The Wellingborough Chamber of Commerce has welcomed a decision by the borough’s council to refuse plans to build 133 homes on a town centre car park. The Borough Council of Wellingborough, at its planning committee last week, turned down the application submitted by Keepmoat Homes for the High Street development scheme for 133 houses, 408sqm of retail space and a three-level, 200-space public carpark.
Chamber President Alan Piggot said: “We welcome this decision by councillors,who have over turned the officer’s recommendation, as originally we objected to the application on the grounds that it would not benefit the town centre. The Chamber believes that the site should have a greater variety of uses which can generate more jobs and support the overall vitality of the town centre. There is also a huge question over the amount of car parking that will be lost in this location which will impact on the ability of local residents in accessing the town centre.”
There is now a fresh opportunity for the council to re-evaluate the proposals for this strategic site and how its development might better support the town centre.