Cabinet to discuss plans for Active Quarter in Northampton

12 January 2023

West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Cabinet is set to discuss plans to support the creation of a new Active Quarter in the heart of Northampton at their meeting next week.

The report, which will be considered by members at their meeting on Tuesday (17 January) details how a new Active Quarter in the town would use and transform existing green and urban spaces and nearby waterways to improve people’s health and wellbeing, at the same time uniting communities, aiding regeneration and improving safety.

The vision is to create an Active Quarter in the southwest area of the town to encompass Midsummer Meadow, Beckets Park, Delapré Abbey, Delapré Park Golf Centre, Brackmills and the neighbouring Pocket Parks.

The Active Quarter is supported by a collaborative group of stakeholders including the University of Northampton (UON), WNC, Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, Northamptonshire Sport, Brackmills Business Improvement District (BID), West Northants Public Health and British Cycling.

The group are working towards a collective ambition to create a recognised Active Quarter brand in the future.

Progress has been achieved already with the delivery of projects such as the recently-opened award-winning Northampton Mountain Bike Park, wheelchair accessible angling platforms around the Nene Valley water-skiing lake, and a partnership between UON and Public Health to develop Waterside as an ‘Active Campus’ for staff and students.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with local organisations to develop this new initiative in the heart of Northampton.

"The proposed Active Quarter covers an area of over 900 hectares – including extensive areas of green space and water, miles of footpaths, cycle routes, and sport and leisure facilities.

"It is well evidenced that accessible, high quality, safe, open space supports people in living healthier lives. This project will play an important role in protecting and enhancing a valuable recreational space and shaping the future health and wellbeing of communities in Northampton and the surrounding areas."Cllr Adam Brown, Deputy Leader of WNC and Cabinet Member for housing, culture and leisure.

The Cabinet meeting starts at 6pm on Tuesday, 17 January and can be viewed online at the Council’s Youtube Channel @westnorthants. View the full Cabinet report paper on the WNC website.