It is anticipated that the surveys, which are normal procedure for developments of this kind, will take around three weeks to complete.

The archaeological dig will identify any significant finds and recommend any necessary mitigating measures. The EIA will provide information on the environmental affects and identify any action that may need to be undertaken.

Councillor Rebecca Breese, portfolio holder for planning and environment, said: 
“This is a really exciting stage in the regeneration of the site and one which we will follow with great interest.

“Once both surveys are complete and any necessary actions undertaken, then work can begin on the demolition of the buildings which we expect to begin this summer.”

Details on the scheme can be found on display in the SNC Moat Lane Project Office at Springfields, Towcester.

Morgan Sindall Investments Ltd has been confirmed as the development partner for Towcester’s Moat Lane regeneration scheme. Fulfilling the vision for the historic market town, the scheme features a civic building with council offices, as well as retail and residential development.

The wider scheme will see South Northamptonshire Council’s  existing Springfields site redeveloped. This will provide a significant contribution to the cost of the new, energy-efficient civic accommodation at Moat Lane, which will have lower running costs, saving council taxpayers money.

Councillor Rebecca Breese, SNC’s portfolio holder with responsibility for the Moat Lane redevelopment, said: “The fact that we have been able to negotiate this development in the current economic climate is excellent news for Towcester. I hope everyone will join me in welcoming this move and looking forward to what it offers the town.”

Ernie Battey, managing director of Morgan Sindall Investments said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to partner with the council to fulfil their long standing vision for the regeneration of Moat Lane.

“Positioned at the very heart of this historic town, we understand how important this project is for the community and look forward to delivering this high-quality development with our sister companies Lovell and Morgan Sindall and developer Clayson Country Homes.”

The Moat Lane scheme will provide much-needed improvements to a neglected area of Towcester and attract more businesses to the town centre. With preparatory work commencing straight away, the scheme should be complete within four to five years. The civic building should be ready by spring 2014, providing the council with annual savings of £220,000 from lower running costs and income from rental and facility bookings.

West Northamptonshire Development Corporation has invested over £6.5m in the Moat Lane scheme. Peter Mawson, WNDC’s Chief Executive, said: “The development of Towcester town centre will create new jobs and support the long term prosperity of the area. The Moat Lane plans have attracted national design awards and are intended to showcase the historic core of the town alongside modern new facilities. As a key investor in the project, we are delighted that a development partner has been secured.”

The scheme features a proposal for an anchor store on the corner of Northampton Road complemented by a range of smaller retail units and a new civic building housing an improved town library, the county registrar’s office and a shared local authority customer contact centre.

Northamptonshire County Council will provide £3 million for the Library and County Registrar accommodation and as a grant contribution to the wider scheme.

Councillor Heather Smith, county council cabinet member for customer services, said: “I am pleased to see this exciting project take an important step forward. This is very significant development which will see real benefits for our customers by joining together a range of services and organisations under one roof.

“The building will be a superb setting for a new library in Towcester as well as a new home for the registry office, putting these services at the heart of Towcester’s community, encouraging more people and business into the town centre and helping it to thrive.”

The recently restored historic Bury Mount will be the centrepiece of the development and a further 28 acres of nearby water meadow will be brought back into public use for the first time in two centuries. A travel plan to encourage walking, cycling and use of public transport will also be produced to complement the scheme.

 The scheme, which was completed in April 2010, won the restoration category at the Museums & Heritage Awards 2011, beating a restoration project at Westminster Abbey into second place.

 Hosted by TV personality Sue Perkins, the Awards celebrated achievements in the world of museums, galleries and heritage visitor attractions.  It is the second award that Bury Mount has won, after being recognised by the British Association of Landscape Industries in December last year.

Originally built in the 12th century, Bury Mount is an ancient medieval fortification which has been renovated as a new public space and historic attraction. It has been revitalised at the same time as the neighbouring Water Meadows, a grade II registered historic park, which has been brought into public ownership and restored for the local community to use and enjoy.

Together, they are the centrepiece of the wider Moat Lane development, which received planning permission in September 2010.  The major mixed use development will include the creation of new shops, offices and community facilities, as well as a new hotel and library in Towcester’s historic town centre. 

