Agenda item

Mr Jwanczuk addressed Cabinet on Item 8- Land at Eagle Drive Delapre. He stated that he was the Vice Chair of the Far Cotton Residents Association, although he was speaking not in that capacity but as an individual. He considered that it was a very worthy aim of the Butcher family to provide football facilities within the community and had been involved in the associated fund raising. He commented that anything that could provide additional facilities must be a good thing but did not agree that two commercial sports clubs should be given leases at a peppercorn rent. No contracts should be entered into without further information being made available to the public.

Mr Tony Allwork addressed Cabinet on Item 8- Land at Eagle Drive Delapre

He represented Allwork Equestrian Centre, which is part of the site. He stated that four generations of his family had farmed the site as a dairy, arable farm and his parents had started the equestrian centre. He felt that if the proposed development went ahead then the centre would no longer be viable, as it would not have the space to run the livery side of the business. The site is rich in flora and fauna and is enjoyed by many people. There is also an historical aspect to the site as the battle of Northampton site. He considered that the proposal would have detrimental consequences to his family and for the town.

Ms Toni Jones addressed Cabinet on Item 8- Land at Eagle Drive Delapre. She stated that she worked as a riding instructor at the Equestrian Centre. The Centre caters for a wide range of people, provides riding for the disabled and participates in a promotional voucher scheme allowing people to experience riding for free. She expressed concern that the proposal would not leave adequate land to run the livery side of the business, which would threaten its commercial viability. She felt that in the year of the Olympics, 2012, more encouragement should be given to sports and that well funded sporting clubs should not be allowed to push out other sporting activities.

Ms Catherine Kirby addressed Cabinet on Item 8- Land at Eagle Drive Delapre. She is also employed at the Equestrian Centre. She stated her concern for the continuing viability of the centre should the development go ahead. There was a thriving pony club, riding for disabled and the stables also supports training programmes for staff. She did not consider that the training pitches would be well used. She felt that there would be more traffic on the A45 and that there would not be any benefit for Delapre Abbey.

Mrs Butcher addressed Cabinet on Item 8- Land at Eagle Drive Delapre. She

Stated that she represented all of the people who had worked to make a memorial for Richard Butcher after he had died.2, 000 people had supported them and they had raised £20,000. After public consultation it was decided that a football pitch and clubhouse would be fitting tribute and provide much needed local facilities. She stated that that she had contacted local Councillors for help in finding a suitable venue and that this was the only suitable site. She said that she just wanted to be able to achieve something positive for the local area.

David Sinclair addressed Cabinet on Item 8- Land at Eagle Drive Delapre. Mr Sinclair was the manager of the Delapre Football Club. He commented that they just wanted to provide additional local facilities and develop a local club and provide an additional asset for the community. He stated that there was no intention of upsetting any local people, or disturbing an historical site.

Mr Ian Dexter addressed Cabinet on Item 8- Land at Eagle Drive Delapre. He was speaking as a member of the Battlefields Trust. He stated that he believed that the area was a site of national historical importance that should be preserved. The proposed site includes the battle of Northampton site. He considered that the site should be considered for development as a National Wars of the Roses museum, visitor centre. He considered that this should be done through applying for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to locate the exact site and then to prevent any further development until full surveys have been completed. He considered that heritage funding could be sought to develop a heritage centre.

Mr Mike Ingram. addressed Cabinet on Item 8- Land at Eagle Drive Delapre. He was speaking as a member of the Battlefields Trust. He considered that any development would have a detrimental effect on the character of the battlefield and emphasised the importance of getting full archaeological surveys to establish the exact battle site.

Mr Paul Varnsverry addressed Cabinet on Item 8- Land at Eagle Drive Delapre. He stated that the previous administration had overseen a consultation process, which had led to the Delapre Abbey Parklands options appraisal. He considered that the Council should have consulted more widely on proposals.

The Chair referred to a leaflet that had been distributed in the area circulated by Mr Varnsverry, which implied that the proposals being considered were at a more advanced state and that planning permission was being sought. He emphasised that the item for consideration was only the beginning of a process, which had many more stages to cover, and that appropriate consultations would be made along the way.