Kingsthorpe FOCUS

The Council are consulting on plans for dog control orders on selected open spaces in the area. For most parks, this will make no difference at all, for some allotments, cemeteries and other places dogs will have to be kept on a lead, and in a very few areas, like bowling greens and childrens play areas, dogs will not be allowed at all. The places where it is proposed dogs should be kept on a lead in our area are:-

Harborough Rd. cemetery.
Kingsthorpe/Thornton Park allotments
Studland Rd allotments
Welford Rd allotments

In addition dogs will be completely excluded from the bowling greens and tennis courts in Kingsthorpe Recreation ground.

Let Richard or Sally know if you have any views on these proposals.

The following is a letter I have written for publication in the Chronicle & Echo. I know many people are really angry about what has happened.

For the last three years, residents in the area I represent have joined together to protect and improve their local environment. Tirelessly, day by day, week by week, they raised enough money to buy a plot known as Kingsthorpe Meadows to create a community-owned wildlife park. Their plans have won the support of the River Nene Regional Park and West Northamptonshire Development Corporation.

Today, their dreams lie in ruins due to Labour councillor Ifty Choudary.

Earlier this year, Cllr Choudary outbid local residents at auction – bidding nearly twice the land’s market value - before proclaiming to the press that he had won the land for the community.

If Cllr. Choudary really had local residents at heart, you would expect him to talk to them and their representatives about it. Never once did he approach Sally Beardsworth or I as the local councillors about his plans. Since acquiring the land, Cllr Choudary’s statements about his plans for the land have been varied and evasive. He is also yet to explain why he is providing cover for an alleged anonymous buyer.

It’s time now for local councillors, community leaders and MP’s – of whatever party to stand up and be counted, to support local residents and ensure their hopes for their community are not thwarted.

Whatever Cllr Choudary’s motives, he must now be told, enough is enough. As a local representative himself he must think long and hard about the damage he is doing to the interests of a large part of our town.

Three years ago, there was a real threat of an illegal traveller encampment on the same site. Labour MP Sally Keeble was there for every photo opportunity and every media call. Today, Kingsthorpe residents want to know: Where are you now, Sally? – Whatever Cllr Choudary’s politics, he must be told to stop.

I would urge Mrs Keeble, and leaders across the town, to campaign for this land, and ensure its future as a community-owned park.

Richard Church
Borough Councillor for Kingsthorpe

Labour councillor Ifty Choudary has finally agreed to sell the land at Kingsthorpe Meadows to the NN2 Residents Association. After three weeks of uncertainty since he outbid the residents association at auction, this is a huge relief to the many people who have worked tirelessly to raise funds to buy the land for the local community.

I hope that the transfer of the land now goes smoothly, and that we can look forward to the land being a green and pleasant place for us all to enjoy.

UPDATE- Monday 20th Oct. It seems things are still not sorted!

Plans were revelaled at Tuesday’s neighbourhoood meeting for earth mounds to be put on a corner of Kingsthorpe Rec to provide a track for BMX bikers. Young people came to the meeting to speak in support of the idea. The mounds would be placed well away from housing, and would be funded by my colleague John Yates out of his Council Council ‘empowering councillors’ fund.

Instead of adults telling young people what they will have, this idea has come from young people themselves, and they have the guts to come to a public meeting in speak up for it against some opposition. A minority too often give young people a bad name, but they deserve a place which is their idea, their design and somewhere they can call their own.

Sadly, the NN2 residents association were outbid at auction for the land by the river known as Kingsthorpe Meadows. The highest bid was placed by Labour councillor Iftikhar Choudary acting on behalf of an anonymous bidder.

Councillor Choudary has never discussed his plans with Sally Beardsworth or myself as local councillors, and he does not speak or act on behalf of the council. Any plans to build a mosque or any other large building there would require planning permission, and as we know, the land is largely in the floodplain and has been identified as open space in the local plan.

We will wait to see what is proposed. If Cllr Choudary has plans for community use of the land, it is disappointing that he did not discuss these with residents or the councillors for the area before the auction. We will continue to support residents in their efforts to protect the land for the local community and await with interest news of Cllr. Choudary’s plans.

7.00pm 23rd September Pastures Community Centre, Acre Lane.

All welcome. Your chance to have your say on the work of the Kingsthorpe neighbourhood board. Police update and info on grass roots funding.

A planning application has been submitted for a smoking area and dining area in the car park at the back of the Cock Hotel. The planning reference is N/2008/0954 and the plans can be viewed on the Borough Council’s website or at the council officers in the Guildhall or Cliftonville House.

Plans were revealed at the Kingsthorpe Village Conservation Area Committee meeting tonight for a new village noticeboard and a decorative village sign to go near the junction of Kingswell Rd. and The Green. The sign will be 3 metres tall on an oak post, with a local stone base. It will be decorated with pictures of the the church, the Methodist chapel, the old Walkers Mill that used to be on Mill Lane, and the Seal of King John which is held in John the Baptist Church.

The noticeboard will be erected close by in memory of Derek Simpson, a well known village personality (and Focus deliverer), who sadly died earlier this year. Sally Beardsworth is contributing some of her County Council ‘empowering councillors’ budget to the project.

The Kingsthorpe Conservation Committee was set up some years ago to to speak up for the protection of the old village, which is a designated conservation area. It is consulted by the Borough Council on planning applications in the village, and is increasingly taking action itself to create a special environment in the village. The proposed design of the decorative village sign is superb, a great focal point for the village.

Why not join the b-Active programme?
1-day a week programme that helps you find a job/training. Every Wednesday starting on 3rd September at St David’s Church Hall (1.30-3.30pm)

• Increase your skills and confidence by taking part in team activities. It’s fun!
• Get involved in a community project
• Take part in a skills workshop: Driver theory or Sports coaching award
• Learn life skills such as Cooking or Painting & Decorating

Want to find out more?
Call (01604) 828400, or 07793 267990 and ask for Pete or Annie.

B-Active and chase those opportunities!

Northampton Borough Council has tonight objected to plans to build 1,250 homes at Buckton Fields, next to Whitehills and Spring Park in Kingsthorpe. The planning application will be decided by Daventry District Council, but Northampton Borough Council has objected on grounds of the traffic impact in Kingsthorpe. Andrew Simpson, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Northampton North had written in with his objection, and local councillors for Boughton Green, Trini Crake and John Yates have added their support to the objections.

If the Government insists, we cannot stop new development on green fields around Northampton, but we should not accept development without the roads and local facilities neccessary to protect the quality of life of existing residents.