Campaigners hosting Kettering family fun day to help fund barrister in fight against warehouse park

Weekley Hall Wood and wildflower meadow. Credit: Adam Riley

Campaigners who are in a battle against a plan for a huge Kettering warehouse park will hold a family fun day to help them fund a barrister.

The Save Weekley Hall Wood (SWHW) group hope to have legal representation at a planning inquiry, which is due to begin next month, over the fate of a controversial plan by the Duke of Buccleuch’s development company.

Buccleuch Property wants to build warehouses on land near Weekley Hall Wood, on the northern edge of the town, which will see the loss of a meadow and popular walking routes.

SWHW campaigners have been fighting the plan since 2020 and have raised £22,000 but have three weeks to raise another £8,000 for a barrister.

To help their cause they’re hosting a family fun day on Sunday (October 29) in Weekley Hall Wood. They are inviting families, friends and anyone who loves nature to an afternoon of ‘Spooky’n’Sweet’ fun. The event will run from 2pm to 4pm and will feature woodland crafts, den building, Halloween fun and live music.

Entry is free but donations are welcomed.

Campaigner Grace Siddington, a local mum and nursery owner, said: “We’re all in favour of a strong economy and supporting business in Kettering, but this land is special.

“There are many other places these warehouses could go that would avoid the destruction of such a beautiful natural habitat.

“We all love to run, cycle and walk the dogs in Weekley Hall Wood but it wouldn’t be the same surrounded by warehouses.

“We know other people feel the same because 23,000 local residents signed our petition to halt these plans; that’s a third of the population of Kettering.

“We have appointed a barrister to argue our case, because there are good legal arguments to protect this meadow for future generations. However this expertise does not come cheap.

“We’d be so grateful if anyone who feels the same would come and join us, have a great afternoon in the woods, and chip in whatever they can afford.

“Together we can give our town and nature a voice.”

For information on attending the family fun day, including where to park, bus routes and how to find it, follow @saveweekleyhallwood on Facebook and Instagram. To make a donation, visit www.saveweekleyhallwood.com.