The Masterplan for Northampton Racecourse has been generally welcomed by many local people as a positive step towards maintaining and developing this important local green space. Since being launched last week, the HLH steering groups have received many emails of thanks, support and encouragement and the conversations in local playgrounds, shops, street corners and local residents groups have been very positive. The general emphasis of the comments is that while The Raceourse is a wonderful and much-loved place, it does need some care, attention and new play and recreation facilities and the HLH steering group of local residents within the Friends of Northampton Racecourse are to be congratulated for trying to improve the facilties.

There have been a few critical letters in the local press, but maybe written before the Masterplan had been viewed and written from a misinformed position. First, the Masterplan is NOT a blueprint for development, merely ideas for discussion and wide consultation. Second, it is not about detail but a general overview about how The Racecourse's open spaces can be retained and developed. Third, it intends to use what's already in place rather than build new facilites eg. to refurbish the 'centre building' as a cafe and restore the bottom of The Pavilion for meeting rooms, social enterprises and the Urban Bike Hire facility.

No new Pavilion is to be built and The Racecourse is not going to be concreted over or become a theme park!!!! (as far as the Friends of Northampton Racecourse are concerned!) However, the masterplan does include ideas for much-needed creative play facilities for children and young people.

If the Masterplan is accepted for further examination at the NBC Cabinet meeting on June 2nd, this will open-up resources for further consultation about the ideas, hopefully via public displays around the town. This will continue the process of ongoing consultation with local people which began 3.5 years ago. Since then the HLH steering group have talked about and listened to the ideas at many Friends of Northampton Racecourse meetings, Central Area & Kingsley & Parklands Neighbourhood meetings, and Semilong Forum and Colwyn Rd. Residents Association meetings. At the 'Racecourse Summit' and ongoing Racecourse Partnership Board which has been meeting for almost 2 years. There have been exhibitions at the 2006 & 2007 Balloon Festivals, the 2007 Umbrella Fayre, Barclaycard HQ and the 2007 Racecourse Community Picnic. Over 900 surveys were received back from local people identifying the wish for a cafe, better play facilites and better maintenance of The Racecourse, including 150 responses from young people at Unity College. Over 45 articles have appeared in the Chronicle & Echo during the past 3 years about the Healthy Living Hub project. While there can always be more consutaltion and involvement by local people, it is incorrect and unfair to say that this small group of local residents have not continually involved, talked with and listened to the views of local people. And we will continue to do so!