Councillor Paul Varnsverry

Residents living near a parkland are celebrating after learning their efforts to safeguard the site against development have been backed by the Liberal Democrat cabinet at Northampton Borough Council.

Far Cotton Recreation Ground will receive “Town Green” after two local residents associations supported efforts by local cleric, Reverend Ted Hale, to convince Northampton Borough Council that the parkland warranted protection.

Addressing the cabinet on Wednesday evening, Reverend Hale - speaking on behalf of Far Cotton Residents Association and Friars Residents Association - commended the council and its officers for their support and assistance, describing it as “a good example of councillors and the people working together” and adding that that 99% of respondents to a consultation questionnaire had backed the proposal.

Councillor Paul Varnsverry, addressing the cabinet in support of the proposal, praised Reverend Hale, saying that in his address to cabinet Reverend Hale had been “extremely modest about his role as the main driving force behind this campaign.”

Councillor Varnsverry then added “The third anniversary approaches of the start of the Delapre bund protest, which arose because the Conservative administration of the time simply didn’t care to listen to the concerns of the people of Far Cotton and Delapre. The way in which this application for Town Green status has been processed by the Liberal Democrat administration is a superb example of what is possible when an administration is interested and does hear what the community is saying to them and works with the community.”