Council To Review Temporary Traveller Site Plan

A controversial plan to turn a green space near Rothwell into a temporary stopping site for travellers is to be reviewed by North Northamptonshire Council.

The council previously allocated £1.3m to create the facility on the land off next to junction 3 of the A14, to the fury of residents.

Over 7,000 people signed a petition opposing the move, described by campaigners as ‘environmental vandalism.’

The recently-elected Reform UK administration will re-evaluate the decision taken by the previous Conservative-run council, after a motion was backed by the majority of councillors at a meeting on Thursday.

It was put forward by Cllr Jim Hakewill (Independent) who represents Rothwell and Mawsley and has been leading a campaign against the plan.

He spoke of the concern within the community:

Campaigners at the site Pic: Andy Carpenter

Seven councillors in Rothwell previously quit the Conservative party in protest at the plan and Rothwell Town Council applied to secure the green space as an Asset of Community Value, as a further attempt to protect the site from any development.

Cllr Brian Benneyworth (Reform) also represents Rothwell and Mawsley and spoke at the meeting:

Cllr Jim Hakewill (left) with Cllr Cedwien Brown and Cllr Joseph Smyth who were among seven Conservatives to  quit the party over the issue. Pic: andy Carpenter