Country park plan moves forward

A new regional country park will soon be opened in Northamptonshire after a vital stretch of land was secured by the county council.

Chester Farm - a 100 acre site next to Irchester Country Park, Wellingborough - has been bought for £900,000.

The land, which contains a buried Roman town, will be used to form the central part of a £1.5m scheme called River Nene Regional Country Park.

Plans for the regional park were given financial support by the government.

Medieval village

Council cabinet member for finance, Les Patterson, said the new park would help strike a balance between new houses and green spaces.

He said: "I am pleased we are now in a position to purchase this 100-acre piece of land which is already recognised as an important heritage site and includes within it a buried Roman town and deserted medieval village.

"By purchasing this land we are not only securing the long term future of this unique landscape but also can make it available for the public for educational and recreational use."

A variety of options will now be explored by the council to determine how the land will be developed as a park.