North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) is promoting First Renewable Developments’ public consultation on the draft Masterplan for Kettering Energy Park to ensure residents and other interested parties can fully input into its development.The North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy (also known as the ‘Local Plan’) recognises green industries as a sectoral priority to support economic growth in North Northamptonshire and for the role they have in securing resilience to climate change and long-term energy security. It also recognises the need for North Northamptonshire to become more self-reliant and resilient, with the generation of a significant proportion of its own energy requirements from...

14 April, 2023

Building a dual carriageway the length of the A43 between Kettering and Northampton is set to move a step closer – helping to relieve congestion and improve journey times.So far, the stretch of the A43 between the Round Spinney roundabout and the newly built Overstone Grange roundabout has been dualled, with work taking place in three phases between 2015 and 2020.A proposal before North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive next week outlines how the next phase – known as Phase three – would see the dual carriageway continue from Overstone Grange to the Holcot/Sywell roundabout.While the first phases are in the West...

13 April, 2023

New data has shown that more than 90% of HR professionals don’t fully understand the implications of forthcoming changes to UK employment law.The changes, being proposed by the Government surrounding the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, are daunting and confusing for many.As part of leaving the European Union, the 2018 European Union (Withdrawal) Act was introduced, which resulted in an agreement being made between the European Union and the UK to allow the UK to retain most EU legislation in its domestic legislation even after Brexit.However, on 22 September 2022, the UK Government announced a new Bill -...

12 April, 2023

The University of Northampton rugby teams are ‘marching in’ to Franklin’s Gardens next month, as they face off for their last and most competitive game of the year - rugby union versus rugby league.Last year, rugby union Bears beat rugby league Gremlins 55-31, and the Bears are hoping to sink their claws into the title for the second year running.The annual match, known as ‘Crosscodes’, is a decade old tradition at the university, where both teams play the first half by rugby league rules, and the second half by rugby union rules. In previous years, the match was just for...

12 April, 2023

The dualling of the A43 carriageway between Northampton and the A14 at Kettering has reached a major milestone as West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) cabinet reviews and agrees plans to deliver the next phase.On Tuesday, 11 April WNC’s cabinet members considered and approved the proposals for the upcoming phase three. This work will complete the section of the A43 within WNC boundaries and make improvements to the Holcot / Sywell roundabout.This forms part of a longer-term aspiration to vastly improve connectivity from Northampton to the A14 at Kettering helping to relieve congestion and improve journey times. Further improvement works following the...

12 April, 2023

Work to fix issues on several trails at Northampton Bike Park completed this week meaning they have reopened.Contractors OnTrack returned to carry out the work after prolonged winter rain forced operator Northamptonshire Sport to close trails on the western side of the site.While other trails remained open, standing water meant several of the trails were not accessible until drainage work could be carried out.Cllr Adam Brown, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure, said: “We’re obviously delighted that Northamptonshire Sport has been able to reopen the affected trails and that the whole site is now back...

12 April, 2023

North Northamptonshire Council has launched a consultation on the scope and options for a plan to address the accommodation needs of gypsy and travellers in the area.The Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan will provide policies and site allocations and run until 2041. When finalised, the Plan will form part of the Development Plan for North Northamptonshire.The current consultation is the first stage in preparing the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan and focusses on providing information on key issues for the Plan, including:the vision and outcomes for the plan options for meeting future requirements size of sites geographical distribution allocation...

11 April, 2023

The next evolution of 5G, future telecoms and a national mission to connect all communities.New plans and investment to boost digital connectivity and put the UK at the forefront of future telecoms technologies have been unveiled by Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan today (Tuesday 11 April) – unlocking growth, innovation and potential across the country.As part of the new Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, the Government has set out its ambitions to blanket the country with the fastest, most reliable wireless coverage available – with an ambition for all populated areas to be covered by ‘standalone’ 5G (what some companies call 5G-plus) by...

11 April, 2023

The recent end of the financial year saw the end of Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s biggest grant-making year since it was first established 22 years ago, outside of delivering emergency funds during the Covid-19 pandemic.Over £22.5 million in grants has been awarded to charities and community groups across Northamptonshire. Projects such as food banks, mental health support groups and wellbeing activities for the county’s most vulnerable residents have been sustained by funds awarded through the Foundation.Rachel McGrath, CEO of Northamptonshire Community Foundation, said: ‘One of our biggest years of grant making has been made possible because of the extraordinary generosity of...

06 April, 2023

A warmhearted Northampton construction consultancy has donated 150 chocolate Easter eggs to a local hospice so that its patients can make new memories to treasure.Bhangals Construction Consultants delivered a car boot full of the sweet treats to Cynthia Spencer Hospice last week. The chocolate will be used to create a fun-filled Easter egg hunt for patients and their families.The Bhangals team also ensured there were enough Easter eggs for the hospice team too, spreading some cheer and appreciation.Managing Director Parm Bhangal, said: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to be able to bring these little gifts to the hospice...

06 April, 2023

A family run recruitment firm in Northamptonshire is celebrating after recruiting 49 people for a brand new Boohoo.com warehouse facility in Sheffield.The project was run in association with SSI Schaefer Ltd, a global engineering company that counts Boohoo.com as one of its clients.Once SSI Schaefer Ltd had negotiated a contract with Boohoo.com, it contacted Wills Consultants Ltd to recruit in their entire team to staff the 336,000 sq ft, four storey warehouse.Simon Wills, director at Wills Consultants Ltd, said: “We were delighted to be brought in on this high-profile project.“Our starting point was to recruit the management team, who could...

06 April, 2023