Disused garage sites across two Wellingborough estates transformed into nearly 300 new parking spaces

The two-year programme has been delivered by Northamptonshire-based housing association Greatwell Homes in the Hemmingway and Queensway areas of the town, where the organisation owns and manages a large number of homes.

The transformed sites - situated in Gannet Lane and Fulmar Lane on the Hemmingwell estate and Kiln Way and Minerva Way in Queensway - have been resurfaced with block-paving, providing close to 300 new parking spaces for residents in the area.

New brickwork, fencing and bollards have tidied up the boundaries, with the housing provider also installing new LED street lighting to enhance safety and security on the sites.

The former garage sites which had been disused for a number of years, were first demolished and fenced off in 2024 due to safety and anti-social behaviour concerns, with Greatwell Homes securing planning permission for the proposals.

The programme, which has been completed over three phases through local contractors Phoenix Surfacing Ltd and A. Ainge and Sons, is in response to feedback from local residents at the lack of suitable parking in the area.

With the work now almost complete, resident surveys on the improvements have shown 100 per cent of those who completed the survey were either satisfied or very satisfied with the new sites.

Julie Robinson, executive director at Greatwell Homes, said: “As proud members of Placeshapers, we know our remit extends far beyond the bricks and mortar of our homes.

"Providing places and neighbourhoods that respond to and meet the needs of our customers and wider community informs so much of what we do and this programme is another example of this commitment.

“Transforming these sites not only provides 292 much needed new parking spaces for our customers, it also significantly improves the safety and security of areas that were proving to be an eyesore for the community and hotspot for ASB.

“Our customers now have safe, secure and fit-for-purpose parking where they live which we know will have a positive impact on day-to-day lives.”

Following completion of the first phase of the programme last summer, MP for Wellingborough and Rushden Gen Kitchen visited one of the sites in Gannet Lane on the Hemmingwell estate to see how the programme was progressing.

Speaking during the visit in July 2025, Gen Kitchen MP said: “It's great to see the positive impact these improvements will have.

"Increased parking and better lighting will make a real difference to the daily lives of residents.

“I know from speaking to people in Hemmingwell and Queensway that anti-social behaviour and a lack of parking are a real issue.

"Greatwell Homes has listened to those concerns.”