Wellingborough will be the first town to benefit from a council-led masterplan after the public made their feelings known during a consultation earlier this year.

After a six-week public consultation during May and June, councillors will be asked to approve a plan that hopes to bring life back to the town centre.

Feedback during the consultation showed that 84 per cent of respondents support the overall vision, and between 84 per cent and 90 per cent agree with its four key objectives of delivering a ‘sustainable, family‑friendly and well‑connected town centre’ through delivering a civic heart and unified cultural experience, co-ordinating ‘big and small’ connectivity, harnessing heritage and repurpose ‘tradeable’ assets’, and empowering an integrated mixed‑use economy.

Consultation launched as council looks to form Wellingborough masterplan hoping ...

Cllr Jan O'Hara, North Northamptonshire Council's executive member for planning and economic growth, said: “This represents an important milestone in shaping a positive future for Wellingborough town centre and looking further forward at long-term regeneration and investment.

“I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and helped shape this vision. Responses showed strong support for the masterplan, whilst highlighting the issues that matter most to local people. These responses will help us we move through the next steps. These steps are not something we can do on our own, it will need a joined-up approach to make the masterplan a success with input and backing from a wide range of partners.”

“If approved, the masterplan is about creating a town centre that works for residents, businesses and visitors, whilst helping the town centre adapt to a changing economy and building on existing strengths.”

The masterplan was commissioned after a review of North Northamptonshire's four main town centres at the end of 2025 identified Wellingborough as the most in need of regeneration, citing ‘significant redevelopment opportunities, strong growth potential and a need to address long-standing town centre challenges.’

Once Wellingborough’s masterplan has been implemented, a masterplan for Kettering is proposed to follow at a later date.

Cllr Martin Griffiths, leader of the council, added: “The Wellingborough town centre masterplan is an exciting piece of work aimed at improving the area for residents and visitors to Wellingborough.

“It has been very well received by locals and businesses who are keen to see things progress – subject to funding being available. In the meantime, there have been a lot of ideas from residents which can be implemented much quicker.

“What we learn in Wellingborough will be used to improve our other town centres who face similar challenges as shopping habits continue to change.”

North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive will meet on Tuesday, August 11, at the Corby Cube. The papers are available online, and the meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube.