A) AN UNSIGHTLY INTRUSION INTO THE AREA
B) TRAFFIC CONGESTION OR HIGHWAY SAFETY PROBLEMS C) AN UNACCEPTABLE INCREASE IN ON-STREET PARKING
D) EXCESSIVE NOISE AND DISTURBANCE, PARTICULARLY IN HOUSING AREAS E) AREAS OF LANDSCAPE OR ECOLOGICAL VALUE BEING LOST OR DAMAGED.
7.115. The scope for families and particularly those with young children, to take a greater part in leisure activities has been stressed in both regional and county recreation strategies . Greater participation by parents
would be encouraged by the provision of better family facilities in new leisure and community developments, in both the public and private sectors. The provision of short term childcare in a creche or nursery would give parents more opportunity to use the sporting or leisure facilities available in new developments. Also parents with babies and young children would greatly benefit from facilities for baby changing and feeding. Such facilities need to be incorporated within the initial planning and layout of developments if they are to be adequate and successful.
7.116. The Council will encourage the provision within new or enlarged leisure and community developments, where appropriate, of childcare facilities.
TOURISM
7.117. Tourism makes an important contribution to the economy and prosperity of the town. Recognition of Northampton's tourist potential will strengthen and broaden the economic base and lead to additional facilities being provided. These will benefit the resident population as well as visitors by enhancement of the character and profile of the town.
7.118. Northampton is a blend of an old market town and a modern thriving community. The historic buildings, churches and market square complement the shops, the new indoor retailing centres and areas of commerce. The museums portray the diverse development of Northampton to the present day, but particularly the town's boot and shoe heritage. All year round entertainment is provided at the internationally known Derngate and Royal Theatre with the Musical Merry-Go-Round at Wootton and Billing Aquadrome being other major tourist attractions. The parks and gardens of Northampton are renowned although the river and canal are under-utilised facilities. Visitors can follow the major sporting interests with first class cricket, league football and rugby in the town, whilst grand prix motor racing and national hunt meetings take place nearby. Golf courses have been referred to earlier in the chapter. There is a wide ranging choice of accommodation, restaurants and other amenities to cater for the needs of visitors.
7.119. The heritage of Northampton and its advantageous location are the principal assets of the town that need to be realised and developed so as to take advantage of the benefits of tourism. The royal connections with Northampton and the nearby stately and historic houses in the county and just beyond, provide an excellent basis on which to build and encourage tourism. Easy access by road within a short drive to the towns of Cambridge, Oxford, Stratford and Warwick provide the incentive for further development to accommodate visitors wishing to explore the town and region.
7.120. Northampton's position is unrivalled but is not yet fully appreciated. The rail and motorway systems make it highly accessible to a very large catchment area, particularly the populated south-east and the midland conurbation. The town is already benefiting from this by establishing itself as a popular business and conference centre, but there is still a clear need to advocate and promote Northampton as a centre for tourism.
7.121. The Council has prepared an Action Plan for Tourism which is designed to identify and upgrade facilities for tourists. The scope of this should be widened into a new longer term strategy for tourism to co- ordinate the various proposals and to avoid duplication of resources. The strategy will be monitored and reviewed and will ensure that tourist related development does not have a detrimental impact on the existing amenities or character of an area. Such development can also put additional pressure on existing facilities and services. This must be taken into account when assessing the implications of the development.
7.122. The first impressions of the town to any visitor must be good ones and this requires that a whole range of services, by the Council, other agencies and developers must be to the best standard possible to ensure that these impressions are lasting and good. This will promote tourism as well as economic growth.
7.123. The Council will adopt a strategy for tourism to identify and to realise the potential for tourism in Northampton.
7.124. There is a need first to recognise and then to extend and broaden the range of visitor attractions in the town. The proposed country park at Upton and the sports and leisure complex at Sixfields will be major attractions catering for a whole range of interests in the one area with good access to the motorway. In addition, there are opportunities to provide tourist related facilities as part of other major development schemes and these will continue to be encouraged by the Council. One such example is the proposed inclusion of a National Fairground Museum in the Riverside Park development in the Nene Valley.
L28 SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER POLICIES OF THE LOCAL PLAN, PLANNING