Please see Highways and Traffic for details of closures below:
- Diversion route through Blisworth due to micro-resurfacing work within the next 2 weeks in Stoke Bruerne.
- Part of Shutlanger Road will be closed from 7th April to 27th June 2025 for Anglian Water to complete works.
- Part of Courteenhall Road will be closed between 16-18th June 2025 to allow Anglian Water to undertake a new water connection.
- Part of Stoke Road will be closed between 01 July 2025 – 03 July 2025 to allow an air valve and chamber to be repaired.
- Part of Milton Road will be closed on 1st May to allow Core Highways to complete works to a telegraph pole.
Please see our WNC Information and Notices page for information on their new WellBeing Service and also information about Winter Financial Support: Residents are urged to access vital winter financial support
Ways to keep in touch:
Like and follow our page on Facebook, https://www.
Contact Us: blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com 0798 3233501
Council Meetings: First Monday of the month, 7:30 pm at the Village Hall, Stoke Rd, Blisworth. We’d love for you to join us because your opinion really counts and your input helps guide the Parish Council in the right direction.
Blisworth Parish Council Newsletter No 162 Apr May 2025
Local Elections May 2025
Please see our WNC Information and Notices page for more information.
Police Beat Bus Surgery: Wed 26 Feb 2025 3pm – 4pm The Royal Oak, 1 Chapel Lane, Blisworth NN7 3BU.
South Northants Police & Local Issues – Let them know what you think the local issues are!
South Northants Police recently requested residents to tell them about any local issues that concern you. The easiest way to do this is by completing the Police Local Priorities survey: https://www.northamptonshireneighbourhoodalert.co.uk/LocallyIdentifiedPriorities Alternatively, you can contact your local neighbourhood officer at NeighbourhoodTeamSouthNorthants-Towcester@northants.police.uk The Police set up ‘locally identified priorities (LIPs)’ which are based on the issues that are of most concern in each area. Your feedback is really important; so please contact the Police and tell them know want you want the Police to monitor, e.g. speeding in the village, not just on Towcester Road (as you leave/enter the village).
Subscriptions now open for the 2025/26 West Northants garden waste service
Allotments
Blisworth Parish Council currently has a number of plots that are vacant on the Parish Council allotments, off Courteenhall Road. If you would like a relaxing place to grow your own veg or flowers, please contact the clerk. Fees are £10.00 per year.
Community Grants
The Parish Council offers Community Grants (up to £500.00) which are available for local groups that deliver activities or services to benefit the residents of Blisworth. The Parish Council considers applications at its meetings in June and December. Simply download the form and send your applications to the Clerk. Applicants must meet the criteria set out in the Grant Policy and form which can be viewed here.
Blisworth Young Parish Councillors – Have your say!
Blisworth Baptist Church – Chapel Lane, Blisworth
4TH FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH
https://www.facebook.com/1BYPC/
Blisworth Young Parish Council: Next meeting in January 2025. Opportunity to join the team 11-17 yrs. Empowering young people in Blisworth to have their say and be heard.
DO YOU LOVE LIVING IN OR WORKING IN BLISWORTH?
JOIN OUR PARISH COUNCIL
- We need someone who wants to make a difference.
- We need someone that is passionate about the village.
- We need someone that can turn their ideas into actions.
- We have a vacancy just waiting to be filled by YOU.
- Contact the clerk: blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com.
- You must be aged 18 years and over, eligible to vote and have lived or worked in the parish of Blisworth for 12 months or more, or within 3 miles of the parish boundary.
- The role of Parish Councillor is unpaid however training and support is provided. Our current Parish Councillors are an enthusiastic and friendly group and you would be very welcome to join them. Please contact the Clerk to find out more.
Blisworth Parish Council Surgery
We will continue to host informal surgery sessions where councillors will be present at the Blisworth Baptist Church for discussion on any parish issues. It will be a great opportunity to join us for a chat and air any concerns over a cup of coffee and maybe a bit of cake! We are extremely grateful for the support of the Baptist Church and the free use of their facilities to further support our local community. Council Surgery sessions are on the second Tuesday of each month (10:30 – 12:00). If you are concerned about the traffic issues in the village or have any other worries please come and have your say.
