Local councillors are united with their concerns over the potential loss of the Jacksons Lane car park, with North Northants Council saying it intends to keep some parking provision despite needing to ‘secure best value for any future sale.’

Jacksons Lane car park in Wellingborough is a North Northants Council-owned site which is ‘‘no longer needed’ according to the Reform-led council, but in an update the council notes it wishes to retain some parking provision after the sale.

Potential buyers do not have to provide parking, however NNC says the ‘intention’ has always been that part of the site is retained for public car parking.

In a ‘clarification’ posted today (February 26), NNC says that, now that the site has been confirmed as no longer needed, it can ‘engage with the market to gauge the different types of interest there is in the site’ and hopes to work with the potential buyer on a design for the site that ‘combines regeneration with a local parking provision.’

Jacksons Lane car park in Wellingborough is one of five sites earmarked for potential development, the others including Phase 2 Glenvale Park fields in Wellingborough, Saunders Close land in Kettering, land at the corner of Rectory Road and John Clark Way, Rushden, and sheltered housing flats in Beech Close, Desborough

placeholder image — Jacksons Lane car park in Wellingborough is one of five sites earmarked for potential development, the others including Phase 2 Glenvale Park fields in Wellingborough, Saunders Close land in Kettering, land at the corner of Rectory Road and John Clark Way, Rushden, and sheltered housing flats in Beech Close, Desborough

The council says a condition of the sale is to retain ‘some’ public parking, however NNC is required to secure ‘best value for any future sale’, and currently cannot confirm where, or what until it goes on the market.

An NNC spokesman said: “While the council is required to secure best value for any future sale, it is equally focused on ensuring that any proposal will deliver long-term benefits for the wider town including retaining parking provision within the site.

"The marketing will make it clear that we want to retain some parking provision. This would be a condition of any sale or development agreement reached and the council may retain ownership of part of the car park.

"The main reason for including to full site is to provide options for considering the site as a whole.”

Labour councillors in Wellingborough have voiced their concerns at the proposal, which also include a large section of vacant land off Derek Hooton Way as well as the car park.

Cllr Sylvia Erskine said: “Residents do not want to see this land sold to developers or removed from community use.

“Jacksons Lane car park is not a luxury, it is a vital community asset that supports residents, faith groups, community organisations and the loss would have serious and lasting consequences.”

Both Labour and Conservatives in Wellingborough are asking for a public consultation lasting at least a month to take place, with a spokesman for the party saying ‘residents’ pleas are not being heard by Reform’s North Northants Council.’

Cllr Kelly Duddridge (Labour) added: “The decision behind the sale sits juxtaposed to the ethos behind the agreed masterplan regeneration of Wellingborough town centre.

"It feels counterintuitive to the shared desire to increase the profile of the town centre as an attractive place to have a business and visit.”

Jacksons Lane car park is one of two council-owned, free cark parks in Wellingborough, the other being the multi-storey in Commercial Way.

Last summer it was described as a key problem area in the town for local litter pickers, the Wellie Wombles, and the introduction of three bins in the area had helped improve the state of the area.

On behalf of the Wellingborough and Rushden Conservative Association David Goss, who contested the 2024 general election for the party, has also expressed frustration at the move, penning a letter to NNC leader, Cllr Martin Griffiths.

In it, he writes: “In recent days we have engaged with residents, including through a public survey, who have expressed concern not only about the potential consequences of the proposal, but also about the absence of prior public consultation before progressing towards disposal of a significant public asset.

"While any redevelopment would be subject to planning approval, the decision to market and sell the land represents a significant and potentially irreversible step.

"It is therefore reasonable to expect those clear assurances regarding the sale, accessibility, and affordability of any retained public parking; alongside a meaningful opportunity for public engagement are established before disposal proceeds.”

The association urges NNC to ‘delay the decision’ to make way for a public consultation.

An extraordinary meeting of Wellingborough Town Council will take place on March 3, where councillors say they will have a‘very narrow’ timeframe to raise their objections, as NNC will be meeting on March 5, just two days later.

The full agenda for the Wellingborough Town Council meeting can be found online here.