Public Spaces Protection Order consultation for Emporium Way Northampton

Overview

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is considering whether to make a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to temporarily close off a pedestrian route in Northampton town centre, in order to help control anti-social behaviour.

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

Emporium Way is a council owned walkway that connects the north of the Market Square to Greyfriars, Lady's Lane, and the Mayorhold car park. Unfortunately, over many years it has been used as a place to conduct anti-social behaviour and criminal activities during the day time and after dark.

A partnership approach has been taken to exploring options for tackling the issues in Emporium Way. Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to make the space any safer due its nature and its reduced visibility.

There is regular police and warden patrolling of the area, however it is impossible to constantly monitor.

Whilst work is underway to redevelop the market square it is proposed to use the Crime and Policing Act (2014) to temporarily close Emporium Way, during which we will look at ways that this space can be improved.

Proposal

The proposal looks to close Emporium Way, this will look to help control anti-social behaviour by preventing pedestrian or wheeled access through the walkway and underpass. It is proposed to use the Crime and Policing Act (2014) to close the route 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the exception of required access for fire exit and waste collection if required. This will be in place whilst the redevelopment works are undertaken on the market square and we decide on how to improve this route.

The map below shows the area we are looking to temporarily close.

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 Emporium Way, 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 to temporarily close Emporium Way will then be made. If we do proceed, then a draft PSPO will be prepared and advertised, and consideration taken about how this space is developed in the future.

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 September 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 Emporium Way, 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 to temporarily close Emporium Way will then be made. If we do proceed, then a draft PSPO will be prepared and advertised, and consideration taken about how this space is developed in the future.