The application site, on Great Russell Street, Northampton, has been vacant for more than two decades. (Image: Google) Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest
BREAKING news and daily roundups More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest breaking news and daily roundups Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice An appeal has been launched to decide the future of the site of a former Northampton nightclub that has since been demolished. The Top of the Town night club at 73-91 Great Russell Street could be the new home to a block of 19 flats if the case is approved by the planning inspectorate. Developers Headcorn Constructions Ltd is appealing against West Northamptonshire Council's non-determination on their plans. A previous scheme submitted by the applicant for the same project with undercroft parking was approved at the beginning of 2023. Headcorn Constructions then submitted updated proposals to the council in April of that year, completely removing the 15 spaces of basement parking from the complex. The revised planning statement stated that they could no longer offer car parking due to "viability issues" as a result of an increase in build costs and a fall in house prices. The applicant put forward that the "sustainable location" in the town centre and cycle storage provision should be considered to be "acceptable". Top of the Town opened as a working men’s club in 1978 and later became a nightclub before it shut its doors for good in 1991. After it went out of business, the building was demolished in 2008 and the area has since become derelict after years of neglect. Headcorn Constructions said the residential plans would be "making most efficient use" of the brownfield site. On-street parking on Great Russell St, with the application site in the background. (Image: Google) Developers have attempted to build on and repurpose the site for years, with plans approved as early as 2008 for a four-storey unit providing offices and residential flats. Since then another five schemes have been approved by the council for similar office/residential uses, however none have come to fruition. The plans wrote: "The site itself is also currently vacant and unsightly, and therefore detracts from the character and appearance of the area in its current state. The redevelopment of this site is considered as important for the regeneration of this area as well as for enhancing the designated Boot and Shoe Quarter Conservation Area." Changes from the original 2023 proposals also include the removal of a lift, the omission of a vehicular ramp, changes to the layout and size of the bin and cycle storage areas as well as minor alterations to the placement of windows. The block of accommodation would comprise five two-bed flats and 14 one-bedroom homes, sold at market prices. The appeal process for the 19 flats began on March 20, 2024. The decision date is yet to be confirmed, however final comments from the appellant and local authority are due at the beginning of May. Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow CambridgeLive
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