Cllr Rebecca Breese from South Northamptonshire Council, said: “Many local people and visitors enjoy this area, and we are really delighted that it is visited so frequently. It’s a great achievement to be recognised at the Museums & Heritage Awards, and we are honoured that our region has been recognised nationally.”

Chris Garden, WNDC’s Director of Regeneration and Development said: “It wasn’t that long ago that Bury Mount and the Water meadows were inaccessible, forgotten gems. After a significant amount of investment, it very satisfying to see them being enjoyed by local people and recognised with major national awards”

They are investing a combined £150,000 to acquire and restore the land, making even more of the grade II registered historic park available for the local community to use and enjoy. Formerly part of the Easton Neston Estate, around 28 acres of the Water Meadows were previously restored and opened to the public in April 2010. They were unveiled alongside the renovated Bury Mount, a Scheduled Ancient Monument that has been at the centre of Towcester since medieval times.   

Together, they are the centrepiece of the Moat Lane regeneration project, which received formal planning permission earlier this year and will see the creation of new shops, offices and community facilities and library.  

Councillor John Townsend, portfolio holder for Environmental Policy at South Northamptonshire Council, said: “Since this land was opened to the public a year ago, it has been widely used and appreciated, not only by the people of Towcester, but also visitors to the area. I feel that this second tranche with its lovely river bank and views across to the race course is even more beautiful, and certainly the two together make for a spectacular stretch of countryside open for all.”

Peter Mawson, Chief Executive of West Northamptonshire Development Corporation said: “the Water Meadows are a crucial part of the plans to transform Towcester town centre. They will provide opportunities for walking, recreation and educational visits for generations to come. We’re pleased to support South Northamptonshire Council make even more of this local asset available to the community” 

The Water Meadows cover an area of open grassland which goes from Northampton Road right through to the Race Course. The River Tove is to the north, Silverstone Brook to the west and the Mill Stream to the south and east.  It is an important ecological habitat, home to over 50 plant species, and wildlife ranging from butterflies and birds to bats and water voles. 

As well as making the Water Meadows available to the public, there have been a number of enhancements, including seating, footpaths and a pedestrian bridge linking the parkland with Bury Mount.  Following the latest acquisition, planning permission will be required to enable public access to the new land. It is anticipated that the expanded Water Meadows will be open to the public in summer 2011.

West Northamptonshire Development Corporation’s Planning Committee has approved a major regeneration scheme that will transform Towcester town centre.

The Moat Lane development includes the creation of new shops, offices and community facilities, as well as a new hotel, library, and decked car park. The scheme is breathing new life into a historic site along with renovating a collection of disused buildings in the town centre.

An earlier phase of the scheme has already been completed, following the renovation of Bury Mount, an ancient medieval fortification, and the restoration of the Watermeadows, former private land now opened as a new public park.

The planning approval is subject to a number of matters that will be resolved by WNDC’s planning officers over coming months. They include technical issues relating to transport and the heritage of the site.

Councillor John Townsend, Cabinet Member for Environmental Policy at South Northamptonshire Council, said: “This is an exciting development and a positive step towards a brighter future for the town, which will be greatly enhanced by the regeneration of Moat Lane.”

Planning committee member, John Weir, said “Other market towns will be in awe of what is happening in Towcester.  The proposals will create a vibrant and safe market town for people of all ages.  It will be an exemplar of what a market town should be in the 21^st century.”

Adrian Arnold, WNDC’s Director of Planning Services, said: “Moat Lane is a truly unique development that is bringing the rich history of Towcester to life. It will generate over £40 million in private sector investment, bringing new jobs for local people, while providing first class community facilities in the heart of the town.

“It is a very complex development that requires a lot of consultation and detailed technical work. WNDC will be working with key partners and local people to resolve any outstanding issues and finalise the planning permission.”

The Moat Lane project is led by South Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire County Council and the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation. It has benefited from significant funding and support from these organisations as well as Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited, the East Midlands Development Agency and the Homes & Communities Agency.

South Northamptonshire Council and its partners in the Moat Lane regeneration project are pleased to announce that the procurement procedure for selecting a developer(s) for the project has commenced. A notice has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) for this exciting mixed use development opportunity in the heart of Towcester.

Interested parties are asked to complete a pre qualification questionnaire, which South Northamptonshire Council and partners will evaluate in order to identify a shortlist of suitable bidders to be invited to tender for the project. The procedure for selecting a developer(s) will continue throughout 2010 and early 2011.

