Four Waterside Northampton project moves closer after developer named

West Northamptonshire Council said the development of Four Waterside is expected to start in 2025

A council has revealed its "preferred development partner" for a delayed town centre project.

Despite houses and a gas tower being demolished in 2013, nothing has been built at Four Waterside in Northampton.

However, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) said it had agreed a partnership with developer Cityheart to deliver the "transformational" scheme.

It said work would begin in 2025 to build a new hotel, office spaces and "high-quality" homes.

Plans for the 60,000 sq ft (5,575 sq m) site, near the River Nene and St Peter's Way and behind the University of Northampton Innovation Centre, were first submitted in January 2016.

Four Waterside was due to open in 2017, but discussions between the council and the contractor Kier stalled and the council terminated the agreement in April 2019.

Conservative-controlled WNC said a £1.5m grant from the government's Towns Fund and a further £7m from the Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone would help deliver the project, which it hoped would "contribute to the wider transformation across the town".

The Four Waterside development was meant to open in 2017 but no building work has begun

Daniel Lister, the council cabinet member for economic development, town centre regeneration and growth, said: "[Cityheart's] expertise will be invaluable in transforming the two vacant brownfield sites and providing high-quality facilities to meet the needs of our local community and benefit our local economy."

The project would "open up the gateway to the town centre from the rail station", he added.

Andrew Sanderson, director at Cityheart, said the firm was " extremely proud to be appointed as preferred developer".

Cityheart will need to submit a planning application for the project to the council. It is hoped the work would be completed by summer 2032.

Four Waterside is one of two large undeveloped sites in Northampton town centre - the other being Greyfriars where the town's demolished bus station stood.

The Greyfriars site has remained empty since the bus station was demolished in 2015