Plans to use a Northampton recreation ground for parking for this month’s Alive at Delapre festival have been abandoned by the borough council.
A furious reaction followed the news, first revealed by the Chron, that Far Cotton Rec would be used by up to 500 cars a night over the three-day music festival from July 19-21 with residents threatening “civil disobedience” if it went ahead.
But following two meetings in the past week involving ward councillors, Far Cotton Residents’ Association, the NN4Eight group and the borough council’s cabinet member for community engagement, Brandon Eldred, the Guildhall has this morning pulled the plug on the scheme.
Visitors will now be encouraged to use the St John’s car park - a 10-15 minute walk away where they can park for £1 in the evenings.
Announcing the premium parking scheme had been withdrawn today, council leader David Mackintosh said borough staff would be contacting drivers who had booked to park on the Rec and making alternative arrangements for them.
He added: “Alive at Delapre will be a great event that puts Northampton on the map. And we are eager to make sure there is as little disruption as possible to everyone, as we bring thousands of music lovers to our town. We have listened to local residents who have raised concerns about using Far Cotton Rec for parking, and have decided to withdraw that offer. Motorists will be directed to our town centre car parks, and we will write to everyone who has purchased a Premium Parking Pass to make alternative arrangements.”
Residents had voiced anger that they had not been consulted at all on either the parking plan or a proposed Albert Evans funfair that was due to descend on the same park at the end of July, the first time a major funfair had been on the Rec in three decades.
Daniel Jwanczuk, of NN4Eight said: “We’re absolutely delighted this parking scheme has been abandoned. It was ill-thought out and there was no consultation at all between the councillor for community engagement and the residents living here. Everybody here supports the festival, but this was not the solution to the parking.”
Councillor Brendan Glynane (Lib Dem Delapre) said he welcomed the decision too: “I’m happy they have don this, but I do have concerns about the displacement of parking now and what effect that will have on businesses in the area.”
Residents were angered by the lack of consultation and concerned too that revellers would be arriving back at their cars - some of them worse for wear from drinking - up until midnight in what remains a built-up area with houses on three sides.
In his solitary public statement so far - issued a week ago - Councillor Eldred apologised for causing “confusion and concern” and pledged to learn lessons for next year.
However, the Chron understands that at Tuesday’s meeting of Far Cotton Residents’ Association, the councillor showed no signs of backing down on the parking plan, only for the scheme to spectacularly collapse less than 72 hours later.
Two weeks ago, the Chron also revealed how an Albert Evans funfair had been given the go-ahead by Councillor Eldred for Eastfield Park - the first ever held there - despite no ward councillors, residents’ associations or even the Friends of Eastfield Park knowing about it.