Battle of Naseby site could get new country park

The Cromwell Monument at Naseby was unveiled in 1936

A new country park could be created to commemorate the site of one of Britain's most important battles.

The attraction would mark the Battle of Naseby, which took place in Northamptonshire in 1645 and saw Oliver Cromwell's army defeat the King's men.

It is one of seven sites earmarked in a West Northamptonshire Council plan for new green spaces.

They are included in a strategy that opposition politicians described as "rushed" and had "no detail at all".

The Naseby Obelisk was erected in 1823 to commemorate the battle

The council said it wanted to fill "noticeable gaps" in green space provision across the area.

According to the strategy, the Naseby park would "provide a valuable addition to the area's attraction to tourists".

"Currently there is no real way to appreciate the battle, which is a noticeable omission given its importance to English history and indeed to that of these islands as a whole," the authority added.

At the moment, there are two monuments, a viewing platform and some interpretation boards near the site.

The battle took place on 14 June 1645, when the army of Parliament destroyed the King's army in fields just outside the village of Naseby

Another location on the list is Brackley, where the strategy describes a "gap" in green space provision.

It suggests using part of the former Great Central Railway, perhaps through the West Northamptonshire countryside, to Helmdon.

Another linear park is proposed from Northampton town centre to Horton, via the old Northampton to Bedford railway line, and there could also be a more substantial park in the Lings Wood area.

The strategy says work on the Marefair Heritage Park on the boundary of the once-famous Northampton Castle, which is costing the council £1.5m, is expected to be completed by Autumn 2024.

This will include a play area, new safe pathways, flowerbeds, and seating areas.

The green postern gate is the only surviving part of Northampton Castle's structure

A consultation on the strategy is now under way.

During a meeting, the Labour councillor Emma Roberts said: "I don't believe this strategy sets an ambitious strategic direction. This is rushed, hurried and has got no detail at all.

"There's no sense of community inclusion in this draft. We have got to move away from seeing consultation as a tick-box exercise."

The conservative cabinet member for the environment, Phil Larratt, said: "Our parks are great, but they can do even more and there are parts of West Northamptonshire with limited provision.

"We encourage everyone with an interest in the parks to respond to this consultation."