Archive for category: News

One week into the engagement, more than 800 people have shared their views on the emerging vision. They have shared their ideas on the future of the area, ideas for temporary uses of the site while it is being developed, and many personal memories of Greyfriars in past years.

The 14 acre area includes the former bus station site, East and West Island, Mayorhold Multistorey Car Park, Belgrave House, Corn Exchange and Victoria Street Car Park.

Residents, visitors, businesses, and community organisations are being asked to provide their ideas for the future of this area and celebrate the heritage of the site through sharing their memories of Greyfriars from years gone by.

Feedback so far indicates that culture and craft should be at the heart of Greyfriars, with hundreds of ideas given about what form this could take. Some examples given include having workshops to rent, craft studios, music venues, independent retail space, and places for new artists and talent to start up.

Comments also suggest that it would be beneficial to have different generations living at Greyfriars, with multi-generational living including a mix of build-to-rent, build-to-buy, later living and student accommodation.

Landscaped park spaces, where people can gather, sit and relax are important to many who have responded to the survey so far. Play and playfulness form a core part of the vision. Hundreds of ideas have been shared about what this could look like, from interactive water features, art trails and outdoor games areas, to nature trails, outdoor gym equipment and play areas for children.

Walking and cycling routes, getting around the area, and making Emporium Way more inviting are key parts of the future of Greyfriars. The vast majority of respondents agree this is a priority within any suggested improvements in the area, to make it easier for people to get to Greyfriars. Some of these ideas include better lighting and signage, dedicated cycle routes and safer pedestrian access.

The online engagement launched on Tuesday, 5 December and will run through until Sunday, 7 January. Visit ampnorthampton.com to view the emerging vision to amplify the area and have your say.

Greyfriars is the largest brownfield opportunity within West Northamptonshire and represents a significant opportunity to deliver transformative change for the town. The site boasts a prime location at the heart of town, next to the ongoing transformation of the historic Market Square and redevelopment of the former Marks and Spencer’s and BHS units. The central location provides a unique opportunity to transform this part of the town centre and have a positive impact on the wider area.

WNC is working with consultation experts, Deetu and architects, Studio Egret West to develop the engagement and proposed plans for the future scheme. The emerging vision includes new high-quality homes offering multi-generational living, dedicated community space, a new park as well as exploring where commercial and leisure uses could be developed. A core element of the proposals is to improve connectivity within the surrounding area and provide enhanced walking and cycling.

The initial feedback collated from the first stage of engagement will be considered by WNC and a highly experienced multi-disciplinary team of architects, transport and commercial experts, to develop a vision by spring 2024 and launch a second stage of engagement.

Members of the Cabinet met last night (Tuesday, 12 Dec) to discuss a range of saving and efficiency proposals which will allow the West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to balance its books, while protecting the most vulnerable in our community and tackling the rise in costs and demand for services.

The proposals are now open to public feedback for six weeks until midnight on Tuesday, 23 January. The final budget will be presented to the full Council in February 2024.

People can have their say on the budget proposals by completing the survey on our Consultation Hub. The survey can be accessed online for free at libraries across West Northants, or you can request a copy in another format by emailing haveyoursay@westnorthants.gov.uk or phoning 0300 126 7000.

Councillor Malcolm Longley, Cabinet Member for Finance at West Northamptonshire Council, said:

“We have worked hard to shape a robust, balanced draft budget that prioritises our resources to support our most vulnerable residents and protect frontline services in the most cost-effective way possible.

“Your feedback is very important to us, as it empowers us to make informed decisions and drive positive changes in our communities. So, please take the time to tell us what you think. You don’t have to answer all of the questions or provide feedback on every section, you can choose to focus on the areas that are most important to you.”

The budget proposals for next year are made up of a £409.2m net revenue budget (excluding grant-funded schools’ expenditure of £451m) and also include £25.7m of efficiencies through planned improvements in productivity and additional income generation.

To help WNC balance the books whilst continuing to protect services during its fourth year as a unitary authority, the draft budget proposals include:

• Increasing fees and charges broadly in line with inflation, to ensure they continue to properly reflect today’s operating costs.
• Proposing to raise Council Tax by 4.99% This increase equates to an average rise of £1.63 a week on a Band D property.
• Continuing to review services and restructure teams within the organisation, introducing new, more efficient ways of working to make back-office savings without impacting on how services are delivered to residents.

During 2024/25 the Council also plans to invest a total of almost £143m in its capital programme, to improve local infrastructure and assets such as land, buildings and equipment.

It is also set to spend an estimated £20m in public health funding from the Government in the year ahead to progress a range of schemes aimed at improving residents’ wellbeing, reducing health inequalities and continuing to support communities through the ongoing cost of living challenges.

Within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) there are plans to invest £54m of capital funds in social housing during the next financial year, which forms part of a total five-year capital programme which amounts to £279m. Also built into the plans is investment in decarbonisation which is estimated to impact on 500 homes.

The capital investment in 2024-25 includes:

• £7m on external improvements
• £11m on internal works improvements
• £2.3m on disabled adaptations
• £24m on new build programmes and major projects; and
• £10m on buying back social housing and for spot purchases of suitable properties.

In addition to this the Council will spend approximately £65m on managing and maintaining the existing housing stock which is funded primarily by Housing Rents received from current tenants.

To ensure this can be achieved, the draft budget proposals include an increase in rents in our rented housing of 7.7% in line with the Government’s amended Rent Standard.

Cabinet will consider the final budget for 2024/25 on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 for recommendation to the full Council meeting on Thursday, 22 February 2024; subject to any changes made following consideration of the consultation feedback, the Local Government financial settlement and the latest financial position.

These stalls are a bespoke design with unique features, designed specifically for the needs of the Northampton Market traders. They are made of heavy-duty steel frames with robust cladding, which provides a sustainable and robust product. They include automated shutters which provide customers with shelter when up and security for traders when closed; this high level of security was requested by traders, so they are able to securely leave their produce in the units.

Although there are different types of units – some with a counter, some with a shop front and others that are fully open – all stalls can be fitted to the needs of individual traders, have space for their branding and signage and have access to utilities such as power, lighting and water. There will also be semi-permanent stalls in the Market Square to provide a mix of options for traders with different needs and encourage a greater variety of products and services for customers.

The market stalls have been installed, this will allow the supporting infrastructure and paving surrounding these to progress. Traders, who have been involved with in the design of the stalls, will have an opportunity to visit them in the new year.

Councillor Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth at West Northamptonshire Council said:

“I am thrilled to see the first of Northampton’s new market stalls being delivered this week. Working closely with our partners Stepnell, it is great to see the project progress and reach important milestones such as this.

“We will continue to liaise with market traders and keep encouraging everyone to visit the temporary market on Commercial Street with events such as the free outdoor ice-skating taking place there this winter.”

The stalls were designed and manufactured by Asteco Industria (Prestige Kiosks) who won the contract to supply the stalls after a competitive tendering process which included UK based and European suppliers. Prestige offered the best quality product and best value for money following this process.

To stay up to date with regeneration across Northampton visit www.wearenorthampton.com