Paragon Property Developments have submitted a planning application to East Northamptonshire Council for the comprehensive development of the former Express Works site at Church Street, Irthlingborough.
The development will deliver significant new investment to the town centre, create a significant number of jobs and provide a modern new supermarket in the heart of the town centre, together with another smaller retail unit and 20 new houses, all of which will be affordable and available to local people.
The supermarket will be operated by Central England Co-operative and will significantly extend and enhance food shopping facilities within the town to the benefit of local residents, allowing people to shop locally and without the need to travel beyond Irthlingborough to carry out their weekly shop.
The development proposals have been carefully formulated and have been the subject of extensive discussion with Council Officers and have also been discussed with Members of both the District and Town Councils.
Paragon’s Development Director, Ben Sheppard, said:
“The Express Works site has been derelict for many years and is a real eyesore in the centre of the town. We believe that our proposals will bring the site back to life and revitalise the town centre for local residents and visitors alike. The new supermarket will be a major boost to the town; it will encourage people to shop in Irthlingborough and be a major boost to other retail and associated businesses within the town, as if people no longer have to travel elsewhere to carry out their food shopping they are also more likely to use other businesses within the centre for the purchase of other goods and services.
The new retail development will create a number of new job opportunities, the great majority of which are likely to be taken by local people, while the new housing will also bring more people into the town centre.
The Government is committed to focussing new investment into the country’s town centres and previously developed brownfield sites and we believe our development will make a major contribution to revitalising Irthlingborough town centre, enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and deliver a high quality development scheme in the heart of the town.
We understand that the Council hope to determine the application in September and if planning permission is granted we would hope to be able to start work on site early in the new year.”
Paul Shepherd, Acquisitions Manager at Central England Co-operative, said:
“We are very excited to be opening a brand new supermarket which will provide 7,000 square feet of shopping space to the local area. We take pride in being a community retailer, and the new store will create new jobs in the locale, as well as offering benefits like a wide range of products and services, membership and community dividend to local community groups.”
