes this week and look forward to welcoming them into the community.”
However, the site is still fenced off in December.
One resident who lives nearby said: “I have recently read that plans are in place for the council to purchase 39 homes at Buckton Fields. On top of that we also learn West Northants Council has secured a government fund of 300 thousand to build more social housing. This is welcome news for families who are desperate for a permanent roof over their heads.
"However, this block of new build flats in New Southbridge Road are still fenced off and vacant seven months after completion. I believe NPH told Chronicle & Echo that they were in the process of handing keys out to prospective tenants in October – when is this going to happen?
“It is all very well the council proudly announcing that they are on board with providing social housing but if they are not allocating them then what is the point.”
Councillor Julie Davenport (Delapre and Rushmere ward) said: “The newly built apartment block has been sitting empty for months. It appears fully completed, so I’m struggling to understand why it isn’t already home to new tenants.
"I was told on 27th October that the building had been handed over to NPH, yet there’s still no sign of anyone moving in.
"Given the current housing crisis, there must be a very good explanation for why these homes are not being used. Local residents who are homeless or in high-cost temporary accommodation would love to move in as soon as possible. I am continually chasing a bidding and move-in date for residents.”
An NPH spokeswoman said: “The properties are now complete and allocations are underway. Temporary fencing is currently being removed. We are aware of vans parked nearby; however, these are privately owned vehicles and are not connected to WNC or NPH.”
In November 2024, a judgement was published by the Regulator of Social Housing, which graded NPH as C3, the second-worst rating available, suggesting “serious failings” and the need for “significant improvement”. NPH was contacted for comment at the time but did not respond. Last month, WNC’s cabinet agreed to bring NPH back in-house.