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SNC Announces Developer And Updated Plans For Towcester's Moat Lane

Artist's impression of the new Council offices and civic building in Towcester

Towcester based South Northamptonshire Council can now announce that constructor/investor Morgan Sindall Investments Ltd will be its development partner for the Moat Lane regeneration and civic accommodation project.
 
Fulfilling the vision for the historic market town of Towcester, the scheme features a civic building with council offices providing a community heart to the town centre. Other elements of the scheme include retail, catering and residential.
 
The wider scheme is to develop the existing Springfields site, in accordance with the objectives, to provide new high-quality housing.

This will provide a significant contribution to the cost of the new, energy-efficient civic accommodation with 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 regeneration, in addition to providing much-needed improvements for what has become a neglected area of Towcester, will bring more business into 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 around £7.5m 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.”
 
At the centre of the redevelopment, historic Bury Mount will become a focal amenity 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.

Details on the scheme can be found at www.southnorthants.gov.uk or www.moatlane.org and also on display in the SNC Moat Lane Project Office at Springfields. Contact Tim Pack 01327 322215 or Ian Thompson on 01295 753713 for more information.

Download the presentation with more images and plans of the Moat Lane Development in Towcester

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Comments

Nick H

At 12:49 on 27th March 2012, Nick H commented:

The waiting is over. Having just spoken to the council officials on a site visit, I understand that this is a significant step in publicising the future plans.

Perhaps now we can get answers to the many questions that have remained unanswered for so long due to the procurement process.

I am pleased the the centre of Towcester redevelopment can now go ahead, and I look forward to seeing the details of the plans for each area and building in the development.

It is interesting to read that the wider scheme includes the redevelopment of the old Springfield site to include high quality housing. Are there any councillors willing to comment on these plans? I understood a residential care home was planned for the site.

Hopefully now, we can discover what investigations and options for the SNC relocation were investigated and the costings revealed. I feel a Freedom Of Information request coming on!

Nick Holder

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Brian Taylor

At 14:37 on 27th March 2012, Brian Taylor commented:

So the developer has been announced. Must be the worst kept secret in history. Agree totally with Nick's comments. No good going 'Freedom of information' route. Will be told its commercially sensitive or not in the public interest.

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Phyllis B

At 13:20 on 28th March 2012, Phyllis B commented:

Who is going to provide the public toilets for all the expected tourists/visitors, and where will they be located. Has the developer made provision for this much needed facility or do they think it is the responsbility of South Northants Council who have closed down the previous toilets in the town much to the dismay of residents and visitors.
Phyllis Brockhurst

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dnswh

At 15:42 on 16th June 2012, dnswh commented:

Current facts are that new CX of SNC/CV council has called the whole project in for review. This, IMHO, is a good thing as the business case should always be reviewed at milestones, such as that reported above.

The expectation is that she'll can the project because it's too big for the new slimmer council, for example the proposed one stop shop is too large now, and there's too much space for councillors, and the chamber is too large or even unnecessary.

The rumour mill then starts up, with an idea that both councils will abandon their current buildings and build a shared Moat Lane type building more centrally, which'll be in then?

Will local councillors categorically deny that any of the above is true?

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dnswh

At 15:43 on 16th June 2012, dnswh commented:

Meant to say in Brackley, then.

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Ian McCord

At 13:45 on 17th June 2012, Ian McCord commented:

DNSWH - I can give you the denial that you want none of the above is either factual or true.

I shall get an official statement from the Council tomorrow.

Cllr Ian McCord
Portfolio Holder for Resources and Change Management

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dnswh

At 13:51 on 17th June 2012, dnswh commented:

Oh good, that's very reassuring. Thank you. While I think the building is too big for the new slimmer council, it is essential that something goes ahead to bring all facilities under one roof, and to reduce costs for taxpayers.

Will you deny that the new CX has ordered a review of the project against business case, even though that's good practice from time to time in any project?

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dnswh

At 21:21 on 18th June 2012, dnswh commented:

So, any news?

Has the CX held a review?
Has she delayed the project?
Has she cancelled the project?
Will it be smaller?
Will it still be in Towcester?
Has she done all this without keeping the Councillors updated?

Look forward to your reply Councillor.

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SNC Corporate Comms

At 14:35 on 19th June 2012, SNC Corporate Comms commented:

South Northamptonshire Council is refuting claims that a planned move to a new community building in the Moat Lane regeneration area of Towcester will not now go ahead.

Cllr Rebecca Breese, portfolio holder for planning and environment said: “Talks of the council pulling out of a move to Moat Lane are completely inaccurate and unfounded.

“With a project of this size, it was sensible to review it before detailed planning permission is sought – this is standard best practice in any business as it provides a reality check and an opportunity to ensure that every aspect is still suitable.

“Upon completion of the review, I can confirm that the size and space of the planned community building at Moat Lane is appropriate for intended use and that South Northamptonshire Council remains 100% committed to the move.”

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dnswh

At 21:22 on 19th June 2012, dnswh commented:

Glad you had a review. As I said above, it's good practise to do that.

Your statement is very vague on next steps or programme. It reads as very "shouty" and perhaps defensive. Almost "methinks the lady doth protest too much".

So, well done for a public commitment. We'll hold you to it. If you want a good time to bury bad news in the coming weeks, don't be so obvious as to use GP weekend.

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