Travis Perkins gains permission for new Northampton HQ

A new headquarters for Travis Perkins has been approved, which the firm says will lead to 1,000 new jobs.

Northampton Borough councillors have passed plans to demolish parts of the company’s head office at Lodge Farm Industrial Estate off Harlestone Road, and build a new headquarters.

In all, there will be three different elements constructed: a new head office building, an innovation centre, and a staff training centre.

Travis Perkins said the campus could employ an additional 1,000 people, taking its workforce at Lodge Farm to more than 2,000.

John Carter, chief executive, said: “We’re already a major employer in Northampton and our plans reaffirm our long-term commitment to the town and confidence in the future growth of our business.

“We look forward to working with the council to bring these exciting plans forward.”

Construction work is expected to start in early 2016.

Mandal House will be redeveloped to form an office building and training centre, with an innovation centre, with 241 car parking spaces.

Lodge Way House will become a three-storey car park containing 938 spaces, with solar panels on its roof to power the nearby offices.

The Harveys site will become a new five-storey building that would contain a retail unit, a gym, additional office accommodation and archive storage. Travis Perkins will retain an existing office building on the junction of Ryehill Close and Lodge Way.

Meanwhile, a proposed distribution and storage depot for Travis Perkins on the edge off junction 15a of the M1 has been rejected, against planners’ recommendations.

Residents of West Hunsbury strongly opposed the warehouse, on the grounds of its huge size and position on green belt land. It would also overshadow the Milton Malsor crematorium and sports pitches, they said.

Parish council chairman Stephen Tomlinson said: “Speaking personally, hopefully they won’t be back. One hopes they withdraw graciously. “

Source : Nick Spoors - Northampton Chronicle & Echo
www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/exclusive-travis-perkins-reveals-new-headquarters-will-create-1-000-jobs-in-northampton-1-6877169