Northampton will benefit from a £330 million programme of development within its Enterprise Zone.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles has approved a vital Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) covering land for a new road through Avon Nunn Mills – the largest site in the Northampton Enterprise Zone.

West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) is leading on the project. WNDC’s Chief Executive Peter Mawson said:

“The University campus will be an unprecedented development for Northampton, breathing new life into its town centre. It is the jewel in the crown of an exciting regeneration programme, with nearby projects ranging from a new railway station to riverfront offices starting construction this year.”

Professor Nick Petford, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Northampton said:

“As the Midlands’ most enterprising University of 2013, the University of Northampton fully supports the values of the Enterprise Zone with the creation of jobs, skills and enterprise and looks forward to being a part of the wider plans to regenerate Northampton.”

Carole Stronach, director of real estate for Avon, and the consortium of landowners added:

“As we have been working on the regeneration of our site for many years, we are delighted that the Secretary of State has confirmed the CPO as we requested. The University’s campus development plan is a tremendous opportunity and Avon looks forward to working with WNDC to ensure that the land required to enable the full redevelopment of the Avon Nunn Mills area is brought forward as quickly as possible.”

Plans for the campus development are well advanced, with the University of Northampton looking to submit a planning application this summer. Subject to securing planning approval and funding arrangements, the University would like construction to start in 2015 and complete in 2018.

For further information see: http://northamptonez.co.uk/.