Town Centre development plans show "an urgent need for joined-up thinking" - Lib Dems

10.06.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Jun 2008

Liberal Democrats are concerned about the effect of Conservative policies on Kettering town centre

Proposals to redevelop Kettering town centre show "an urgent need for joined-up thinking", Liberal Democrats have warned.

The plans, which were summarised in a report to a meeting of Kettering Borough Council's Executive Committee on Wednesday evening but which will not be published in full before the end of June, suggest redeveloping the town centre by dividing the centre into four distinct 'quarters'.

Campaigners warn, however, that the plans of the Conservative-run authority for further increases in car parking charges and relocating Kettering's council offices could damage town centre trade before any plans are put into effect.

"While it is difficult to assess these plans without knowing the full details", Lib Dem spokesperson Chris Nelson said, "we welcome the news that the Conservatives are seriously engaging in long-term planning in how to revitalise our struggling town centre."

"It is nonetheless very disappointing that to see that the Tories are continuing with plans to further increase our car parking charges and have failed to shelve plans to move valuable jobs away from the town centre by selling off the Council Offices."

"If we are to help our town centre through tough times, then there is an urgent need for joined-up thinking. It is time for the Tories to put aside their pride and seriously reconsider short-term policies that risk long-term harm."

ENDS

Notes:

1. A summary of proposals to redevelop Kettering Town Centre can be seen here, as a report to Kettering Council's Executive: http://www.kettering.gov.uk/downloads/10_Kettering_Future.doc. These proposals repeat plans to sell off existing Council Offices on Bowling Green Road (para. 4.1).

2. Council officers have told the Liberal Democrats that the full details of the redevelopment proposals will be published as a report to a Planning Policy Committee meeting on 2nd July 2008.