Re-stitching Greyfriars: New community conversation opens
20.04.26 3 min read
New community conversation launches today.
We have today launched our community conversation on the refined masterplan for the future of Greyfriars, inviting local people to help shape the plans for Northampton town centre’s largest brownfield opportunity.
Your insights will continue to help shape our design in advance of a planning submission later in the year, so please make sure to have your say via our survey by Sunday 24 May.
We are working in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council to unlock up to 1,200 new homes, alongside student accommodation, workspaces, and a mix of new businesses, leisure, and community space.
Our vision for Greyfriars also includes new landscaped public spaces connecting the local area back into the town centre, alongside a revitalised cultural offer centred on the refurbishment of the Grade II listed The Parade – which includes the Corn Exchange.
Last autumn, hundreds of individuals and organisations across Northampton provided feedback on our emerging ideas for Greyfriars. Our team has been busy using this feedback to refine the plans and we are now welcoming further feedback ahead of a planning application being submitted later this year.
Greyfriars represents a significant chance to reshape Northampton town centre as part of a wider economic strategy. By delivering new homes, attractive commercial and leisure opportunities, and vibrant public spaces, we can boost footfall and support local businesses as part of an all‑day and evening destination.
Glyn Mutton, Development Director at ECF, said:
“Working in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council, we are making strong progress towards making this a reality and look forward to engaging with residents and showcasing our progress.”
Residents, businesses and community groups can learn more and have their say by visiting our website and completing the short survey by Sunday 24 May.
You can also meet our project team at a series of events taking place during the consultation period, all held at The Gatherings, in the upper mall of the Grosvenor Centre:
– Saturday 25 April, 10am–4pm
– Saturday 2 May, 10am–4pm
– Tuesday 12 May, 12pm–6pm
Councillor James Petter, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at West Northamptonshire Council, added:
“The scale of what’s possible here is extraordinary, from new homes and jobs to major cultural, leisure and public spaces that will transform how people live, work, and spend time in our town centre.”
“This is a pivotal moment, and we want our communities to be at the centre of it. I strongly encourage residents, businesses and local groups to come along to our events, speak to the team, and complete the survey. Your views will help shape a future Greyfriars that genuinely reflects the ambitions and priorities of Northampton. Please get involved and help us make the most of this remarkable opportunity.”
This community conversation follows a series of community events we have been running since autumn 2025, helping to inform our proposals. A hybrid planning application will be submitted in autumn 2026, once all feedback from this engagement has been reviewed.