JUNE 2006
28/06/2006 - New £31 million Train Depot Opens in Northamptonshire
A state-of-the-art train depot has been opened in Northampton at a ceremony attended by Rail Minister Derek Twigg, along with hundreds of rail enthusiasts. The unit, based in Kings Heath, will maintain the 30-strong fleet of Siemens 350 Desiro train that were introduced to the West Coast Main Line last year, and has seen the creation of 100 jobs for engineers, technicians and cleaners. The site will be used to maintain and clean the trains allowing them to be put back into service as quickly as possible. Mr Twigg, Labour MP for Halton in Merseyside, spoke to Northampton Today about the launch: "This is great news for apssengers in Northampton, and I welcome this investment in the region's railway. The new technology should allow trains to be maintained to a high standard and raise the quality of rail journeys for passengers." The new depot is the fourth to be built in the UK by Siemens Transportation in an effort to improve and invest in the country's rail network. Northampton North Labour MP Sally Keeble - who is also chair of thw town's Rail User's Group, said: "It is important job-wise in this particular area. There were quite a lot of environmental issues but the companies have made substantial efforts to deal with them, so I'm glad. It's a sign that the rail industry has recognised how important Northampton is."
20/06/2006 - Work Begins on £35 million Shopping Centre
Building work has begun in Corby town centre on a plan to provide the town with a £35m shopping centre. The announcement follows news that big-name retailers New Look, TK Maxx and WH Smith are looking to relocate to the new scheme, with further announcements expected soon. The long-awaited development of the Willow Place shopping precinct is being undertaken by developers Land Securities, and will result in two large stores near George Street in the town centre and several smaller units nearby. Land Securities Development Manager Mark Rymell spoke to the North Northants Development Company about the plans: "I am delighted that we have secured such major brands... before we even start work on the site. We will be working closely with the main contractor, HBG Construction, to ensure minimal disruption for residents, businesses and visitors to the town centre. Willow Place will open in October 2007". The scheme, which received planning permission from Corby Borough Council in 2005, will comprise 175,000sq ft of retail floor space. Bob Lane, Chief Executive of NNDC, said: "This is great news and reflects the increasing momentum of Corby's regeneration. The physical transformation of this part of the town centre, proposed by Catalyst Corby's Regeneration Framework, will soon be visible to all and provide further impetus to the Corby Central redevelopment programme. "Willow Place will help re-establish Corby as a prime shopping location and substantially reduce the current expenditure leakage to neighbouring retail destinations."
20/06/2006 - Construction Begins on Hi Tech Office
Construction teams have moved into Sheep Street, Wellingborough, to create what is destined to become the area's finest headquarters style offices with the capacity to provide up to some 200 new jobs in the town centre. The towering land mark building at 12 Sheep Street is being tranformed into a shining example of modern high tech Grade A office workspace in a £2.6 million building programme which will see the prominent building ready for occupation in the latter part of this year. Business leaders and retailers in Wellingborough town centre have welcomed the foresight of developers Ciel Properties and the backing given to the scheme by Wellingborough Town Council and Invest Northamptonshire. At the start of work on the site, Ciel Properties director Steve Jones said 'The recent announcement of plans to build up to 3,200 homes to the east of Wellingborough marks the beginning of of a new momentum in the growth and prosperity of the town. Our objective in redesigning and remodelling this existing 1970's outdated, 7 storey office building is to generate local employment opportunities for local people and in doing so help sustain a vibrant commercial and retail centre in the heart of the town.' Ciel Properties in conjunction with the Council's Planning and Highways Departments have drawn up a detailed plan to minimise disruption to Sheep Street during the 26 week building programme. 'The programme of work to upgrade the exterior and the stripping out of redundant fixtures and fittings in a busy, restricted town centre environment creates several unique challenges and the need for a good neighbour strategy to focus on the day to day needs of adjacent businesses and shoppers. In our duty to address any concerns our building contractors Shaylor Construction have signed up to 'Considerate Contractors' a code of practice recognised throughout the construction industry', added Steve Jones. A striking new feature of the well known towering structure adjoining Swansgate Shopping Centre will be the use of 'brise soleil' to the front elevation of the tower. Ths visually striking architectural innovation uses horizontal louvered screens to create an up to the minute exterior whilst allowing maximum natural and reflected light into the offices. The system reduces solar heat gain which will also be controlled throughout the 21,000 sq ft offices by a central plant air conditioning system to maintain comfortable all year round working ocnditions in the large open plan office suites. At ground level fronting on to Sheep Street visitors will enter the building through a new double storey height glass reception and visitor welcoming area which replaces the original retail shop occupied until recently by The Telegraph newspaper. Vehicle parking for people working at 12 Sheep Street will be provided in a specially allocated part of the Swansgate Shopping Centre multi storey car park. Several weeks before work started on site Ciel Properties had pushed the button on a strategic marketing plan to attract an occupier to 12 Sheep Street. Wellingborough based commercial property agent Underwoods - with offices conveniently located in Sheep Street - will work with the Birmingham office of national property specialist CRBE to target companies with a requirement which matches the high specification of 12 Sheep Street. The letting agents confirm that when complete 12 Sheep Street will be the only major office building in Wellingborough town centre which complies with DDA Legislation.
