The ‘WaterSpace’ development planned for the centre of Daventry has undergone a redesign.
The new masterplan includes a new hotel, ‘iCon 2’, cafes, restaurants and homes all set around water as before on land currently occupied by the Eastern Way playing field.
The plan has been drawn up as parts that have been built have been different than initially planned, and there is also the need to incorporate other new aspects. One of those is a hotel. DDC has said it is now asking hotel operators for their views on what the town will need, and that all levels of hotel star rating and size were being considered. The consultation is expected to conclude by the end of March.
Cllr Chris Over, DDC’s economic,regeneration and employment portfolio holder, said: “A hotel would fit well within the site by supporting the town’s business and leisure offer and helping to generate new employment opportunities.
“It therefore makes sense for us to start gauging interest from hoteliers to help shape a future scheme and fits well with our masterplan and vision for the future.”
Another key part is an iCon 2 paid for with £7 million of Government investment. The new building would complement the existing iCon. Currently around 75 per cent of the iCon’s 55 incubation offices are occupied, and firms are starting to outgrow them. The iCon 2 would provide suitable space for those slightly bigger firms.
Elsewhere on the new WaterSpace plan there will be homes, offices, and a new educational facility, along with a new health centre, and waterfront restaurants, bars and cafes. The plan also includes public squares, and green space.
The pools around which all this is based will be built, although the canal link to the Grand union Canal will not go ahead until developers have stumped up the cash for it.