Planning application to gate off ‘anti-social’ alleyway in Northampton town cente set for approval

Northampton Borough Council wanted to restrict public access to the Jeyes Jetty, which runs from The Drapery to College Street, with its cabinet agreeing the move in October at a cost of up to £20,000.

It followed a public consultation carried out between June and September last year, with 81.9 per cent of the 188 responders feeling that anti-social behaviour was a problem in Jeyes Jetty, whilst 47.9 per cent had directly experienced anti-social behaviour there.

Among those who had called for the jetty to be gated off was the mother of Bradley Matcham. The 24-year-old sadly passed away after being punched in the confines of the jetty in February 2019 while out celebrating with friends.

Next week (June 9), members of Northampton Borough Council’s planning committee will decide whether to follow officer advice and award planning permission to install the three-metre high gates.

A conservation officer for the council states: “The gating of the jetty is proposed due to the extent of criminal activity and anti-social behaviour which takes place along its length. The need to gate the historic jetty is unfortunate.

“However, the design of the gates will enable some visibility along the length of the historic route. The proposal will result in a level of harm to the historic significance of the route and its contribution to the street pattern which is considered to be less than substantial which needs to be weighed against the public benefit of the proposal.”

The jetty gets its name as the building to the north, facing Drapery, was occupied by Jeyes Pharmacy from 1810 until 1969. It is a grade II listed building, which has led to the need for the planning committee to consider the application.

However, eight residents have written in to object, with planning papers saying they ‘disagreed with blocking a piece of history completely away’.