Northamptonshire quango powers extended
West Northamptonshire Development Corporation is to have its powers extended after the government completed a review of the corporation, which it set up five years ago.
The WNDC has been given the green light to continue working for economic development in Northampton (pictured), Towcester and Daventry, and its powers to decide on planning applications are to be extended. It can currently decide on developments with 5o housing units and in April 2011 this will be extended to schemes with 200 units.
Peter Mawson, chief executive of the WNDC, said the body would continue to push forward developments in the area.
“Our priorities include a redevelopment of the waterside area, as well as the regeneration of Northampton’s Castle station,” he said.
Ian Austin, the regeneration minister, said the development corporation would work closely with local authorities and communities.
“These new arrangements keep the focus on delivering new homes and jobs for local people but help improve working arrangements with delivery partners to make efficiencies and savings, and give more responsibility to local communities,” he said.
Development corporations are under pressure as the government is looking to axe quangos as part of its bid to repair the public sector budget deficit. The chancellor Alistair Darling forecast the deficit would be £178bn in 2009/10 in the pre-Budget report on 9 December.
The Conservatives have also pledged to axe quangos if it wins power at the general election, which has to happen before June 2010. Development corporations are among those worrying about cuts.
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