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Beech Cottage

Kettering Council was granted planning permission at the Planning Committee Meeting on 26th May 2009 for the canopy to be erected in the remodelled Market Place.
The Council has liaised with the towns Civic Society over the design of the canopy and the approved design took account of many of the Society’s views. The Planning Committee listened carefully to a presentation on the design by Paul Thomas, the Council’s Suite 16 Manager and advice from Tom Shields, the Council’s Development Control Manager. As a part of the “Right to Speak Policy”, the Civic Society suggested that whilst all the materials proposed for the canopy were ideal, the shape could be developed just a little more. Committee however was content with the application scheme which they approved. We now look forward to seeing the real thing! And the completed Market Place.

The Society believes that the design and shape of the canopy should reflect its setting both in plan and elevation if it is to be a credit to the town centre developments.

A design idea continues the “mill pool” ripple effect originating from the corner of The Royal Hotel and flowing across the new paving and including the steps enclosing the Market Place level area. The fully glazed top would then take the form of an umbrella made up of various shapes of glass including fans and diamonds which lead the eye to the church with its diamond pained windows and spire.

A sketch of the suggested design development by Kettering Civic Society

KETTERING NORTH INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

At its last monthly meeting, the Civic Society discussed at some length three planning applications and I write specifically about the Northern Industrial Development (Prologis/Corus/Boughton Estates/Hipwell Farmers).

The Civic Society support further employment in Kettering recognising its potential benefit for the town’s future. The benefits need to be balanced against the impact the specific proposals may have.

Our initial concern is that job variety and hence choice is paramount to the buildings future success. If the buildings are simply for warehousing, the proportion of jobs to created floor space will be low and the skills requirement will also be low. It is further concerning that many jobs may be part time.

Rockingham Road is a key gateway to Kettering coming from the intrinsically charming towns of Rockingham, Uppingham and Oakham. If the proposed buildings are in any way reminiscent of the end of Telford Way as it is viewed from the A14/A43 link road, then the perception of Kettering to visitors will be very poor. We are also mindful that the Prologis warehouses are not necessarily commercially desirable seeing one at the A14 end of the A6 being vacant and to let now for a considerable length of time. Warehouse sheds are not visually delightful.

The open countryside, which this whole development will enter into, has been landscaped to compensate for the extraction of iron ore and now well established, could easily be damaged.

The IKEA warehouse at Thrapston is a blot on the landscape and we are anxious that this does not happen in Kettering.

We strongly urge that new buildings are set into established landscaping, that they are set below the skyline and include a range of scales and materials so that the setting is protected.

Viewed from Brambleside and Furnace Lane area, the backdrop equally should not just be 20 metres high corrugated steel sheeting.

In summary we ask that the Committee consider job variety, building variety, impact on the open countryside and landscape before building.

The Tesco Appeal 

The following statement was published in The Evening Telegraph, voicing the opinion of the Society concerning Tesco's plan to increase the size of the "out-of town" store on Carina Road. Such a development threatens the livelihood of commercial activity within the town centre. "Kettering Civic Society welcomes the decision of the Planning Inspectorate to refuse Tesco's application to extend their present store and recognise the relief of the town centre traders. "Our concerns are that the town centre needs revitalising before further expansion happens out of the town boundary. Many of our members shop at Tesco and we welcome their presence in the town and with their undeniable capability in operating successful stores would have welcomed seeing them investing in the town centre, before the town boundary. "We all know how lively the town centre becomes late on several evenings a week and how nice if it could become this lively through the day. A regular comment often heard is that there is no life in the town. Planners are now putting together a new Local Plan for Kettering and we urge your readers to take an interest in contributing to this plan and specifically the town centre." A report on the Public hearing that took place on Wednesday 21 st October 2001 at Kettering Council Chamber, chaired by Govt Inspector Peter Watson, (and attended by representatives for Tesco, Morrisons, and Kettering Civic Society) appeared in the January 2002 KCS newsletter. It can be viewed on this website, under planning applications:

The Committee has entered into dialogue and much discussion has taken place with various bodies concerning the Rectory Development in Kettering and the proposed Prologis site for industrial units next to the A14 near Rothwell. The following articles are the society's response to such developments:

Industrial Development on the A14 near Rothwell 

The Kettering Civic Society has been approached to express concerns and views over the Prologis Park. They are aware that a committee of the Kettering Borough Council reviewed several possible sites around and in Rothwell and after serious consideration, supported this site which lies to the south of the A14. They are further aware that the Rothwell Town Council consulted throughout the Town and lent support to the sites development. Both Borough and Town Council appreciate that it will if put into effect be a major change to the Approved Structure Plan and run counter to the Public Enquiry. Such a proposed change would call for wider advertised public consultation accordingly. 

