Kettering hotel could become 'co-living' flats

A vacant Kettering town centre could be turned into an apartment block for more than 50 young professionals.

Magic Living Limited want to bring the 'co-living' concept - of which there are more than 60 schemes in Europe - to the Naseby Hotel in Sheep Street which closed in March 2016.

It would see 52 co-living units aimed at millennials created with communal kitchens, lounges, shared work spaces and a gym to create a "community" feel with a restaurant that will be open to the public.

A planning statement said: "Co-living is a type of intentional community that provides shared accommodation for people with shared interests.

"The concept of ‘co-living’ is to create a community-centred environment that not only provides privacy in individual living arrangements but also promotes social contact through community spaces and organised events.

"The co-living concept allows young professionals to enjoy the independence of living away from home, whilst also providing the social and networking advantages of being part of a community."

Each unit, which would be between 13.5 sq m and 33 sq m, would have a one-person or two-person room with a work desk and en-suite bathroom.

Rooms would be over three floors and development would have an on-site events manager to host events such as a games night and movie night for those who live there.

Despite having more than 50 residents plans say there would only be five car parking spaces, with 62 cycle spaces.

It's not yet known who could take on the public restaurant element although plans suggest it could be a pop-up style restaurant to support new local chefs and concepts.

The plan is the latest vision for the site after a previous plan was approved in July 2018.

Paul Simon Homes was granted permission to create 29 residential units and a restaurant but the scheme has not come to fruition.

Plans for the latest vision added: "The proposal will enable the currently vacant hotel to be occupied whilst delivering 52 high-quality co-living rooms to assist Northamptonshire and Kettering achieve in achieving their housing needs.

"Furthermore, the provision of a new restaurant (potentially as a ‘pop-up’ restaurant) has the potential to further support the Restaurant Quarter and town centre, whilst providing activity and vibrancy."

A decision could be made by June.