North Northants Council (NNC) has launched a consultation asking people to give their views on Wellingborough to help for a ‘masterplan’ for the area.

Those who take part in the consultation will be asked to give basic information such as their connection to Wellingborough and a series of questions relating to the town’s current infrastructure and how it can be improved, be it through supporting local businesses, implementing more green spaces and reusing old assets, asking respondents to rank issues relating to the masterplan according to importance.

Cllr Jan O’Hara, the council’s executive member for planning and economic growth, said: “To reach this point, we have been working closely with stakeholders from across the Wellingborough area. But now we need residents’ input on the draft Masterplan and five areas across the town centre.

“Going forward, we plan to lead by example and work closely with communities and stakeholders to positively impact the growth of town centres across North Northamptonshire.

placeholder image — Wellingboorugh Town Centre, April 2026

“For this particular piece of work, I would encourage residents to get involved and have their say - your local knowledge and thoughts are invaluable as we finalise the Wellingborough Masterplan.”

The proposal to have Wellingborough be the focus of a masterplan was raised in January, where the council noted the town was the most in need of change and had the ‘strongest opportunity for transformation, following a review into Kettering, Wellingborough, Corby and Rushden.

The masterplan will focus on four key objectives which are aimed at creating a ‘sustainable, family‑friendly and well‑connected town centre’ through delivering a civic heart and unified cultural experience, coordinating ‘big and small’ connectivity, harnessing heritage and repurpose ‘tradeable’ assets, and empowering an integrated mixed‑use economy.

NNC is hoping to ‘strengthen the civic heart, enhance cultural experiences, and improve walking and cycling links to help reduce congestion and emissions.’

Wellingborough was deemed the 'most in need' of regeneration

Cllr Martin Griffiths, leader of North Northamptonshire Council, added: “The development of this is new vision for Wellingborough town centre is very exciting, especially as this consultation is part of a wider phased plan that looks at regeneration for all our town centres, as well as our BIG50 vision.

“As well as looking to the future, we are looking at how we can best harness the heritage of Wellingborough and deliver the civic pride of this very special place. I really hope that residents take the opportunity to share their views in a positive way.”

Alongside the consultation, the council will be hosting a pair of public open days, where people will be able to ask questions about the plan and share views of Wellingborough.

The first will take place from 10am in Swansgate Shopping Centre on May 12 and the other at Wellingborough Library on May 27, also from 10am until 4pm.

The consultation closes on June 15, after this responses will be analysed and collated into a report to be presented at a council meeting later in 2026. Following this, the council hopes to draft a similar plan for Kettering.

The council’s vision for Wellingborough town centre is to be ‘a proud, vibrant, and welcoming town with a strong heart.’

It reads: “Wellingborough will be a proud, vibrant, and welcoming town with a strong heart - a ‘growth town’ where our rich heritage and future ambition come together.

“We will stitch our neighbourhoods, green spaces, and historic and modern assets together with safe, walkable streets that lead to a vibrant new civic heart.

“We will create a town centre patchwork of activity, business, culture, and community where every piece of the town connects.

“This is our route map to a 21st-century heart where heritage and future are woven together, restoring a deep, shared pride in Wellingborough.”

The consultation can be found online here.