There appear to be two major issues. Firstly the site lies in Open Countryside and secondly, should an employment/job creation opportunity be supported? The subject of development in Open Countryside is serious in Planning terms and in the normal course of events, because of this, Kettering Council would either have to overturn its own policy or reject the proposal. Already an inspector has given a ruling which is not clear but does mitigate against development on the site which is "part owned" by the Council. At present, the land, which extends to some 50 acres, is bordered by the Slade Brook and the A14, supports some trees, shrubs and basic agriculture. The land is sour and part has been used by "unknown Travellers" to rear horses of which some have died on the land. (The Evening Telegraph has featured an article on this). Rothwell has been presented with an environmental difficulty from the A14. Traffic noise persists through the whole day to a greater or lesser extent. It may be argued that the road is too close to the town to add a commercial site and parking would be a problem. It would also preclude the widening of the A 14 if required. 

The deposited site plan incorporates a planted pathway to capitalise upon and reinforce the presence of Slade Brook. This is enthusiastically supported and local comments that the whole area from roundabout to roundabout could be a "Pocket Park" would in the Society's view be a wonderful idea. Rothwell people have already begun planting on their side of the A14 and the whole scheme with an inter-linking pathway could be a valuable environmental contribution to Rothwell. 

The building proposals although very carefully thought through, would intrude into the countryside and be visible to nearby Orton, mourners at the cemetery and particularly Rothwell. The illustration shown on local Television News on Saturday l7th February this year with balloons flying at the height of the building tops and their dominating effect was disturbing. A14 users would simply see countryside invaded and perhaps use that as a precedent for something similar elsewhere. 

Such wildlife, as now exists would almost certainly disappear, whether that be birds, flowers or animals. It is also probable that sound from the passing vehicles will reflect off the new buildings and the reverberations will further pollute Rothwell. 

In a statement prepared for Orton Village Meeting, the Nature Conservancy Council identified a range of birds and animals that exist on the site and can be supported there. There is also a natural link with the adjacent fishery. The case for defending the countryside is indeed very great. 

Employment as a local topic is also important. Clearly, if the site is seen as an employer for people from a 25-mile radius, this is simply not acceptable. But if it sets out to provide opportunities for Rothwell, Loddington and Desborough, that would be valuable. The Civic Society is aware of the few companies now trading in Rothwell and note that it is ironic that MacDonald's should be the biggest single private employer.

The Review of the local Plan, which is now taking place, includes a massive house-building programme at Rothwell and Desborough and some of these people will need employment. Any opportunity to help would be welcome. It is apparent that new finance will be important to future development and if it is seen that the site is attracting outside investment for local employment that is welcome. 

The serious question then is one of "site". It may be argued that the proposed site is on "the wrong side of the Al4" for Desborough and Rothwell to share in its benefits. It is however realised that Rothwell/ Desborough bypass will become available shortly. This will have good access to the A14 and could serve a commercial site. The Civic Society suggests that a site in the vicinity of Montsaye School may be a far better option for local people. (This idea is in line with the planning Inspectors view.) 

Landscaping could integrate the site into Rothwell's north-west top corner. This location would protect/preserve both existing and new housing and may also link with the new road Springfir Estates are proposing. 

Mention has not been made of the Hotel and at this time, it is considered that could be sensitively built on the site near the cemetery. 

In summary, the Civic Society consider that Prologis should be encouraged to invest in Rothwell but that this site should remain Open Countryside, possibly a pocket park, that industry be located beyond Montsaye School and that a hotel could be built on the site subject to change in planning policy.

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Kettering Rectory Redevelopment 

As "green issues" more and more colour the way we live, our travel, communication and lifestyles are gradually changing. In line with this, people who might have looked for a new home in a village because equivalent town settings rarely become available are now looking more carefully for this option. They would like to stay in town but in a country setting that has security with rural tranquillity. When Kettering Rectory was offered for sale the site presented this rare opportunity. The Civic Society took a careful interest in the Rectory site for these social reasons and awaited with interest developers proposals for the redevelopment. 

They supported quality development, preservation of the rectory, even if that meant dividing it into flats and tastefully preserving many of the trees and the old boundary wall. Sympathetic materials like stone and slate could further compliment the setting. The style of the Rectory suggests certain design principles. 

The proposals that Kettering Planners have decided upon, include much of what the Society could support, but the number of dwellings far exceeds what could be considered a comfortable density. The Police and County Council rightly made that point in consultation. Scholar's Mews in Northampton is a fair comparison. 

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