Blisworth Parish Council asked for a meeting with representatives from West Northants Council, Highways and the Police to discuss the traffic issues in the village. They agreed to attend the Parish Council meeting on Monday, 2nd October 2023.
Thank you to all the residents that attended. The minutes to the meeting have now been published (Minutes for October-2-2023) and sent to all the representatives that attended the meeting, with the reminder that now they need to work together to resolve the traffic issues in Blisworth. Blisworth Parish Council will continue to correspond with all the representatives that attended the meeting to ensure that there is action as agreed at the meeting.
This meeting was in response to a letter sent by Blisworth Parish Council raising concerns regarding the ongoing traffic issues through the village. The letter has been sent for the attention of:
Massive HGV warehouse development on land west of Northampton Road (Planning Application WNS/2022/1134/MAO).
Please continue to upload your objections, if possible we need 1000 objections.
We wanted to bring this application to residents’ attention again because there have been some amendments to the original planning application and if we do not respond, it may well be agreed. As stated in the last R&A, the plans include approx. 50 HGVs loading/waiting bays, 110 plus car parking spaces and 16 HGVs per hour through the village! In an amendment, it was suggested that a ‘routing system’ will stop vehicles accessing the village. They will advise drivers that they will not be allowed to go through the village, but they have not stipulated who will monitor the HGVs or what fines, if any, will be applied. WNC and the Police do not have the power or labour to monitor the routes that the HGVs use nor will the Police have any legal powers to enforce any recommendations the developer suggests. Therefore the reality is that all these HGVs will pass through the village. BPC has resubmitted another comprehensive objection but we need residents to individually submit objections. Though this proposed development will devalue your property and reduce your ability to sell, the planning committee are not allowed to consider these points in its deliberations.
However, as a resident you can submit an objection and highlight that:
- Already, each time there is an issue with either the A43, A508 or M1, there are significant increases in traffic flows through the village from c5,000 to c9,000 vehicles daily and queuing traffic is now being regularly witnessed up Towcester Road onto the A43 and on the A43 lay-by to turn right into Blisworth, in addition to tailbacks of traffic along Northampton Road beyond the railway bridge, at peak hours.
- Even if, as the developer now suggests, their HGVs will not be able to access the village, then the only route will be Northampton Road but there is not the capacity for this type or increased volume of traffic. It will cause chaos at the Tesco/Mereway roundabout and through Milton Malsor and Collingtree.
- Furthermore, the Secretary of State for Transport has recently agreed that the Gateway, rail-freight terminal can begin operations ahead of ensuring that the rail-freight terminal is operational, leading to further traffic on all routes around the village.
- The original application stated that the location was ideally suited due to the road links with the A43, A508 and M1 but there simply isn’t the capacity on the Blisworth roads for a new development of this type and magnitude.
- The increase in traffic will significantly undermine the buildings in the Conservation area, many of which, by nature of their age, have issues with their foundations.
- Any further increase in traffic along Northampton Road and through the village will increase traffic fumes and noise pollution.
- Already children and the elderly in the village cannot safely navigate the roads due to the speed and quantity of traffic.
- This proposed development will significantly reduce the quality of life of residents in the village.
- If you have photographic evidence to show the amount of traffic on the Northampton Road or through the village, please include these in your letter/email.
- BPC have suggested that to ensure that HGVs from this proposed development cannot pass through Blisworth, the physical design of the access should be amended to include a traffic island so that it is physically impossible for HGVs to turn right towards Blisworth when leaving the site or turn left from Blisworth to enter the site. Appropriate signage on the site and on the approaches should also be provided. We urged that these measures should be made a condition attached to any planning consent.
Even if you do not live on the main routes, please consider writing to support your fellow residents. Remember also, the above, are a few points that you can include, but it is important that you make the letter your own and do not simply copy and paste these points. To submit your objection type in the address: https://wnc.planning-register.co.uk/Planning/Display/WNS/2022/1134/MAO and select COMMENT ON THIS APPLICATION, or write to: Mr Daniel Callis, Principal Planning Officer – Major Projects Team, West Northants Council, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northants NN12 6AD. Quote Planning application no. WNS/2022/1134/MAO Land west of Northampton Road.
