Residents challenge plan for travellers' site

North Northamptonshire Council has no temporary stopping site for transient travellers in the area

A proposed location for a temporary travellers' site has been criticised by residents living nearby.

North Northamptonshire Council has identified Generals Corner, south of junction 11 of the A14, in Woodford, near Kettering, as its preferred option.

The Reform UK local authority currently has no authorised site for travellers in the area.

But at a Woodford Parish Council meeting on 18 November, which drew more than 30 people, one speaker said: "I think it's very clear from the attendance at this meeting tonight that there's a significant opposition to a temporary travellers' site here in Woodford."

Concerns over the travellers' site plan were raised at a Woodford Parish Council meeting

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, this year the council has recorded 91 unauthorised travellers' encampments.

Under the new proposal, those choosing to stay at the site could remain for up to 28 days and would be charged £120 a pitch for a week, plus a £250 security deposit.

A previously shortlisted site near Rothwell was ditched in 2023.

Kirk Harrison, North Northamptonshire Council's executive member for regulatory services, said the site was "by no means a done deal" but remained the only council-owned option that met the necessary criteria.

He said the facilities would be "deliberately unattractive", with running water but no electricity, adding: "Paying for such meagre facilities, I don't think, is going to be particularly popular."

But another resident living near Generals Corner urged the council to "keep [their] eyes open" for alternatives, describing the choice as a "poor decision".

It is estimated that the project would cost about £485,000, with up to £65,000 required to manage it each year.

A public consultation will be held before any planning application is submitted.