County council plans 2,500 staff-move into Northampton

Details have emerged of a plan to relocate 2,500 county council staff from out of town offices into Northampton town centre.

Northamptonshire County Council said it wants to build new offices on derelict land at the back of County Hall.

The Conservative-run authority said the plans, called Project Angel, would help to increases the town centre footfall.

Back office and legal staff in offices such as John Dryden House, off Bedford Road, could be part of the move.

'Centralise staff'

The county council said it is looking at the feasibility of the project and has not released details of the cost of relocation.

A spokesman said: "The business case is currently exploring if such an option would also boost public finances by allowing the council to centralise staff and pull out of existing expensive buildings and contracts.

"This could provide space for private and public sector organisations - bringing council workers back into the town centre and offering 21st century office accommodation for businesses setting up in the town."

Project Angel is a part of Northampton's Enterprise Zone development along the River Nene.

The business case will be discussed by the county council in October.