09/06/2006 - Campaign for New Rail Link Underway
Corby Borough Council and the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph have begun a campaign to gather support for a proposed direct rail link between Corby, in the north of the county, and London. Plans for the town to have a direct link with London - essential for its continued growth - have been included by the Government in a new consultation document for the East Midlands railway franchise. Bidders for the franchise will have to include development of a new railway station in the town, which will operate an hourly service direct to London St Pancras. Corby MP Phil Hope spoke to Corby Borough Council about the £15million plans: "It is the right time for all residents and local businesses to get behind the campaign. This is a very exciting time for Corby. We have fought long and hard to be included in the railway franchise which will be the gateway to providing a direct railway service from Corby to London". The new East Midlands rail franchise will combine existing lines operated by Central Trains and Midland Mainline. Bob Lane, Chief Executive of North Northants Development Company, said: "Although it's great news, we are not home and dry yet. We have got to make sure the people of Corby, businesses and other stakeholders put in a very strong repsonse. It is giving us an opportunity which we must seize".
09/06/2006 - Plans for New Affordable Housing Unveiled
Leicester Housing Association have unveiled plans to build 161 new homes in the county at a cost of nearly £18 million. The proposals centre around four sites in Wellingborough, and it is hoped that the new houses will boost the number of properties available to rent or buy in the town. The news comes after spiralling house prices within the region have made it difficult for young professionals and workers to find affordable housing in the county. According to Northants News, one of the sites earmarked for the project will be in Great Park Street, on the eastern side of Wellingborough's growth area, whilst further sites are being considered. Funding for the scheme has been secured from the Wellingborough Housing Corporation. Robert Nettleton, Group Regeneration Director, spoke to Northants News about the funding: "I am delighted that the association has a housing corporation commitment of £3.7million for Wellingborough in the 2006/08 allocation. We can now continue with our plans to provide much needed modern, comfortable and affordable homes in Wellingborough in partnership with the borough council and it demonstrates the confidence the corporation has in our ability to deliver key projects."
09/06/2006 - College Accredited the Matrix Standard
Moulton College have been awarded the Matrix quality standard for information advice and guidance services by the Matrix Accreditation Body.The Matrix Standard is the national quality standard for any organisation that delivers information and advice about learning and work opportunities. The award was created to ensure that high quality advice is available whether it is provided by employers who are committed to developing their employees, or by learning providers and brokers. It replaces the original National Quality Standards for Learning and Work. The college was accredited to the Matrix Standard mid-May, followed by the arrival of the certificate this week to officially confirm the accreditation. Jac Wales, Director of Quality Assurance is delighted with the certification: "This award is another clear endorsement of the high quaity of provision here at Moulton College. It recognises that the advice, guidance and support offered to students, potential students and employers will enable them to make a well-informed choice about current and future study and career options. We are very proud to have achieved this award." The recent accreditation is a vital tool in the process of building continuous quality and is a credit to each member of staff who constantly strives for excellence within the college. For more information about courses on offer, please contact student services on 01604 491131.
02/06/2006 - Market Given New Life in Northampton
An arts group in the county has taken on the challenge of breathing new life into Northampton indoor market in a deal with Northampton Borough Council. Northampton Arts Collective (NAC) has been offered a lease on the unused building for housing and displaying projects and exhibitions, starting from August 1st. Units will be offered by the NAC to local artists as studio space, as well as craft and sales units, with the hope of attracting national shows and exhibitions to the county. The future of the building, situated in Sheep Street in Northampton town centre, had been in doubt since 2005, when the Borough Council outlined plans for its demolition. The new centre will be eligible for funding and grants from agencies such as Arts Council England and East Midlands Development Agency, although the project itself is still only a short-term project, with demolition still on the long-term agenda. Photographer Jayne West - a committee member of NAC - spoke to Northampton Borough Council regarding the proposals: "We very much hope our operation of a pilot independent arts facility in the Market Hall will complement the new developments in the market square. We are all looking forward to working with the traders and NBC over the next year". The plans for the Market building follow on from a successful week in February 2006 when the NAC converted the building into an arts café. Tim Hadland, leader of Northampton Borough Council, added: "The market hall offers a good-sized space in the centre of town and I've no doubt the NAC will have some wonderfully creative ideas about how best to use that venue to showcase Northampton arts and attract people into town". The plans were announced in conjunction with Cabinet discussions on renovating and re-vamping the historic Market Square in the centre of Northampton.