Police & Neighbourhood Watch Scheme:
The Neighbourhood alert system has been renamed “Northamptonshire Talking”. Regular updates about local crime and matters of priority within South Northants are on Neighbourhood Alert www.northamptonshireneighbourhoodalert.co.uk/.
Works at the Closed Cemetery, Blisworth
Elections
Have you ever considered working in a Poll Station or at a Count Venue during an election and supporting the democratic process? For further details please visit: www.westnorthants.gov.uk/electoral-services/employment-opportunities-elections.
VOTER ID – You now need photo ID to vote
To view the full list of acceptable photo ID you can use to vote at a polling station, and for further information, please visit our website. If you do not hold accepted photo ID, you can also apply for a the free Voter Authority Certificate.
Here to listen and support you. Contact the Family Community Network to speak in confidence with a sympathetic person who understands farming life.
Helpline: 03000 111 999
Email: help@fcn.org.uk Open 7am – 11pm.
Public Spaces Protection Order
- pick up their dog’s mess and dispose of it properly
- carry the means to pick up after their dog
- prevent their dog from entering public places from which dogs are excluded, including children’s play areas, schools, skateparks, tennis courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and bowling greens
- keep their dog on a lead when in cemeteries, burial sites, graveyards, memorial gardens, allotments, car parks, sports grounds, fields and pitches – when in use for authorised sporting activity
- put their dog on a lead when asked to do so by an authorised officer
- Also restricts a person from walking more than four dogs at any one time and prohibits smoking in: children’s play areas, schools, skateparks, tennis courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs), and bowling greens. You must have the appropriate means to pick up dog faeces deposited by your dog. It is recommended that you take out several bags with you so that if your dog decides to go to the toilet more than once, you are not without a bag. Dispose of the bag correctly in either a dog waste or litter bin, or take it home and place it, suitably wrapped, in your own waste bin. Do not dump the bag in a hedge or hang it from a branch, this is littering. Littering is also an offence and you can receive a fine of £150.
Parking and Mobility issues
Blisworth Notice Boards
Citizens Advice Bureau – If you are worried about debt, benefits, housing or anything else – Drop in to see an advisor at the Towcester Foodbank every Tuesday 12-2pm. Citizens Advice & Food bank
Yet more warehousing developments
WE STILL NEED YOU! Parish Councillor Vacancies
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a casual vacancy has occurred in the office of Councillor for the Parish of Blisworth following the resignation of Cllr K. Cooper. Cllr Cooper will continue as our District Councillor.
If you feel you would like to get involved in making decisions about your local community, local issues and make a significant contribution to the area in which you live or work, then this is the position for you! Do you have an interest in your local environment, local transport, local government finances, amenities, planning and housing issues, community events, anti-social behaviour and policing, and want to make a difference then please apply!
- You must be aged 18 years and over, eligible to vote and have lived or worked in the parish of Blisworth for 12 months or more, or within 3 miles of the parish boundary.
- Any elector can identify a potential councillor and nominate candidates for election and have the right to elect a councillor who represents their interests.
- The role of Parish Councillor is unpaid however training and support is provided. If you are interested please contact the Parish Clerk on blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com.
Support to elderly residents
Northamptonshire Age UK provides support to elderly residents with a wide range of services including domestic cleaning, gardening, handy person, carer sittings service, day care at home, information and advice. For more information please call 01604 611200 or email access@ageuknorthants.org.uk or visit www.ageuknorthants.org.uk.
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Grass cutting
Residents with any questions, concerns or issues about grass cutting in the village please could you contact the Clerk of the Parish Council and not the contractors that way we can make sure issues are logged and tracked. Blisworth Parish Council: blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com
Blisworth is a thriving, picturesque village in South Northamptonshire situated 5 miles south of the county town. It has some 900 homes and an estimated population of 1870 (2010 village survey).
The West Coast Railway runs close to Blisworth and the Grand Union Canal passes through the village which extends from the famous Blisworth Tunnel, to the outlying residential areas of Blisworth Arm and Blisworth Park.
Village amenities include a primary school, a village shop with news agency and post office and two local pubs. Many small businesses surround the area, largely in discreet attractive business parks.
Please contact the Clerk for a copy of the signed minutes.