Northamptonshire County Council has agreed to equal representation on a joint committee that will help shape the future of the local government reorganisation - bringing to an end a row with the district and borough councils.

The make-up of the committee resulted in a massive disagreement between the leaders of the district and borough councils, and the leader of the county council, Councillor Matt Golby.

All parties had originally agreed at a behind-closed-doors steering group that each of the councils would have equal representation on the committees, which will help kickstart the formal process of the formation of two new unitary authorities in the west and north of the county.

But district leaders rounded on Councillor Golby after county council papers showed that the authority wanted half of all the seats.

Daventry leader Councillor Chris Millar said Councillor Golby had been ‘dishonourable and crass’ in breaking the agreement, while the decision also led to the resignation of Councillor Martin Griffiths as an assistant member of the county council cabinet.
But it has now been confirmed that the county has rowed back on its demand for extra seats, and the committees will be equal after all.

The news was welcomed by Councillor Griffiths, who is also the leader of the Borough Council of Wellingborough.

He said: “I am glad that common sense has prevailed

“There are excellent councillors on the controlling group of the county council, including a large number who were elected in May 2017 and who in a relatively short and turbulent time have worked really hard to get the council functioning better. Their voices and those of the seven district and borough leaders have been listened to.

“Delivering two successful unitary councils needs unity not sovereignty and the people of Northamptonshire deserve, and should demand, that their elected councillors put residents first and foremost to achieve an orderly and smooth transition.”

Speaking this evening (February 19), Councillor Golby said his demands had changed after a meeting with his fellow Conservative county councillors earlier this week.

The recommendation for equal representation is likely to be included for approval at the authority’s next full council meeting on February 28.

Councillor Golby said: “We spoke to our group and the papers will now generally reflect those views.

“I said all along that it was something that we have to work through and find a resolution to, without making a big deal of it from our end.”

The joint committees, which will meet in public, will now have four councillors each from Daventry, Northampton, South Northamptonshire and the county for the west unitary, and three each from the county, Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby and East Northamptonshire for the north.

It brings to an end a turbulent few days for Councillor Golby, who has faced severe criticism from his Conservative colleagues for the reneging of the original agreement, before now deciding to abide by it.

Asked if it was himself who had made the decision, or whether the call for extra seats had been orchestrated from higher up by the chief executive or government appointed commissioners, Councillor Golby said: “It was myself that put the numbers into the paper, and it was my decision. But I wanted to get the view of our group, and we have adjusted it accordingly.”

Born prematurely at 30 weeks, Kayla Eales spent the first seven weeks of her life on the special baby unit and was rushed to see an out-of-hours doctor just two weeks later with a cold.

The doctor assured Kayla's parents, Gemma and Anthony, that it was all 'upper airway noise and her chest was clear' and with that advice no further action.

Sadly, she was suffering with more than just a cold and she ended up being rushed to A&E where she had no oxygen to her brain for three minutes. In the time it took Kayla to be hooked up to the ventilator, unfortunately this resulted in brain damage, which led to cerebral palsy.

Her mum, Gemma, said: "Kayla has been accepted for a life-changing operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), which will relieve her of the spasticity that is crippling her body.

"The possibilities of SDR mean we, as parents, can fulfil her wishes to be able to walk, play and dance like other children.

"With all of this she still lights up the room, always has a smile from the moment she wakes up.

"Kayla has an infectious personality and is loved by all who she meets."

Now, at eight years old, Kayla, from Thorplands, is still unable to walk without the use of her walking frame.

Having cerebral palsy causes her body to be very stiff and she has to perform painful stretches each day.

The £60,000 raised will fund three years of Kayla's post-operation physiotherapy, therapy and any equipment she will need.

"Kayla has been through so much in her life but is the happiest girl you will ever meet," Gemma added.

"The money would mean that we can give her 100 per cent chance of walking and that’s all she ever asks for. She just wants to do the simple things in life, free from pain."

If you want to donate click here.

Cobblers boss Keith Curle admits it is ‘frustrating’ to watch his players produce the good in training but then fail to step up to the plate when gameday comes around.

Curle has spoken previously about the challenges of trying to coax the best out of players when it matters most - on matchdays - and it seems he believes that remains a problem with the current Town squad.

The Cobblers drew 0-0 at home to Crawley on Saturday and have only three wins in their last 19 games, a run that dates back to November and leaves them 16th in League Two, 10 points above relegation.

“It’s frustrating when you see the work that we do with the players and then when it comes to gameday, the decisions and the quality they show through the week eludes them and they take the wrong option,” said Curle.

“You’ll find players who do that are League Two players and that’s why I mention about the recruitment because we need players who will turn up on gameday and understand their roles and deliver and perform for the team.

“Up and down the country there are a lot of players that look very good on a Thursday and a Friday but on a gameday they make the wrong choices and the wrong decisions and what we need to do is encourage the players to make the right decisions at the right times.

“Those times are on gameday. There were times on Saturday when we had the opportunity to enter the final third but the quality wasn’t there and we made the wrong decisions.”

Asked how he goes about getting his players to perform in matches, Curle added: “A lot of is about repetition and doing the right things throughout the week. We want a learning environment and we’ll do the video analyses where we’ll highlight the good, the bad and the ugly.

“That’s what we try and do. We want to create an environment where players go out onto the pitch without the fear of making a mistake but with the understanding of their jobs and what they need to do.”

Northamptonshire gin makers Warner Edwards will have a show garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Britain’s leading super-premium, farm-born gin is bringing a touch of its countryside home to the RHS show, partnering with esteemed garden designer Helen Elks-Smith.

The award-winning garden designer is using inspiration from the natural springs at Falls Farm in Harrington, near Rothwell – the home of the Warner Edwards Gin Distillery.

Said to be built ‘on rock and water’, the naturally occurring springs and aquifers of Falls Farm inspired a playful and imaginative water feature, that appears and disappears throughout the garden.

Regionally-sourced natural stone and materials will anchor the design which contains a complex cantilevered roof and supporting structure.

Oxford artist Wendy Newhofer is creating bespoke, hand crafted glass panels which will feature a blue tint created from copper reacting with the glass – inspired by the distillation process that takes place at the farm.

With a nod to architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece Fallingwater and an emphasis on the horizontal plane, an enclosure has been designed for relaxed entertaining with views to the wider landscape beyond and underpinned by subtle, textural planting.

The garden will feature planting such as Juniperus Communis – an evergreen conifer which has berries that are used to flavour gin; Crataegus Persimilis ‘Prunifolia’ – a broad-leaved cockspur thorn; mixed native hedging – an important part of English countryside and Rosmarinus officinalis – which will be used on site to garnish gin and tonics.

The garden will provide a relaxed space for socialising and engaging with family and friends, and central to the design is an impressive sheltered courtyard referencing the tranquil setting of Falls Farm.

Situated on Main Avenue, the garden’s central column will include elements of copper and water inspired by the internal process that occurs in Curiosity – the still that creates the six famed Warner Edwards gin variants.

Tom Warner said: “In Helen, we have found someone who has the experience and vision to bring our brand to life in garden form.

“We knew immediately she would be perfect and had to get her on board.

“Last year, we were lucky enough to win a silver award, and so our hopes are high for another win this year!

“We quickly discovered that she had an existing love for our gin, and already knew the brand, but not the story.

“Helen joined us at Falls Farm, where we took her through the distillation process and our farm-born story.

“She built a real connection with the farm and our story, and within a few days, she had produced a stunning visual design that really connected and resonated with us – we can’t wait to see it come to life in May!”

Helen Elks-Smith said: “I’m so excited to be working with Warner Edwards.

“I’m a huge fan of their gin, and it’s been really interesting to learn so much about how they sustainably grow and distil the liquid on their farm.

“The designs we’ve created take inspiration from a number of the farm’s features, such as the springs and the natural stone.”

To celebrate their third year of exhibiting at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Warner Edwards will be serving refreshing gin-based cocktails and long drinks at their Gin Barn Bar, a wonderful re-creation of their farm, distillery and botanical gardens.

They will also be busily distilling an exclusive gin live in the Jardin Blanc hospitality suite.

Warner Edwards has an ongoing partnership with the RHS and since launching Honeybee Gin in 2017 has been donating a portion of the profits from sales towards RHS initiatives.

Consumers who purchase a bottle of Honeybee Gin receive a packet of wildflower seeds to plant their own bee-friendly botanicals and support Warner Edwards’ commitment to helping the bee population.

An ongoing partnership with RHS Garden Wisley now sees Warner Edwards hives from Falls Farm permanently sited in Wisley’s Heather Garden where the Warner Edwards team are educating the local Wisley team on beekeeping and supporting pollinators.

Skipper Alex Wakely says last week's joint training session with Saints was an eye-opener for the Northants squad.

The cricketers headed to Franklin's Gardens to train with players from the town's Premiership rugby team and were put through their paces with a range of rugby-related drills and games.

The Gardens has hosted Northants regularly over the past few years, helping the Steelbacks celebrate their Vitality Blast wins in 2013 and 2016.

But this was the first time that a joint training session had been held in this way.

"Over the years we've had a decent relationship with the Saints," Wakely said.

"In the past we've come to Franklin's Gardens and had a bit of fun, but this was a proper fitness session.

"It's nice when we can help each other out. The Saints boys come and watch us and there are four or five of the cricket lads who like their rugby and go and watch on a regular basis.

"It was a pretty tough session. When you're watching on TV you don't get a full appreciation of how physically fit and tough rugby players are.

"When you're up close you see they're big lads, but they're also fit with it.

"For me we're lucky to have a town with three major sports teams so it's good to make the most of it."

The Northants skipper, who renewed his contract at the club earlier in the winter, says that there is a new and improved focus among the players ahead of the 2019 campaign.

"Last year was disappointing for us," Wakely said. "We've gone back to the drawing board and want to put things right this year.

"There's an appreciation that we've got to work harder, especially on our fitness, and on the cricket things as well people have been working hard.

"We know that every year the game gets harder, the game gets stronger, so we have to stick to that and work harder."

As well as having the likes of Wakely, Josh Cobb, Nathan Buck and Rob Newton put pen to paper on new deals, Northants have also confirmed the signings of international stars Jason Holder, Temba Bavuma and Faheem Ashraaf for portions of the coming season.

"Signing someone like Jason Holder is a massive coup for the club, especially with what he's done in the Test series against England," Wakely said.

"He's someone I can learn from as a captain and the players will be looking forward to it, too.

"I'm certainly excited by the squad.

"But it also shows where the club want to go; we're not just prepared to sit there and let other clubs beat us, we want to be competitive and winning trophies.

"There are a few people in the changing room who have experienced winning silverware and we want to get back to winning ways."

UPDATE: A45 between Northampton and Wellingborough has REOPENED following a serious crash this morning

UPDATE: Driver's injuries 'not life-threatening' following A45 crash this morning

UPDATE: Highways team explain why such a long stretch of A45 in Northamptonshire is closed

Highways England posted this morning: "#A45 eastbound will be CLOSED at the #A428 Barnes Meadow junction to the #A509 Wilby Way junction due to a serious collision. Updates will follow but please plan for another route if you need to travel in that area this morning."

The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance was called to the scene but there is no further information at this stage as to the nature of the injuries.

The AA reported that the accident happened on the A45 eastbound from B573 Doddington Road to A45 / A509 Bourton Way (Wellingborough).

The AA is reporting that traffic is backed up on the A45 northbound, past Junction 15 of the M1. There are are also long delays on Mereway.

A police spokesman said the accident happened at about 6.15am and involved a van and a flatbed lorry.

The force said four fire crews - including a technical rescue vehicle - and an ambulance were sent to the scene.An air ambulance was also spotted at the scene.

Rush hour traffic was being diverted along the A428 with motorists advised to avoid the area.

Because of the potential impact on parking, rubbish collection and noise an application has to be approved by the borough council, whether by officers or a committee of councillors. These are all the HIMO planning applications submitted so far in 2019.

More council houses are being sold under Right to Buy in Northampton, bucking the trend across England.

The Local Government Association says there is a “desperate need” to stop sales and invest more in increasing the stock of affordable homes.

The latest figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that Northampton Borough Council sold 138 council houses under the Right to Buy scheme, between April 2017 and March 2018.

It was up from 125 the previous year.

Northampton Borough Council earned £8.7 million from the sale of 138 homes.

Right to Buy was implemented by the Conservative government in 1980, with the aim of helping council house tenants buy their rented homes at a discount.

There were 181 applications for Right to Buy in the 12 months to March 2018.

During the period, 12 of every 1,000 houses owned by the council in Northampton were sold.

The ratio is above the average for England, where eight of every 1,000 council houses were purchased by the tenant.

Judith Blake, a Local Government Association housing spokesperson, said money spent on housing benefit should go towards building new homes to tackle the housing crisis.

She said: “The loss of social housing means that we are spending more and more on housing benefit to supplement expensive rents, instead of investing in genuinely affordable homes.

“The Government must go beyond the limited measures announced so far, scrap the housing borrowing cap, and enable all councils across the country to borrow to build once more.

“We have long called for reforms to Right to Buy, in order to allow councils to build more homes to set discounts locally, and to keep 100% of receipts from homes sold.”

Nationally, more than 27,000 tenants applied to buy a home from the social housing stock, which includes council and housing association properties.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Right to Buy has helped people who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to afford to buy. Sadly, we’re still building far fewer homes than we’re selling off.

“This has hugely reduced the amount of social housing available, and is nothing short of a disaster when hundreds of thousands of people are homeless and millions are struggling in deeply insecure and expensive private renting.

“There’s an obvious solution: build more social homes and ensure those sold are always replaced. We need 3.1 million new social homes over the next twenty years.”

Nationally, 12,865 council houses were purchased by tenants in 2017-18 - about 600 fewer than the previous year.

House prices in Northamptonshire crept up by 0.5% in December, contributing to a 3.8% rise over the last 12 months.

The latest data from the Office of National Statistics shows that the average property in the area sold for £230,250 – slightly under the UK average of £230,776.

Across the East Midlands, property prices have risen by 4.2% in the last year, to £192,748. The region outperformed the UK as a whole, which saw the average property value increase by 2.5%.

The data comes from the House Price Index, which the ONS compiles using house sale information from the Land Registry, and the equivalent bodies in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The average homeowner in Northamptonshire will have seen their property jump in value by around £69,000 in the last five years.

The figures also showed that buyers who made their first step onto the property ladder in Northamptonshire in December spent an average of £193,575 – around £58,000 more than it would have cost them five years ago.

Looking at the national picture, Frances Clacy, residential research analyst at estate agents Savills, said: “House prices across the UK increased by 2.5% in 2018 leaving them at an average of £230,776. This compares to average increases of 4.5% and 5.2% in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

“The figures are in line with our mainstream house price growth forecasts for the five years to 2023, which represent a small closing of the gap between London, the South East and other regions.

“That said, the gap remains wide – the average house price in London is £473,822 compared to £164,352 across the North West, the region we expect to show the strongest growth over the next five years.

“In the short term, sentiment will remain the primary driver of house price movements and the economic implications of Brexit, and what this might mean for household finances lies at the heart of this. We are anticipating growth of around 15% across the UK as a whole.”

Between November 2017 and October last year, the most recent 12 months for which sales volume data is available, 13,358 homes were sold in Northamptonshire, 8% fewer than in the previous year.

The highest house prices in the country in December were found in London’s Kensington and Chelsea, where properties sold for an average of £1.39 million – 17 times the cost of a home in Burnley, where the average property cost just £84,000.

Cecelia Bowman, of Swansea Crescent, Northampton

Marcel Caisin, aged 28, of Eastern Avenue North, Northampton.

Rachel Collyer, aged 57, of Woodford Street, Northampton

Alexsanders Dankobs, aged 30, of Lindsay Avenue

Melissa Edwards, aged 44, of Dryleys Court, Northampton

Niambh Freeland, aged 54, of Derby Road, Northampton

Dimitri Griskevik, aged 25, of Derby Road, Notrhampton

Hayley Hammond, aged 36, of Leeson Road, Towcester
Marius Iordache, aged 24, of Parva Court, Northampton

Daniel Lacatus, aged 33, of Crestline Court, Northampton

Madalina Lamasanu, aged 31, of Brocade Close, Northampton

Linda Liepina, aged 25, of Artizan Road, Northampton

Skye MacDonald, aged 25, of Gray Street, Northampton

Adam Maddison, aged 45, of Duston Wildes, Northampton

Paul Miley, of Red House Lane, Northampton

Michael Morras, aged 30, of Forest Road, Northampton

Kimberly Murray, aged 22, of South Holme Court, Northampton

Erika Nagy, aged 22, of Kingsland Avenue, Northampton

Anna Nowak, aged 25, of Henry Bird Way, Northampton

Vasilys Petrov, aged 49, of Kettering Road, Northampton

Ian Rose, aged 58, of Louise Road, Northampton

Daniel Rudd, aged 29, of Cyrel Street, Northampton

Atis Skuda, aged 22, of Oat Hill Drive, Northampton

James Slater, aged 24, of Hawk Road, Daventry

Emilian Troanca, aged 20, of Dunster Street, Northampton

Jessica White, aged 29, of Overslade Close, Northampton

Northampton Borough Council is appealing for volunteers to help with the smooth running of its all-weather Winter Shelter, which will open every night until the end of March.

The Winter Shelter, which operates from the Hope Centre in Oasis House, is open from 9pm until 7am. Each day, it is staffed by a team leader, a female support worker and up to 10 volunteers.

Although the team leader and support worker provide the overnight cover, they are supported by a team of volunteers during the evening (8.30pm – 11.30pm) and the morning (6am – 7.30pm).

Volunteers’ responsibilities during these shifts include getting the Winter Shelter ready, welcoming and registering guests, serving refreshments and hot food, talking with guests and providing them with encouragement and information, and ensuring that the building is left clean and tidy.

Although no previous experience is necessary, volunteers must be friendly and approachable, reliable and enjoy working as part of a team.

Councillor Stephen Hibbert, cabinet member for housing, said: “We’re very grateful to the 52 volunteers that have already given up their spare time to help out at the Winter Shelter this year. They really have done a fantastic job.

“Now that the shelter is opening every day, we are keen to recruit as many volunteers as possible so that we can provide a safe and warm place for the town’s rough sleepers to come and stay and receive the encouragement, help and support to come off the streets.”

Find out more and register to be a Winter Shelter Volunteer at: www.northampton.gov.uk/swep

Tom Wood is ready to finish his career on a high at Franklin's Gardens after signing a new deal at Saints.

Last week, the 32-year-old revealed his desire to extend his contract at the club.

And on Wednesday morning, it was announced that Wood will be staying on beyond the summer, signing a one-year deal.

Now in his ninth year at the Gardens, Wood initially joined the club in 2010 from Worcester Warriors and was named Premiership player of the season in his debut campaign.

But the best was yet to come as Wood skippered Saints to a Premiership and European Challenge Cup double success in 2013-14, scoring the decisive try in the league semi-finals against Leicester Tigers to etch his name permanently into club folklore.

Wood will now remain at the Gardens for at least the 2019/20 season and he is hoping to help thrust the side back into contention for major honours.

“I’ve made it clear from the beginning that it was always my first choice to stay here with Northampton Saints, so the decision for me was a straightforward one,” Wood said.

“I feel as fit as ever and I believe we are on the right track towards success under the guidance of Chris Boyd and our other coaches – so I’m really enjoying my rugby.

“I care very deeply about this club and our passionate supporters; I’m desperate to help get us back to the very top of European rugby and to finish my career on a high at Franklin’s Gardens.

“I want to thank everyone at Saints for showing faith in me and giving me this opportunity to fulfil that aim.”

Capable of playing across all three back row positions, the abrasive and athletic Wood has also enjoyed a stellar international career during his time at Saints, winning 50 caps for England.

As well as appearing at two Rugby World Cups and captaining the side on three occasions, Wood helped the Red Rose to a Six Nations triumph in 2017.

And Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd believes the back row’s experience will be invaluable for the side next season.

Boyd said: “Woody’s been one of this club’s most faithful servants over the last decade, and since I have been in Northampton, I’ve been taken aback by his dedication to get back to his very best.

“When I arrived he had some injury concerns but he has worked incredibly hard to get that right, and his performances since returning to the side have been top class.

“Not only is he a well-respected leader in the dressing room, Tom’s abilities all over the park and in the set-piece make him a great option for us, so we’re delighted to keep him on board.”

Stevenage manager Dino Maamria could potentially face a touchline ban for Saturday’s League Two visit of Northampton after he was sent off against Lincoln City last weekend.

Maamria ran half the length of the pitch to celebrate after Ilias Chair’s stoppage-time strike earned his side a dramatic 2-2 draw against the league leaders, having been 2-0 down with five minutes to play.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp have been fined for similar celebrations this season, but Saturday’s incident was the second game running that Maamria had seen red.

He was also banished from the touchline at half-time of Stevenage’s defeat away to Tranmere the previous weekend, meaning he could be in hot water with the FA.

Maamria had been unhappy with several refereeing decisions during his side’s draw with Lincoln, telling the BBC: “Their first goal was offside, the referee missed it - they don’t know what they’re doing, but they were quick to send me off for celebrating the second goal.

“I keep saying we need stronger officials, because I think they’re top of the league because they get those decisions.

“I’m not trying to take away from the money they spend and the effort they put in, but I think on a level playing field they (Lincoln) would’ve lost that game today by two or three.”

Maamria had no regrets over the red card incident though, adding: “That’s football - I’d do it again now.”

There is a road closure eastbound between the A428 near Earls Barton and the A509 near Wellingborough following a collision between a van and lorry at 6.15am

There are also reports that the carriageway is closed between Queen Eleanor interchange and Barnes Meadow interchange.

Responding to questions about the length of carriageway closed, Highways England said it was necessary to ensure drivers followed the official diversion route in these circumstances - which is the A428.

Drivers are urged to follow the solid diamond diversion symbol.

The official route is:

Exit A45 at Barnes Meadow and take 4th exit for A428.

Continue through Brafield-on-the-Green until you come to roundabout for A509.

Take first exit onto A509 (London Road). Continue until Turnells Mill roundabout.

Take the second exit then continue under the A45, rejoining the A45 at southern roundabout.

Officers investigating a break-in at a warehouse in Wellingborough have released CCTV images of three men they believe may have information about the incident.

Between about 2am and 2.45am on Thursday, October 31, three men entered premises in Shaw Close on the Park Farm Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, and goods were stolen.

Police have only released the images today (February 20).

The men pictured, or anyone with information about their identity, should contact Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Information can also be shared anonymously with independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

But Northamptonshire Police have said the man, aged 29, is not is a life-threatening condition.

The news will come as a relief to many who drove past the scene from 6.15am this morning. The van appeared severely damaged by the impact with the lorry. No other injuries have been reported.

The carriageway had been closed near the scene of the collision - between Great Doddigton and Wilby Way - and at Queen Eleanor interchange in Northampton.

It allowed the air ambulance helicopter to land and firefighters to work on the van.

A police spokesman confirmed there had also been a fuel spillage on the carriageway.

The official diversion therefore came into effect, taking drivers onto the A428.

The A45 was officially reopened at about 11.15am.

An appeal for witnesses has been launched after a car crashed and overturned in Northampton yesterday.

Two people were injured in the single-vehicle collision on Roman Road (locally known as Nobottle Road) near Duston yesterday afternoon (February 19).

The crash happened at about 2.40pm when a car came off the road, went through a hedge, overturned and came to rest in a field.

The driver and passenger were taken to hospital for treatment.

Witnesses, or anyone who may have seen the vehicle prior to the collision, are asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or by calling the Drive Watch Hotline on 0800 174615, quoting incident number 254 of 19/02/19.

Highways closed the A45 eastbound between the A428 Barnes Meadow junction to the A509 Wilby Way junction after the crash, which happened at around 6.15am.

The closure has caused miles of tailbacks for anyone travelling in that direction throughout the morning.

Police have since confirmed that a van went into the back of a flatbed lorry.

The Warwickshire and Air Ambulance landed nearby as all emergency rushed to the scene.

The van driver is said to have non-life threatening injuries. No one else was hurt.

Highways England tweeted just after 11.15am: "The A45 has reopened following a serious collision this morning. there will be traffic queues around Barnes Meadow/Riverside area but these will clear over the next 20 minutes or so."

Highways team explain why such a long stretch of A45 in Northamptonshire is closed

A disused former leather works building in the Old Boot and Shoe Quarter in Northampton is set to be ‘brought back to life’ as residential flats.

The old Globe Leather Works building, a Grade II listed building on Dunster Street, has been vacant for years. But councillors have now given planning approval for it to be converted into 39 apartments.

The decision was made at a planning committee meeting of Northampton Borough Council last night (February 19) at The Guildhall.

Planning officer Nicky Scaife told the committee that a precedent had already been set by an approval for the overall site, which includes the neighbouring former Hawkins building, for 105 apartments. This was granted back in 2016.

However, Colin Clayson, of applicants Clayson Country Homes Ltd, told the committee that he had struggled to find a buyer for the overall site, and was now focussing his efforts on a smaller part of the site.

He says: "This is the easiest part of the buildings to save. I've been trying to save this overall site for years, but it's been difficult."

Mr Clayson said that if planning permission was granted, he would hope work would start later this year and be finished by the end of 2020.

The whole site has been delayed because the windows are seen as an important part of the heritage of the building, and a compromise on the appearance hasn't been reached for the Hawkins part. Mr Clayson said the Globe Leather Works building was potentially easier to do.

Historic England, having been consulted on the application, said: “We appreciate certain comprises may be necessary if former industrial buildings are to be converted to residential use, but believe loss of windows would be harmful to the significance of the heritage asset. We question whether secondary double glazing has been considered.”

The applicants however said that the use of replacement aluminium windows as proposed would provide ‘a consistency of aesthetic throughout the development’.

Councillors were told by planning officers that the harm to building in terms of the aesthetics was outweighed by the public benefits of finding a use for the building, and providing much needed homes.

Committee member Councillor Dennis Meredith said : "I'm very happy with what I've heard, and bringing a disused building back into use is always a good thing."

His colleague Councillor Jane Birch added: "I think we have to be pragmatic. Do we fight against replacement windows or bring a huge site back to life?"

The application was granted planning permission unanimously, subject to agreements on the window replacements with the borough council.

Police are appealing for information following a suspicious incident at a property in Eastbourne Avenue, Corby.

The incident, which included criminal damage and graffiti on the door, occurred some time between 5am and 9am on Monday (February 18).

Anyone with information or who may have seen someone hanging around Eastbourne Avenue should contact Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Information can also be shared anonymously with independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.