Calls to regenerate 'eyesore' end of Corby town centre

Calls have been made to get on with the regeneration of the ‘eyesore’ north side of Corby town centre.

Ten years after the successful but costly Parkland Gateway regeneration, which saw the Corby Cube, swimming pool and cinema built, the northern side of the town remains much the same.

The police station and magistrates’ court are now empty and plans first mooted back in the 2000s for the north side of the town centre, by regeneration agency Catalyst Corby, have not come to pass.

Speaking at the One Corby meeting last night Labour Cllr Mark Pengelly said: “What I would like to put forward is around ten years ago we have a great scheme in regeneration one for Corby. That was with Catalyst Corby and that was in regenerating the town centre with the cube, the swimming pool, cinema and everything else.

“We have areas of the town like the old police station which is overgrown and an eyesore, the old TA centre, the old Coop site, the court house.

“Why don’t we look at putting some money into regeneration two, where we can liaise with members of the public and say what do you want the next part of Corby’s growth to be?

“This could be really good for the town.”

The Corby Walk – which would have connected the Parkland Gateway to the railway station – has now been abandoned as it would have been too costly. However there are plans afoot by a private developer for a ten-storey residential development on the former Coop building on Alexandra Road and after years of delay developer Mulberry Developments is now moving forward with a scheme to regenerate the former Tresham College site in George Street.At the meeting a few councillors criticised the lack of involvement they have had in regeneration plans.

Last month (July), as one of the 100 borough councils in the running for a £25m regeneration investment, the government gave the Corby authority £750,000 to be spent by next April.

On the list is the pedestrianisation of George Street and a new e-bike scheme, however the authority’s councillors were not consulted and a number last night voiced their discontent.

Last night Cllr Pengelly said: “I’m really disappointed that officers got told on July 2 they had £750,000 to spend and the majority of elected members got told five days ago when the agenda came out.

“We have got knowledge and I’m sure between us we could have put some ideas forward. You spoke to officers but not members – hopefully that does not happen again.”

Cllr Pengelly also said he wanted more detail about the proposals.

And Cllr John McGhee said: “I’d like to voice my disappointment of consultation with elected members. I know it was a very tight timescale but you had time to consult internally with the council but not externally with councillors. I thought we were a major part of that council. I could be wrong. I would have liked to be consulted.”

The council’s head of property Jonathan Waterworth apologised for failing to consult councillors and chief executive Norman Stronach said it would not happen again. The head of property said the pedestrianisation plans would involve a toucan or pelican crossing.

In January a Town Deal Board was set up to devise schemes up to £25m to regenerate the town. Made up of business leaders, councillors and local organisations, the board is being chaired by Lorna Dodge, who runs a marketing agency in the town.

However the board did not meet in March or May, possibly due to the covid crisis, and now has just six months to put in its bid to central government. The minutes of what was discussed at the July board are not yet available.

So far there has not been any consultation with the public about how they want to see the town centre develop.

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