Public Spaces Protection Order consultation for Dunster Street Northampton

Overview

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is considering whether to renew a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to close the highway known as Dunster Street.

A PSPO allows councils to impose restrictions on the use of specific areas. A PSPO can deal with persistent and unreasonable nuisances and anti-social behaviour that has a detrimental effect on the quality of life for the local community in a particular area. They intend to help ensure that the public can use and enjoy public spaces and can help to make West Northamptonshire a better and safer place to live.

Background

The highway known as Dunster Street in Northampton, is an alleyway that connects Dunster Street to St Michaels Road. This alleyway was gated in 2021 using a PSPO. A PSPO is only valid for three years, however, it can be renewed multiple times and therefore we are considering a renewal as the closure has acted as a deterrent for activities that are seen unreasonable or detrimental, for example illegal or anti-social behaviour. These are the reasons for the closure in the first place, and monitoring this area has seen a notable improvement since the gating.

Proposal

It is proposed to use the Crime and Policing Act (2014) to close the alleyway 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the exception of required access for fire exit and waste collection if required.

The map below shows the Dunster Street area covered in the proposal, and an alternative route.

The consultation process

Legally, we must have evidence to show the need for a PSPO before such an Order is made. The activities controlled by the PSPO need to have had, or be likely to have, an unreasonable and detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality and are, or are likely to be, persistent and continuing in nature.

What happens next?

We will review the feedback from the consultation and take into account the views of businesses and other owners and occupiers of properties around Dunster Street, as well as those of Northants Police and Northants Fire and Rescue Service. A decision whether to proceed with the process to make a PSPO will then be made. If we do proceed, then a draft PSPO will be prepared and advertised.

How to provide your views

We welcome views on the proposal and invite comments through an online survey which can be accessed below.

For further information, if you have difficulties accessing the consultation, or would like a copy of this questionnaire in another format please contact Aimee Luck, Community Safety and Engagement Project Officer for central Northampton at pspo.NBC@westnorthants.gov.uk or by contacting the Community Safety and Engagement Team on 07557496415.

This consultation closes at midnight on 19 November 2023.

For further detail of how we handle data please see the Community Safety and Engagement Privacy Notice.

What happens next

We will review the feedback from the consultation and take into account the views of businesses and other owners and occupiers of properties around Dunster Street, as well as those of Northants Police and Northants Fire and Rescue Service. A decision whether to proceed with the process to make a PSPO will then be made. If we do proceed, then a draft PSPO will be prepared and advertised.