Issue - meetings

The Committee to receive a presentation and to review the regeneration of the town centre, including culture, together with reviewing  the Northampton Town Plan and how this fits with the Northampton Highways Strategy.

6:05pm to 6:45pm

The Chair introduced the Northampton Town Plan agenda item and invited Marie Dickie to address the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Marie thanked the Chair and the Committee and said she welcomed the development of the area. She explained that the Friends of Northampton Castle had worked hard to promote a heritage hub for Northampton and urged the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee to investigate the conservation area and help to develop a space that would celebrate Northampton heritage.

At the Chair’s invitation, Councillor Stone addressed the committee and expressed her concern regarding the criminal activity that took place in central Northampton and the increasing poverty of areas surrounding the town centre. She explained she was thrilled that investment was taking place and was pleased that the Marefair site was being invested in but felt that the Council needed to address anti-social behaviour issues as part of the regeneration projects taking place and prioritise the safety of residents.

Members asked Councillor Stone to share her opinion and explain what she felt the Council could do to listen to residents and what the community needed in terms of development. Councillor Stone explained that the Council needed to work closely with the police to ensure community safety and for there to be more visibility on the streets of Northampton. She explained that Castle house was a working-class area with a diverse population, and social housing and supported living developments were needed to benefit the community.

The next speaker Councillor Alwahabi addressed the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee and stated that he welcomed the regeneration led by West Northamptonshire Council, but felt the Council needed to take more steps to ensure the town centre was a clean, green, and safe place to attract visitors. He continued that St Giles had some fantastic architecture and had won awards for investment, and at present there were 8 empty units. He urged the Council to develop the town with integrity and emphasised that social value should be at the heart of planning consideration, and planning should think carefully before disposing of town centre assets.

Councillor Birch thanked the Chair and introduced herself as the Chair of Northampton Town Council and a former councillor of the Northampton Borough Council and explained she had been involved with the town plan from the beginning. She praised the extensive plan which incorporated 10 different project areas. Councillor Birch expressed concern about how cohesion would be achieved through the developments fitting together, and how the Council would manage the construction side of the projects with contractors building in the town centre. She also expressed concern regarding the empty units in the town centre being changed into residential units and alluded to the former Marks and Spencers and Debenhams department stores. She expressed concern that the size of the individual rooms in the flats were far too small and had no outside space for residents. She felt it was the responsibility of the University of Northampton to ensure student accommodation was available  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42