New plans to redevelop part of the old Harborough Rubber plant are being seriously stepped up

New plans to redevelop part of the old Harborough Rubber plant in Market Harborough are being seriously stepped up.

A new blueprint to transform the “eyesore” industrial site at the junction of Kettering Road and St Mary’s Road is set to go before Harborough council’s planning committee, it’s emerged.

The new initiative is being put forward as Harborough MP Neil O’Brien called for the dilapidated old factory to be urgently redeveloped.

Cllr Phil King, who leads Harborough council, told the Harborough Mail: “We understand people are keen to see this site developed and there is ongoing dialogue with the landowner, developer, Homes England, local MP, council planners and the Environment Agency with a view to move this forward.

“The former Rubber factory is Grade II-listed so it is important this is protected and enhanced.

“And, while the site already has consent for development, there is a revised scheme which is due to be considered by the planning committee soon.”

Various proposals have been put forward over the last few years to build flats and houses on the spot but work is no further forward.

An old flour mill also makes up part of the site on the edge of the town centre just feet away from the River Welland.

MP Neil O’Brien said it’s critical that out-of-use brownfield sites in Harborough are redeveloped as the demand for land locally continues to increase year in year out.

“But for a number of reasons this particular site in Market Harborough has not been taken forward.

“It is a real eyesore at the entrance to the town,” insisted the MP, who has a special interest in building and redevelopment.

Neil said he’s working closely alongside Harborough council and government department Homes England, which bankrolls affordable housing schemes, to finally get the ball rolling.

“Hopefully we can all work together side by side to bring this long-running saga to a conclusion at last,” said the Conservative MP.