Former Factory Set for Demolition After Council Approval

Plans to demolish the former Lawrences shoe factory in Desborough have been approved by North Northamptonshire Council.

The historic building on Gladstone Street, which dates back to 1883, has stood empty for almost 30 years and has been described as structurally unsafe, as well as a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.

A previous proposal to sell the site to the Co-Op fell through last year, and the council says demolition will significantly reduce the risks the site currently poses to the public.

The Council confirmed it spent nearly £50,000 on security measures at the site in the past year alone.

Demolition work, which is expected to cost around £381,000, would be carried out by specialist contractors due to the presence of asbestos and is scheduled to begin this summer, subject to planning permission.

The site has been the subject of several redevelopment proposals since the factory closed in the 1990s, but none have progressed.

Cllr Jan O’Hara, North Northamptonshire Council’s executive member for planning and economic growth, spoke at the Executive meeting, which approved the demolition plans: