Northampton’s opposition to plans for a £50m shopping and leisure park in the north of the county has been labelled discriminatory by an official from the town where it will be built.
The proposed development in Rushden includes 20 shops, a garden centre, leisure facilities and would bring 2,000 jobs to the area.
It has been opposed by Corby and Kettering but not by Wellingborough Council while Rushden and Higham Ferrers town councils support it.
Adrian House, a Rushden town councillor, a town centre trader and chairman of Rushden Chamber of Trade, said: “It’s a great compliment to Rushden that they are so worried about their future prosperity they have to be so concerned about what we are doing.
“They are obviously not as worried about Daventry’s new £50m town centre. I think it’s very sad that they can’t concentrate on their own patch.
“We have lost as many jobs in the footwear industry in Rushden as the steel industry, but the steel industry has been supported by successive governments which is why there are twice as many jobs in Corby as there are in our town.
“We are keen to get the job opportunities that this development would bring.
“I can’t understand why they can’t concentrate on trying to improve their own shopping experience.
“I am surprised that Northampton is worrying.
“It’s just very sad that these Northampton councillors are so worried about the impact from us. Why are they not worried about Daventry? Why are we being discriminated against?”
Councillor Sarah Peacock, leader of Rushden Town Council, said: “Rushden Lakes has been well supported by local people and it’s much needed to support our local area. We have been identified as a growth town but if this doesn’t go ahead then we won’t be a growth town. East Northamptonshire has always missed out and it’s our time to have something.
“We need this desperately – we need to support the growth of our town.”
East Northamptonshire Council granted planning permission for Rushden Lakes in October but due to the size of the development the decision had to be reviewed by the Secretary of State, who has called it in for further inspection.
Councillor Steven North, leader of East Northamptonshire Council, said: “The Secretary of State has decided that further inspection is needed. We’re aware that this will result in a public inquiry presided over by a planning inspector.
“We’re now waiting to hear how long the inspector needs to make a decision.”
Peter Bone, MP for Rushden and Wellingborough, said: “The advantage of the public inquiry, presuming it finds in favour, would be that it cannot be challenged in the court.
“If it had been approved without a public inquiry they [the opposing parties] would have objected in the court. I am really disappointed by the behaviour of Northampton and Kettering but they are doing what they think is best for their constituencies – I think they are wrong, but that is for the public inquiry to decide.”
The leader of Northampton Council, Councillor David Mackintosh, welcomed the announcement that the Secretary of State will call-in the decision to approve planning permission for the proposed Rushden Lakes development.
Councillor Mackintosh said: “I am pleased that he acknowledges the significance of Northampton’s economic regeneration to the wider region and the impact that this proposed development could have on us and the other towns in the area.
“Northampton is making real progress in attracting millions of pounds of investment and creating jobs through our Northampton Alive programme and we have clearly had some success at raising this on a national level.
“I have to thank our MPs Brian Binley and Michael Ellis for tirelessly raising our success in Parliament and ensuring that the strong work we are doing here has been recognised.
“It will be up to the Secretary of State to decide if this proposal goes ahead but I am confident that he has heard what is going on here in Northampton and how the enormous strides we have made could be set back by the Rushden Lakes development.”
Brian Binley, MP for Northampton South, said: “I am delighted that Eric Pickles has listened to those of us who have been urging him to call in that particular planning application, which could be very harmful to Northampton and many of the towns in Northamptonshire.”
Michael Ellis, MP for Northampton North, said: “I think this is a very sensible decision as the proposed development would have a hugely negative effect on what we are trying to achieve in Northampton.
“The Rushden Lakes development would cause the town a great deal of trouble and the case against it is a very strong one. I think this decision reflects that, and I welcome it.”
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