ECF submits 1200-home Northampton plans
Keenly-awaited proposals for the regeneration of Greyfrairs have been submitted to West Northamptonshire Council.
ECF has lodged two planning applications for the 21-acre site, which will include up to 1220 homes, and more than 100,000 sq ft of retail, commercial and leisure space. Up to 500 student accommodation units are also included in the plans.
A hybrid application covers the majority of the project area, set to include 103 new homes on the site of Upper Mounts and Newlands surface car parks, with the rest of the scheme put forward for approval in principle.
The second application will see the restoration of the grade two-listed Corn Exchange, which will secure the building for meanwhile uses while longer term regeneration plans are in development.
Changes of use for the building sought under the application include potential temporary uses as a theatre, food or drinking establishment, live performance venue, concert hall, bingo hall, or cinema.
Under plans launched in November last year, a 1960s multi-storey car park will be demolished to make way for the wider scheme, with gardens and public spaces also included at the West Island end of the plot.
The submitted plans include public spaces and gardens at West Island. Credit: ECF
ECF’s Development Director, Glyn Mutton said: “The Greyfriars application is an exceptional opportunity to reimagine a major part of Northampton town centre, to create a neighbourhood that people will enjoy for generations. We are incredibly excited by the potential to bring new life, activity and energy to this important site, with new homes, workplaces and public spaces that will make a tangible difference to the town.
“Our ambition is to turn a long-underused area into a welcoming, well-connected place that strengthens links to the centre and gives people more reasons to visit this part of town. Restoring the Corn Exchange and creating generous new green spaces will help celebrate Northampton’s character, while supporting local businesses, attracting investment and building confidence in the wider area.”
More than 3,000 residents, businesses and local organisations have contributed to the plans since West Northamptonshire Council first presented its vision for Greyfriars in 2023.
The scheme has been brought forward by ECF, which is a partnership between Homes England’s National Housing Bank, L&G, and Muse.
The wider Greyfriars scheme will see up to 1,200 homes built in a reimagined Northampton town centre. Credit: ECF
Cllr Kamala Guliyeva, cabinet member for local economy, culture and leisure at West Northamptonshire Council, said the submission of planning applications marked a major milestone in the transformation of Greyfriars.
“It brings us closer to creating a vibrant new neighbourhood that will provide new homes, jobs, leisure opportunities and high-quality public spaces in the heart of Northampton,” she said.
“Greyfriars will play a key role in supporting the long-term growth and prosperity of West Northamptonshire, helping to attract investment, increase footfall, support local businesses and strengthen Northampton’s position as a thriving place to live, work, visit and do business.”
Masterplan designs have been provided by Howells, with CBRE as planners for the scheme. The wider project team includes 24Three, Gillespies, Core5, Node, Solid Ground, Trium, The Environment Partnership, Civic, GIA, and PJA.
Plans and documents relating to the proposal can be found on West Northamptonshire’s planning portal, using references: 2026/3868/FULL & 2026/3869/LBC (Corn Exchange), 2026/3867/MAO (Hybrid proposals)
