Cabinet to discuss new bus interchange proposals...

Northampton Borough Council’s Cabinet is to consider proposals to locate the town’s new bus interchange on the site of the old covered market (Fishmarket) when it meets next week. (October 12).  Creating new bus and 
passenger facilities is a key part of the regeneration plans for the wider town centre.


A number of possible options for a new site have been considered over the past few months, in consultation with partners and user groups.  As a result of this work, the Fishmarket site is now being recommended as the preferred location. 

One of the main benefits of this site is its central location, which would bring bus passengers right into the heart of the town and give them easy access to shops, the Market Square and facilities including the Guildhall, County Hall, the Royal & Derngate and Castle Station.

Northampton Borough Council also owns all the land that would be used if the new interchange were built on this site, which would make the scheme easier and quicker to deliver.

West Northamptonshire Development Corporation’s board is expected to consider contributing funding to the scheme.

As well as being asked to endorse the Fishmarket site for a new bus facility, the Cabinet will also be asked to approve continued working with the Northampton Arts Collective, which currently uses the former indoor market rent free, to find them suitable alternative premises.

Cllr Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council portfolio holder for Assets and Regeneration, said: "The new bus interchange is a vitally important part of the future development of our town and we know that a lot of people feel very strongly about it.

"We want to create a site that that is welcoming, bright, safe and clean and brings passengers right into the heart of Northampton. We will look closely at these proposals to ensure that they enable us to provide the right facilties to meet the needs of bus users and the town as a whole in the future.”

If the proposed site is approved in principle, it is expected that a planning application would be submitted by January 2012, with construction to start in Summer 2012.  Northamptonshire County Council, as a key partner in the regeneration of Northampton, has undertaken to take lead responsibility for the design, preparation and submission of the formal planning application.

The Cabinet meeting will take place at the Guildhall at 6pm on Wednesday 12 October.

Action to reduce dangerous parking around schools....

  

 

A joint campaign to tackle the problem of inconsiderate, dangerous and illegal parking around primary schools in the north sector of Northampton is being launched this week.

The campaign spearheaded by Northampton Borough Council’s neighbourhood management team and run jointly with the police and county council’s parking enforcement comes after an increasing number of comments from residents concerned about dangerous and inconsiderate parking around schools.  The issue is a particular problem around school drop off and pick up times.

Whilst the primary intention of the campaign is to warn drivers of the dangers of inconsiderate parking, fines will also handed out to those caught parking illegally or dangerously.

 

Councillor David Mackintosh, Northampton Borough Council cabinet advisor, said:  "Inconsiderate and dangerous parking around schools is a real issue that we hope this campaign will help to address.  We have received numerous complaints from residents and parents about drivers who abandon their vehicles in dangerous places which makes negotiating the roads safely an absolute nightmare.

"Our main concern is for the safety of children and we are urging parents and people who use their cars to get to and from school to park legally, safely and responsibly.”

Each week the team of borough council, county council and police officers will carry out unannounced safety spot checks at one of 17 primary schools in the north sector.  Although all schools will be receiving written notification of the campaign, the exact dates of when officers will carry out the safety checks at each school has not been revealed.

Making the planning process easier for homeowners...

People are being asked to have their say on new rules that should make it easier to navigate the planning process when extending or altering a residential property.   Planners at Northampton Borough Council have written a new guide for home owners, architects and developers looking to make significant changes to a property. The draft Residential Alterations and Extensions Design Guide is now available for consultation before councillors make a final decision on the document later this year.   The new easy to follow guide has been written to show people the types of extension and alteration will be accepted, and which are likely to be refused. The guide also supports the advice available from the Council's planning team when preparing a planning application.   The guide deals with a range of issues to ensure that any new extension or alteration does not negatively affect neighbours or the local area. This includes making sure any changes do not block natural light, interfere with privacy, or damage the character of the area with large or unsightly modifications.   Councillor John Yates, Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for planning and environment said: "We want to make the planning process as easy as possible. For most people they will only encounter planning legislation when they want to make an extension or alteration of their home. So we want to make sure everything is as straightforward as possible and there is no confusion about what can or cannot be done. So, we want people to tell us what they think of the draft guide."   The Design Guide, which will be a Supplementary Planning Document, and accompanying consultation documents are available from Thursday 15 September.   The consultation documents are available on-line at: www.northampton.gov.uk/consultation or in local libraries within the Borough. All consultation responses must be received before Thursday 27 October 2011.

UK's first night run being staged in Northampton!

Saturday 29 October is the date for the UK’s first dedicated night running event which takes place in Northampton as part of this year’s Igniting Ambition Festival in the lead up to London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The family-friendly Night Run Northampton is suitable for all ages and abilities, as participants will be encouraged to run or walk a 3km town centre circuit that takes in Northampton’s key cultural landmarks at night.  The route will be animated with a spooky mix of digital lighting installations, giant LED screen, exhibitions, Market Square illuminations as well as live music, street theatre and performance.

There is no registration fee to enter the fun run which sets off from Abington Street at 6.30pm, but participants are being encouraged to raise as much sponsorship as possible with proceeds going to the British Heart Foundation to celebrate Northampton becoming one of 50 places in the UK to be designated a Heart Town as part of the charity’s 50th anniversary this year.

Councillor David Mackintosh, Northampton Borough Council cabinet advisor, said: "Night Run Northampton promises to be a fun night out for friends, families and work colleagues.  Participants will benefit from a bit of exercise whist taking in some of the town’s fantastic heritage, being entertained and raising money for a great cause all at the same time.  This is the very first night run in the UK, which makes it even more exciting. 

"And if running isn’t for you, then come along on the night anyway to watch the entertainment and cheer on family and friends; it will be a great evening out.”

Online registration is open from now until 26 October by visiting www.marketsquareevents.com