Completion date revealed for homes on 'abandoned' housing estate in Northampton

A completion date has been revealed for hundreds of homes on an “abandoned” Northampton housing estate.

Kingsthorpe residents have raised concerns about the housing development in Welford Road, on land opposite Home Farm Drive in Buckton Fields. The site's house builders, Taylor French, went into liquidation earlier this year and were taken over by Mecon Group Ltd, which meant works were delayed.

Managing Director of Mecon Group Ltd (MEC) Sean O'Connor said: "Taylor French Developments has been liquidated as a trading entity so cannot complete the works. MEC has stepped in to finish the 278 works for the client thus enabling the houses to be used to accommodate people in dire need of homes."

There are set to be 41 social homes on site provided by Futures Housing Group, who also set the record straight. A Futures Housing Group spokesman said: "We’re aware Taylor French has ceased trading and Mecon are taking over, as they have both kept us involved throughout the whole process. The homes are already near completion, however there are roadworks which are ongoing.

"No further work can be completed on the site until all the legal agreements are in place and signed by Mecon. We’re in discussions with West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to make sure all the agreements and notice period are actioned quickly so we can all get back on site as soon as possible. We’re hopeful that by spring 2023 the development will be complete and ready for people to move in.”

Conservative councillor Sam Rumens, of the Kingsthorpe North ward, said residents were concerned with the delays and the a lack of communication regarding the “abandoned” estate. He said: "The issue in the first place was there was clearly a lack of communication, which is what concerned a lot of people. The positive is that it is being taken over and it will be completed, as far as I understand. I will feed back to residents when I have an update."

Councillor Adam Brown, cabinet member for Housing at WNC, said the council is “doing all we can in working with Futures Housing to ensure that the homes are delivered”.

Just up the road from the site is the construction of the North West Relief Road, which entered into its second phase on Monday (October 31).