Three derelict sites to be brought back into use

The bus depot, which closed in 2013, served Northampton from the 1900s

Several derelict sites will be brought back into use after a local authority was awarded almost £2.6m from the government.

The money, from the brownfield land release fund, has been given to West Northamptonshire Council to develop three locations.

The former bus depot in St James, Northampton, will benefit from a £1,368,000 grant which would help remedy ground contamination and asbestos at the site which has been vacant since 2013.

Further work would prepare it for a "residential-led" scheme, the Conservative-controlled authority said.

Projects at the University of Northampton's former Avenue Campus site, and former Ecton Brook care home, were also awarded grants.

An award of £1,031,500 would go towards the construction of roads and utility upgrades at the former Avenue Campus ahead of a residential development.

A £200,000 grant for the Ecton Brook care home site would support demolition works in preparation for a new affordable housing scheme.

The brownfield land release fund is overseen by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities through a partnership between the Office of Government Property and the Local Government Association.

Councillor Daniel Lister said: "This funding recognises the potential of these sites and our prudent approach in buying them, and we’re grateful to the government for this valuable contribution.

"Finding areas for new housing can be challenging and brownfield sites are ultimately the most appropriate but salvaging them is often difficult due to the cost.

"These three sites will provide in the region of 250 new homes for our residents, as part of our drive to meet growing residential demand."