I recently wrote to a considerable number of households locally in the communities that are set to be most impacted by the proposed Kettering Energy Park development, to hear their views on the ‘Masterplan’ consultation, which closed on Wednesday (you can see more details about it, here: https://tinyurl.com/4dtm9p9t). I am very grateful to all those who took the time to respond, and share their very valid views and concerns in real detail. Indeed, I am acutely aware of the importance of this issue, and the significant potential impact on our various North Northamptonshire rural communities in the vicinity of Burton Wold, should the development go ahead as presently proposed.
In summary, from the feedback I have received, residents are generally supportive of the concept of delivering additional renewable energy generation opportunities at Kettering Energy Park, in consultation with local people, to help meet local need, and also wish to see new jobs and further economic growth in our area too - and quite understandably so. However, I am under no illusions as to the strength of opposition to the vast scale of the proposed employment parts of the development, including the troubling, massive B8 warehouse plans, and should they go ahead, their huge unquestionable detriment to our precious natural environment, local biodiversity and the beautiful rural landscape, which should be preserved for generations to come. In short, the message is very clear that large-scale warehousing should not be built in the middle of open countryside - with the actual demand and need for such type of development highly questionable at this time, especially given its inevitable irreparable environmental impact.
I therefore wanted to take this opportunity to share a copy of the formal submission that I have made to the developer’s 'Masterplan' consultation, reflecting local feedback, which you can see using the link below, and which I have also shared with the Chief Executive of North Northamptonshire Council as the local planning authority, for their awareness. You can also find my BBC Radio Northampton interview on this issue earlier this week (listen to the 8.10am section) here: https://tinyurl.com/47d5rywe.
Simply put, the current plans are just not acceptable to local people and you can rest assured that I will continue to press for common sense to prevail here, including if any formal planning application should come forward, alongside relevant parish and town council representatives and the various dedicated community campaigners who are also working tirelessly on this, to whom I am very grateful for their efforts. Ultimately, the developer needs to go back to the drawing board and think again.
I will of course share any further updates as I have them, including on here and on my social media channels.