Board of Governors of the University of Northampton approves the next phase of development for new Waterside Campus

Today, Wednesday 22 May 2013, the Board of Governors of the University of Northampton agreed to proceed further with proposals for the development of an exciting new Waterside campus.

The landmark University development will create a modern university campus in the heart of Northampton, within the Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone.

Professor Nick Petford, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Northampton said: “The proposed Waterside campus is a hugely exciting development for the University. I am thrilled that the Board of Governors has approved the development plan; we will now progress to the next stage, consulting people in Northampton on the plans before submitting an outline planning application.

“We have worked hard to create proposals for a Campus development with state-of-the-art facilities for our students, staff and the community of Northampton. The University has a long history in the town and being a part of its growth is very important to us. This new campus will secure the future of the University as a leading higher education institution, not only in the UK, but internationally, really putting Northampton on the map.

“If the development progresses as we hope, we could be moving in to start ground work in 2014, with the campus opening in autumn 2018.”

Milan Shah, Chair of the Board of Governors said: “This is a momentous decision that has been taken by the University Governors today, following a considerable feasibility study conducted over the past two years by the University Executive team supported by our external professional advisors. Charged with the stewardship of the University and bringing a diversity of perspectives to bear on assessment of the feasibility and strategic fit of the proposed project, we were united in recognising the contribution a new campus would make to building a world class university for the future. “Located at the heart of Northampton’s Enterprise Zone, the University’s new home will be open to the local community and re-invigorate our relationship with Northamptonshire and the wider region. It will give the University an immensely exciting opportunity to develop further the learning environment for our students and staff. We recognize this decision is just the start of a complex and demanding journey, which involves venture as well as risk, but it gives the opportunity to our communities to come together to invent their future.”

Cllr David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said:”This is tremendous news for the development of Northampton as a university town. Bringing the University into the Waterside area is a key part of the Northampton Alive regeneration programme and would be a massive boost to the local economy, as well as creating vital links with business in the Waterside Enterprise Zone.”

The University will be holding two public consultation events to share our vision for the Waterside Campus. Join us on Thursday 13 June from 4-8pm at The Old White Hart Public House, Far Cotton and the Grosvenor Centre, Northampton on Saturday 15 June from 11am-3pm.

The University has entered into a partnership arrangement with the landowners (Avon Cosmetics, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey) and WNDC to bring forward proposals for this site. The landowners have already submitted a planning application for residential and commercial development of the site in the event that the University scheme does not come forward.

If you would like to share your views on the proposed Waterside Campus please email your feedback to waterside@northampton.ac.uk or call 01604 892289.