Northampton gas towers due for demolition
Demolition contractors could begin work on two Northampton town centre gas towers before the end of this year, providing they are given the correct 'non-operational' status in time.
The towers, which stand on the St Peter’s Way roundabout and in nearby Towcester Road, have been the subject of talks between West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) and the National Grid for a number of years.
WNDC hopes that the towers can be demolished and the sites become part of its plans to regenerate Northampton's waterside along the River Nene. The group's director of regeneration, Chris Garden, has said the end of the towers could come much sooner than expected.
"The operational review of gas storage capacity by National Grid is currently underway and due to conclude in October 2011. It is anticipated that this will confirm the gas holders as 'non-operational' as early as the end of 2011," he explained.
He added that there was the potential to stage a site demolition appraisal before the final decision, which will allow the earliest possible development on those sites when available.
Some residents of the streets surrounding the towers have expressed concern, however, about what could be built in place of the towers following the demolition, after plans were unveiled last week that could see the land incorporated into a new 300-acre enterprise zone.
