Researching sustainable urban neighbourhoods...

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has recently completed a study into sustainable urban neighbourhoods, such as the Upton development.


Their research was based around the question "Is it possible to meet the nation's growing need for affordable new homes while adapting to change and meeting environmental needs?"


Their summary document outlines the work of the Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods Network (SUNN), which is addressing these issues by studying new and growing developments and communities. Focusing on 'urban extensions' to existing towns and cities, this summary draws on case studies to provide recommendations about the best way for Britain’s house builders and developers to create sustainable new communities.


To read the summary document and find out more about their work CLICK HERE.

Keep the noise down this Summer!

Issue Date: 20/06/2011

Northampton Borough Council News Release: Sound advice on keeping noise down this summer

'Consider your neighbours by keeping the noise down' is the appeal from Northampton Borough Council’s public protection team this summer.   The average number of calls the council received from residents upset about noise nuisance per month last year was 160.  In June the number rose to 226 and July 268.  The bad weather in August and September kept numbers closer to the average but they were still up at 186 and 174 respectively.  Barbecues and late-night parties and people switching the stereo up so it can be heard from the guarden are what add to the number of complaints recieved.   To help neighbours be considerate of one another the council has come up with five useful tips:   Windows and doors are likely to be open so don’t play music at excessive levels Keep the bass down If you are planning a party inform your neighbours (not just your immediate ones) at lease 24 hours before Remind your vistors to keep their voices down Remember that you are responsible for the noise and behaviour of your guests   Councillor John Yates, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for public protection, said: "All of us have different tolerance levels when it comes to noise and so consideration for the effect your noise may be having on others is really important.  Noise can ruin a person’s quality of life and the problems are always worse when the weather warms up, which is why we are appealing to residents now.  Please consider your neighbours by keeping the noise down."   For more information visit Northampton Borough Council’s website at www.northampton.gov.uk or to report noise nuisance call the public protection team on Northampton 0300 330 7000 or email ehealth@northampton.gov.uk.

WARNING OF THEFTS ON UPTON!

We've recently received this note of warning from an Upton resident...

I live on Lacing Lane and have recently been the victim of two major thefts.  Firstly, our car was stolen from the front of the house.  Our keys were fished through the letter box and the car driven off in the middle of the night and now (just 4 weeks later) my husband's bicycle has been stolen from our garage.  Both the front garage door and the gate from the garden to the communal parking area are locked and bolted, so someone has come over the back wall to do this.

Naturally, both crimes have been reported to the police, but I wanted to pass the word around that opportunists are clearly targeting the area and to warn other residents to be really careful, especially in light of the car theft.

Given we are now in the warmer summer months when people are more likely to leave windows etc open, this sort of crime could become more prevalent.

Northampton Summer Holiday Play Scheme

Issue Date: 20/06/2011

Northampton Leisure Trust News Release: Book up for summer holiday play scheme

Bookings are now being taken for Northampton Leisure Trust’s summer holiday Fun Zone play schemes at Thomas Becket School and Lings Forum. The schemes, which are Ofsted registered, strive to offer the highest standard of care for children aged five to 13-years. Drama and role-play, sports activities, outdoor play and arts and crafts are among the activities children can take part in during the daily sessions that will run from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm from 25 July until 2 September. Day rates are £19 per child (£17 for leisure card holders) and weekly rates are £90 (£80 for leisure card holders).  To book or for more information about other leisure trust events over the summer call Northampton 837300.  To see the activities that took place over the Easter and May holidays click here.

Celebrating Armed Forces Day on Saturday 25th June

Issue Date: 14/06/2011

Northampton Borough Council media release: Celebrating Armed Forces Day on the Market Square

On Saturday 25 June the Market Square will home to serving troops, veterans and cadets as the town comes together to celebrate Armed Forces Day. The day will be a chance to find out more about the activities and work of soldiers and RAF personnel from locally based units. There will also be a chance to meet the charities and groups who support current and former military personnel. The event starts at 11am and there will be activities, displays and things to see and get involved in until 3.30pm. There will be displays and stalls from the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Army Benevolent Fund, Royal Anglians and RAF recruitment, Air Cadets, Territorial Army, British Military Fitness and many more. The day will also feature a performance from the Minden Band of the Queen's Division. More information about the band is available online www.army.mod.uk/music/corps-band/508.aspx Rewards for Forces will also attend the day to offer a range of discounts to active and former service personnel over a range of products. Councillor Michael Hill, Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for Community Engagement said: "As someone who has worked in the Royal Navy I know only too well how important the connection is between service personel and their home town. So I am delighted we will get the chance to celebrate and honour the important work of our armed forces, past and present. I would encourage everyone to come into the town centre for Armed Forces Day to show how proud we are of our veterans, cadets and active service personel." For more information about what is happening on the Market Square or to find out about upcoming events please visit www.marketsquareevents.com.

Northampton in Bloom

Issue Date: 14/06/2011

NEWS RELEASE FROM NORTHAMPTON TOWN CENTRE BID: BUSINESS HELPS GET NORTHAMPTON BLOOMING THIS SUMMER

Northampton town centre will be blossoming again this summer as plants and flowers provided by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) are put into place this week. Forty-five businesses that are part of the BID have supported the beautiful floral displays which create a colourful and vibrant environment in the town centre and on some of the major roads leading into the town. Thanks to the BID there are: 150 hanging baskets all around the town on businesses around the Market Square, Abington Street, St Giles Square, Guildhall Road – including on Campbell Square Police Station and the Chronicle & Echo building on the Mounts 20 double cube floral containers in prominent positions including Abington All Saints and Wood Hill 50 barrier troughs full of blooms brightening up busy roads and junctions in areas around Victoria Promenade, the Upper Mounts and the bottom of Abington Street The flowering tubs and baskets will complement the planting carried out by Northampton Borough Council and form part of the town’s entry into this year’s East Midlands in Bloom competition. Northampton Borough Council already provides 190 full hanging baskets, 102 half-display baskets, four flower troughs and the planting in parks and beds across the borough. Last year, Northampton won a gold medal in the contest and the fact that businesses, community members and Northampton Borough Council had pulled together to creating a town in bloom really impressed the judges. Stephen Chown, Chair of Northampton Town Centre BID, said: "We know from our experience last year that the flowers help to make the town centre an inviting and vibrant place to shop and visit and we hope people will come back time and time again to see what’s on offer throughout the summer.” The East Midlands in Bloom Judges will be visiting Northampton on July 6. Businesses supporting Northampton in Bloom: Momo's A Watts & Sons Ltd MultiYork Furniture Ltd Sheinman Opticians Hewitsons Allan Investment Management Voni Blu Police Station Aspers Hollowells Money 4 U The Mailcoach The Vineyard Amore NBC Fish Street Offices Grosvenor Centre Outcast Northampton Museum and Art Gallery Royal & Derngate Berties NCC County Hall The Wedding Wardrobe Market Walk The Bear Gavin Willis Ask The Old Bank Wig & Pen The Goose on two Streets Montague Jefferies Guildhall Garage 21 Lawrences Abraxas Bonds Dreams Coffee Lounge Are you being Served Anne Bonhams Blenders St Giles Cheese Guy Stowe Kitchens Chronicle & Echo Abington Pub Oliver Adams K & J Hird

Neighbourhood Management Priorities

Northampton Borough Council have revamped their website to make it easier to find out about the neighbourhood management priorities of the councils and police in the town.

To find out more about how this works, click here.

Or to look at information specifically for Upton click here.