Here is the letter that was sent to the Government office for the East Midlands.
Re: Planning Policy in Northampton
Dear Sirs;
On behalf of NTFC Supporters Ltd, I am seeking clarification of GOEM’s view of the planning policy situation in and around Northampton.
We are aware that the three Local Authorities in the West Northants area have been charged with preparing a “Joint Core Strategy” for the Northampton Implementation Area identified in the Regional Spatial Strategy. We understand that this is under way but has been delayed by a change to the way that the document is to be produced i.e. a single plan for the whole area rather than three separate plans.
Our particular concern is with the “Sixfields Area Action Plan” proposed by Northampton Borough Council which will, amongst other things, designate a site for a District Centre to serve the new housing developments to the west of the town. We as a body support the proposal by Northampton Town F.C. to locate the centre on land under the joint control of N.T.F.C and English Partnerships which would provide vital funds to secure the redevelopment of the Sixfields Stadium.
The preparation of this plan has suffered a number of delays since it first started in 2002, the latest one being that the decision on the preferred location of the District Centre will now be November 2007 and not August 2006. One reason that has been offered is that the Area Action Plan cannot be produced until the overall policies contained in the Core Strategy have been adopted. An alternative view has been given to us that GOEM are aware of the particular problems of Northampton and the Sixfields area and have given Northampton Borough Council support in producing the Action Area Plan in advance of the Core Strategy.
We would be most grateful if you could inform us of GOEM’s view of the situation with regard to the preparation of the Sixfields Action Area Plan.
Could you also indicate if you would be prepared to sit down with Northampton Borough Council and a representative from Northampton Town Football Club to try to sort out a quicker way that this matter can be resolved?
We look forward to hearing from you. I have also put my mobile phone number on here, if you are able to discuss this matter with me in more detail.
