NORTHAMPTON – A FINER TOWN THERE'LL NEVER BE?
Northampton is growing fast. Here is a quote from the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation [WNDC], the Government agency responsible for managing the growth.
"Northampton, together with Daventry and Towcester, has been identified by central Government as a prime location for growth that will attract significant new investment from both the private and public sectors. The West Northamptonshire area is already recognised around the world as a centre with a fine tradition in craft and industry. Its towns, villages and rural areas have a rich mix of heritage buildings and fine landscapes. With increased investment, and the area’s strategic location at the centre of England, it now has the opportunity to become recognised for its creativity, innovation, cutting edge design and outstanding quality of life.
In short, a world class Northampton in a world class West Northamptonshire."
Later in the WNDC document "Realising the Opportunity" they talk of West Northamptonshire in the future.
"Over the next 25 years, West Northamptonshire will change significantly. Interrelated economic, technological, environmental, political and social trends will impact on the way people and communities live."
"In the short and medium term, the main driver of change in the West Northamptonshire will be the Government’s growth agenda, as set out in the Sustainable Communities Plan, which aims to tackle housing shortages in the wider South East. The Sustainable Communities Plan emphasised that the Government was not simply committed to the delivery of additional housing-it was committed to creating sustainable communities."
By 2030 Northampton will grow from today’s population of 200,000 to 300,000. Northampton will grow to the size of Leicester, Coventry or close to that of Nottingham. We should remember that our near neighbour Milton Keynes will grow to a similar size and therefore we need to be able to match the Stadium’ facilities of all these areas. We should be planning and developing now on an ambitious scale-that applies equally to the town centre, district centres, university, hospitals and local football, rugby and cricket clubs etc. A proud football club at a landmark stadium, well connected to principal roads, motorways and public transport with a range of retail, hotels, restaurants, bars, and a cinema surrounding would be an essential part of the jigsaw of a sustainable community. As Northampton grows an enlarged Sixfields and a vibrant town centre would complement each other. Under these terms the long term viability and success of NTFC could be said to be an important regeneration issue in creating a sustainable community in Northampton. It would go a long way towards supporting the WNDC’s objectives. NTFC Supporters Limited is keen to create a better understanding between the football club, WNDC, Northampton Borough Council, the County Council, Northamptonshire Enterprise, and East Midlands Development Agency etc. to work towards these shared objectives. NTFC Supporters Limited feels that their interests are not just the narrow ones of one amongst many sporting clubs in the area. Northampton Town Football Club is a major flag waver for Northampton along with the Saints and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club.
The outside world’s consciousness of Northampton is minimal despite the earlier comments of the WNDC. Our fantastic heritage of making quality footwear and the references to our clubs in the sporting pages of national newspapers, on the radio, TV etc is almost the only profile Northampton or the County has, apart from speeding past the signs on the M1. We need to work harder to boost pride and confidence in the area and I know that the major agencies would support that notion.
Supporting your local team is a key ingredient in the development of a sustainable community. Where a majority of football fans support the top six Premiership spoilt millionaires an opportunity is lost to strengthen the home community. Cobblers’ fans sing and chant the name "Northampton, Northampton" at home and in football grounds around the country. We have one song that has the line in it, "A finer town there’ll never be." It may have an element of wishful thinking about it but as an expression of loyalty to the town it cannot be faulted. In short Northampton Town Football Club is Northampton. Cobblers’ fans have supported Northampton, the town, since the year dot. At a critical moment in the future viability of League football in Northampton, the club needs Northampton, the town, to support it. We need all the public agencies to put their collective minds and resources to the task of sorting out the Sixfields planning issues with the urgency it requires. The question for NBC, NCC and WNDC is, are we doing everything we can to achieve this shared objective?
A thriving Football Club as part of a thriving town – Let’s make it happen!
NTFC Supporters Limited
