MEMBERS of the public are invited to comment on the development of a new masterplan for Northampton, which identifies how five priority areas could be improved in order to transform the centre of the town.
The five areas are Marefair and Gold Street, the Market Square, Greyfriars, Fish Street and St Giles’ Street and Abington Street (Eastgate).
Northampton Forward is undertaking the consultation, and the proposals are now available to view, along with an online survey, at www.northampton.gov.uk/northamptonforward
Cllr Jonathan Nunn, leader of Northampton Borough Council and Chair of the Northampton Forward Board, said: “We have ambitious aspirations for our town and want to ensure that we can translate them into something deliverable.”
“So we’ve asked 5plus architects, who have done some brilliant work revitalising Manchester and other towns across the country, to develop these proposals for us.
“We are extremely keen for people to give their views, all the information and an accompanying survey can be accessed from the Borough Council’s website until the end of June at www.northampton.gov.uk/northamptonforward
“We absolutely want to develop a plan which people can get behind and which delivers the best result for Northampton residents and visitors.”
Potential changes include delivering modern retail units, introducing more office space, and encouraging higher levels of residential.
The plans could also look at improved public spaces and shop fronts, along with the creation of attractive links between the various parts of the town centre, to make them more accessible.
Grosvenor Centre Manager, James Roberts, who is also on the Northampton Forward board, said: “There is enormous potential to be realised within Northampton, this, coupled with a fantastic energy to drive change by passionate individuals, community groups and the Northampton Forward board, means there are exciting challenges to transform the town.”
Northampton Forward is a public/private partnership which was formed earlier this year to create a vision for the town and drive forward a strategic programme of improvements.
Its board is formed of a wide range of partners including: Northampton Borough Council, Northamptonshire County Council, Northants Police, Grosvenor Centre, Northampton Town Centre BID, University of Northampton, Royal and Derngate, LiftNN (Community representative), South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), Tricker’s and Northamptonshire Chamber
The proposals and the online survey can be accessed online at: northampton.gov.uk/northamptonforward
Paper copies of the survey are available from the Guildhall One-Stop-Shop on St Giles’ Square during opening hours, and any questions about the consultation can be sent to or Regeneration (consultation), First Floor, The Guildhall, St Giles’ Square, Northampton, NN1 1DE.
The consultation closes on Sunday, 30 June.