Revived calls for 'heritage gateway' around former castle to celebrate Northampton's medieval history

Renewed calls have been made for a 'heritage gateway' celebrating the medieval history of Northampton, almost nine years after the idea was first suggested.

Friends of Northampton Castle wants the authorities to create a park highlighting the former building as well as the archaeology of the surrounding area.

Marie Dickie, from the group, and Spring Boroughs Voice's Joe Joyce have written to the MPs and senior Northampton Borough Council members urging them not to abandon the project.

"We need green space and public realm which brings together some extraordinary buildings, the archaeology of a great castle and the stories behind them," Dr Dickie said.

"This could be a place for people to 'have a day out'. We appreciate that the present circumstances are not easy and it is easier to think short-term."

"But if we want to make Northampton’s past part of its future, it has to be for the long term.

"We cannot just run up more flats in an area which is one of the most crowded in Northampton, we cannot just rebury any archaeology found, we cannot present our history as though we were just passing through."

In 2011, Friends of Northampton Castle re-imagined how a run-down area of Marefair, near the railway station, could become a 'heritage gateway' to mark the importance of the former 11th-century castle.

Improvements have been made since then to highlight the area's history, including a new information board about the castle, a mural, pennants and benches.

But the group thinks more should be done and is worried that previously-supported plans are being superseded by other issues, like housing.

Dr Dickie and Ms Joyce wrote to MPs Andrew Lewer and Michael Ellis, council leader Jonathan Nunn and cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise Tim Hadland to share their concerns.

"We are of the opinion that the priorities we have worked upon are now taking second place to other demands," the letter reads.

"While compromise is laudable and necessary, simply over-riding and ignoring is not."

Cllr Hadland said the council sees the park as a key proposal within the heritage gateway, describing it as a positive asset for the town centre which they are working towards.

“To ensure this is of sufficient quality that the town and local area deserves, it needs to be funded, with this coming from the wider site. It wouldn’t be possible without housing provision," he continued.

“We’ve already demonstrated our commitment by acquiring the Old Black Lion, where we are working with the Churches Conservation Trust to enhance the area.

"We also acquired the Castle House site which, but for our intervention, could have been sold for a stand-alone development, out of step with the wider picture.

“We are happy to continue working with representatives from Spring Boroughs and the Friends of Northampton Castle to ensure that whatever we deliver here is the very best it can possibly be.”