Kettering neighbourhood plan off to flying start

More than 50 residents filled St Andrews Church on Wednesday 26 February to kick off work on a Neighbourhood Plan for Kettering

Questions on the future of the town centre, on the design and type of housing, on how best to use empty sites, and about green spaces, were amongst the many issues discussed on the night.

A neighbourhood plan allows local people, rather than the planning authority, to agree planning policies for their area, which can then legally guide development in the future. Kettering Town Council intends to work with the community to agree what policies should be included in the plan and what they should say.

Cllr Scott Edwards, chairman of the Town Council's Neighbourhood Planning committee, which is leading the work on this new plan said: "Everyone in Kettering has a stake in the town centre and there are many residential areas close to the town centre which are under pressure from the demand for flats and houses in multiple occupation. This plan is about having a clear vision for our town centre, which reflects what local people want. Similarly, the residential areas closest to the town centre deserve our attention, some improvement, some protection and to meet today's challenges."

The plan will take many months to develop, and will involve continual engagement with local people and businesses. There will be lots of opportunities for people to have their say, right up to a public vote on the plans in 2026.

Everyone is being urged to give their views now about what they like about the centre of Kettering and what they want to see improved.

On line surveys are available on the Council's website https://www.ketteringtowncouncil.gov.uk/central-kettering

and at Kettering library for people to pick up – and leave - in paper form.

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/3d654ef785f143429b8cb7bad2714792

For more information contact Martin Hammond clerk@ketteringtowncouncil.gov.uk