The Council have published plans to extend the existing Kingsley Conservation Area to include the whole of the Racecourse. The plans are available on the council’s website www.northampton.gov.uk/consultation and the consultation period ends on the 30th January 2009.

The plans include an appraisal of the area with a fascinating history of the Racecourse and the area around it. Just three snippets:-

‘Kingsley’ derives from Kingeshala ‘Kings Nook’ an outlying corner of Kingsthorpe Manor.

Racing started at Harlestone Firs but was transferred to Freeman’s Common (now the Racecourse) assigned to the freemen under the 1778 Act of Enclosure.

The Kingsley Park Hotel was a residential hotel for Racegoers, but after racing stopped in 1904 it laid empty for 18 years, hence it was nicknamed the ‘White Elephant’.

A new planning application has been submitted for three houses at the end of Sunningdale Close, backing onto properties at the end of Masefield Way. The application number is N/2008/1203 and the plans can be viewed on the council’s website www.northampton.gov.uk.
Let me know if you have any views.

Following discussions between Trinity Avenue residents and the University the plans have been ammended. Wednesday’s planning committee broadly supported the new plans, but a further period of consultation is needed before the new plans can be determined.

The University have applied for planning permission for a large temporary potacabin on land at the back of the former Kingsley Park Middle School building. Residents in Trinity Avenue have expressed their concern that the building will be unsightly and damaging to trees and wildlife. The university will use the portacabin while they are expanding their Innovation Centre, but before the old school building (which is listed) has been converted for use. Other sites have been considered for the portacabin but rejected.

Plans can be viewed on the Borough Council’s website www.northampton.gov.uk . The reference number for the application is N/2008/0757. Let me know your views.

The council has received an application for flats in Oliver St. Details follow. Plans can be seen opn the councils website and comments can be made to planning@northampton.gov.uk

APPLICATION NO: N/2008/523 Date Valid 02/05/2008

Proposal Residential development with 14No. One and two bedroom apartments.

Location 40 - 44 Oliver Street Northampton.

Applicant Oakway Storage Solutions 40 - 44 Oliver Street Northampton NN2 7JJ.

A planning application has been submitted for 6 more flats at Poets Court, Brookfield Rd. They will be behind the existing flats, in gardens at the rear of Junction Rd with extra parking. The plans can be viewed at www.northampton.gov.uk or at the council offices at Cliftonville House or the Guildhall. The reference is N/2008/0316. The case officer for the planning application is Geoff Wyatt. Let us know your views

A planning application has been submitted for a two bedroom bungalow on Randall Rd, at the rear of 4, 6 & 8 Brookfield Rd. To view the plans go to www.northampton.gov.uk or visit the council offices at The Guildhall or Cliftonville House. The reference for the application is N/2008/367.