New land acquired for town's park
An historic park in Towcester is set to double in size after the acquisition of nearly 30 acres of land.
South Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) have paid £150,000 for land at the Water Meadows.
This is in addition to 28 acres restored and opened last April.
The park is the centrepiece of the Moat Lane regeneration project which will see the creation of new shops, offices, community facilities and a library.
The Water Meadows cover an area of open grassland stretching from Northampton Road right through to the racecourse.
As well as opening the land to the public, there have been a number of enhancements, including seating, footpaths and a pedestrian bridge linking it with Bury Mount.
Planning permission will be required to enable public access to the new land, but it is hoped it will be opened in the summer.
John Townsend, portfolio holder for environmental policy at South Northamptonshire Council, said: "Since this land was opened to the public a year ago, it has been widely used and appreciated, not only by the people of Towcester, but also visitors to the area.
"I feel that this second tranche with its lovely river bank and views across to the race course is even more beautiful, and certainly the two together make for a spectacular stretch of countryside open for all."