Major milestone for Northampton as Greyfriars plans are submitted
02.10.26 3 min read
Plans for Greyfriars have been formally submitted to West Northamptonshire Council.
In a landmark moment for the regeneration of Northampton town centre, ECF – our partnership with Homes England’s national Housing Bank and L&G and Muse – has submitted two planning applications for Greyfriars seeking permission for up to 1,220 new homes, new workspaces, and mix of new leisure and community places together with the provision of new high-quality public open spaces, alongside plans for the restoration and activation of the listed Corn Exchange.
Since 2023, when West Northamptonshire Council first showcased its early vision for Greyfriars, more than 3,000 residents, businesses and local organisations have helped shape the plans. Their voices have played an important role influencing the plans submitted, ensuring the neighbourhood reflects what matters to those who know and use Northampton town centre.
Glyn Mutton, Development Director at ECF, said:
“We are incredibly excited by the potential to bring new life, activity and energy to this important place, 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.”
Greyfriars is set to play an important role in Northampton’s future growth, transforming a prominent brownfield town centre site into a more connected, mixed-use neighbourhood with new homes, workspace, leisure and community spaces. By bringing more residents, visitors and businesses into the heart of the town, the plans will help support local enterprise, increase footfall and create new jobs and opportunities over the long term.
Over the next decade, the project is expected to deliver more than 100,000 square feet of retail, leisure and commercial space, creating a destination that can generate wider economic benefit for Northampton and the surrounding area.
At the centre of this ambition is a large area of public green open space fronting onto the restoration of the listed Corn Exchange, which will provide a new cultural destination, supporting the evening economy and helping to establish Greyfriars as a vibrant place for people to live, work, visit and spend time.
Councillor Kamala Guliyeva, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at West Northamptonshire Council, said:
“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.”
“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.”
“These plans have also been shaped by the views of thousands of residents, businesses and community groups. Their passion for Northampton and ambitions for its future have helped create a vision that reflects the town’s unique character while supporting its future success.”
Two applications have been submitted for Greyfriars. The first is a hybrid application covering the majority of the project area, meaning that part of the design is fully advanced and in detail so it can be developed immediately and comprises of 103 new homes on the site of Upper Mounts and Newlands surface car parks, with the rest of the scheme to be approved in principle.
The second application is for the Corn Exchange, alongside a Listed Building Consent application, meaning the historic venue can be brought back into use for the benefit of the whole town sooner rather than later.
In the coming months, West Northamptonshire Council’s planning authority will consider the application as part of the formal planning processes with an outcome expected in early 2027. If consented, the first new homes are expected to be completed and ready for occupation in 2029.