Vistry Group, West Northants Council to Deliver 82 Affordable Homes on Former Industrial Site in Northampton

Vistry has secured planning permission and completed the purchase of a 7.48-acre former industrial site on Harlestone Road in Northampton, where it plans to deliver 82 affordable homes in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council (WNC). The announcement was made on May 5, 2026, and marks a significant step in the redevelopment of a long-disused brickworks and garage.

Former Industrial Site Converted to Address Northampton's Housing Need

The Harlestone Road site, formerly occupied by a disused brickworks and garage, will be transformed into a mix of one- and two-bedroom maisonettes and apartments alongside two-, three-, and four-bedroom family homes. The development is designed to serve local families, including those on lower incomes, and benefits from proximity to Northampton's town centre and nearby schools. Mature trees and woodland on the site will be preserved as part of the development.

"The delivery of 82 new affordable homes is extremely important for Northampton and reflects our commitment to ensuring local people have access to good-quality, affordable housing," said Cllr Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at WNC. "This development will help address housing need across the area, support families on lower incomes and bring a long-disused site back into productive use. We are working closely with Vistry to ensure these homes are built sustainably and form part of a thriving, well-connected community for years to come."

Modern Methods of Construction at the Core of the Development

Vistry's approach to this development centres on modern methods of construction (MMC). All houses will be built using timber frame panels produced at the Vistry Works factory in Bardon, Leicestershire. According to the company, each home constructed using these panels emits 14,460 kilograms of CO2 equivalent less than a traditional brick-and-block house. The company states this approach improves sustainability and speed of construction while reducing disruption to the surrounding neighbourhood.

"We are thrilled to have received planning permission to build these much-needed family homes in Northampton, clearly demonstrating our commitment to planning high-quality communities that meet the diverse housing needs of individual areas," said Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Vistry South East Midlands.

Timeline and Next Steps

Site clearance and demolition work on the Harlestone Road property are expected to begin within weeks of the announcement. Vistry has indicated that the first residents are anticipated to move in during 2027.

No transaction price, financing terms, or development cost figures were disclosed in connection with the announcement.