Please click here for the OJEU notice.

An outline planning application has been submitted to West Northamptonshire Development Corporation for the regeneration of the Moat Lane area in Towcester.

South Northamptonshire Council is holding a public exhibition to give interested residents the opportunity to view the application and find out more information about the proposals. The exhibition will take place on Friday 23^rd July from 11am-6pm and on Saturday 24^th July from 9am – 2pm in the Mill, Chantry Lane, Towcester.

Details of the outline planning application are available to view at WNDC in Northampton or online at www.wndc.org.uk.

South Northamptonshire Council and its partners in the Moat Lane project are pleased to announce prior notice of an exciting town centre mixed use development opportunity in Towcester.   The Moat Lane regeneration and civic accommodation project includes the development of new retail, residential, leisure and civic floorspace as well as a new council headquarters building.  It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Towcester which is a fantastic market town in the affluent rural hinterland of Oxford, Milton Keynes and Northampton.

In advance of a formal procurement, the project team are holding a Developers Day at Trowers & Hamlins London office (Sceptre Court – EC3N 4DX) on 9^th July from 10am for you to find out more about the project and ask questions to the project advisors.  If you would like to attend the Developers Day, please confirm in writing by replying to the following email address moatlaneprocurement@southnorthants.gov.uk providing the following details:

• Name of attendee(s)
• Company name
• Sector

Please click here to download the Prior Information Notice.

Exciting plans to regenerate the Moat Lane area of Towcester town centre show a vibrant, modern town. As well as already bringing over 30 acres of historic parkland into public use for the first time in over 200 years and converting Bury Mount into a new public park, the area will have improved leisure facilities, car parking, and additional shops.

A new, state of the art civic building will be an excellent base for public service provision in the town centre, including a community library and registry office. Next to this, the Moat Lane scheme includes an office, residential and retail block which has been in the scheme since the 2007 Planning Brief. South Northamptonshire Council recently agreed to relocate to this building subject to securing outline planning permission and satisfying any Highways Agency traffic and parking concerns.

The Council conducted feasibility studies to see if it would be beneficial for both the town and the district to move from its Springfields office to Moat Lane. This intensive work looked at improving access to the council for the whole community in order to continually improve service delivery. It also looked at the need to save money and find cost savings by disposing of the current site and maintaining a smaller and more efficient property that also offers real opportunities to raise rental and bookings income.

The floor space of the new office would be around 45 percent less than Springfields, which is too large for the existing workforce and very inefficient. For example, the space allowance per person is well in excess of the industry standard which results in a highly inefficient building and very poor energy performance (certificate rating G, the worst available). This contributes to high energy and running costs and a poor carbon footprint. The heating and cooling system in the Springfield’s office will also need to be replaced in the near future, which would cost close to a million pounds, and even this would not address the fundamental problems with the building. This move will enable the council to make meaningful revenue savings and focus these savings on benefits to local tax payers.

There are many other advantages of relocating the council to the heart of Towcester, including making the council office more accessible to residents by foot and public transport. Staff, council visitors and residents can also enjoy the shops and facilities available to them in the town centre, which will help to boost trade and the local economy.

However, the council will only relocate if a developer comes forward with an overall offer that substantiates the assumptions made in the council’s confidential financial business case for the move. Because a developer has not been appointed yet, it is in the council’s, and the wider public, interest that the financial details of the business case remain confidential. The Council must strike the best possible deal for the public purse and cannot therefore reveal its hand to prospective bidders. However, the working assumption is that the receipt from the sale of Springfields together with a contribution from Northamptonshire County Council will fund the majority of new office building costs. Full consideration will be given to the proposals once the procurement process is finalised during 2011.

The regeneration of Moat Lane has been progressed with the help of investment from the South Northamptonshire Council and its partners: West Northamptonshire Development Corporation; Northamptonshire County Council; Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited; and East Midlands Development Agency.

The Moat Lane project team have worked with Towcester and District Local History Society and Towcester Wildlife Trust to develop leaflets for Bury Mount and the Watermeadows respectively. These leaflets have now been uploaded to the website, please click here for the Bury Mount leaflet and here for the Watermeadows leaflet.