Three Northamptonshire locations to receive government funding to improve the areas
Residents will get the chance to decide on investment for areas in Corby, Wellingborough and Kettering who will get £2 million every year for a decade.
Last updated 26th Sep 2025
A local MP has been reacting to the news that three areas of Northamptonshire are to receive cash from the Prime Minister's Pride in Place investment.
The Government has announced funding of up to £5 billion to revive high streets, parks and public spaces.
The investment aims to support people across 339 neighbourhoods to lead the renewal in their local areas as part of the Government's new Pride in Place programme.
As part of the fund, 169 areas will receive £2 million every year for a decade to give them certainty when planning for the future, totalling £3.5 billion.
They've been named as Corby Kingswood, Queensway in Wellingborough, and Kettering Avondale Grange.
This is on top of an existing commitment to 75 areas, costing £1.5 billion.
Separately, a further 95 areas will receive an immediate £1.5 million cash injection to upgrade public spaces with new green spaces, play areas and sports and leisure facilities.
When asked what the money should be spent on the MP for Corby Lee Barron said it will be down to local residents and not 'people in darkened rooms making decisions' that decide where the funding will go:
"Genuinely that's not for people like me to say. I mean, there's a number of areas that they can look at. I mean, I want to work, we want to work with schools, with younger people, with communities, community groups, we'll be doing surveys.
"You know, this really will be something that the local communities can buy into, can shape and can then see and witness the improvements that makes and what we're going to be are the facilitators to make sure that it happens."
In Corby area's like Hazel Leys, Kingswood, and the Exeter Estate will benefit from the money.
Gen Kitchen, MP for Wellingborough & Rushden, said:
“I’ve been fighting hard for investment in the constituency, so I’m thrilled that this hard work has paid off. Places like Queensway were neglected by the last government, now Labour is delivering for local people and giving them the chance to steer how the money is spent. I can’t wait for us to get started on this!”
Meanwhile Kettering MP Rosie Wrighting said:
“This is a major victory for our area. I fought to secure this funding, but the decisions about how it is used must come from the people who live here.
"I will keep standing up for Avondale Grange so every penny delivers for our community.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised that local people "with real skin in the game" will decide how this funding is spent.
Communities will also be given new powers to save local pubs and libraries, and block unwanted betting and vape shops, as well as fake barbers.
Councils will be given the opportunity to seize derelict buildings and boarded-up shops under Community Right to Buy and compulsory purchase powers.
Sir Keir said: "For too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline - powerless to stop boarded-up shops and neglected parks. That ends now.
"We're investing in the UK's future, by backing the true patriots that build our communities up in neighbourhoods across every corner of the country. Because it's people who bring pride, hope and life to our communities.
"This is a huge investment, but what matters most is who decides how it's spent: the neighbours, volunteers and parents who know their communities best - the people with real skin in the game.
"We're choosing renewal over decline, unity over division. This is our plan for change in action - giving power and pride back to the people who make Britain great."
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed said: "Building pride in place starts with people, not politics.
"Local people know what they want to see in their neighbourhoods - and they don't need government to dictate it.
"This plan will spark an historic grassroots movement that will restore local people's power, boost national pride and help people get on in life across the UK as part of our plan for change."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "We're giving local people the power to transform their home towns.
"Giving them more control of how money is spent where they live so that together we can invest in Britain's renewal and build an economy that rewards working people.
"This £5 billion investment doesn't just reverse decades of underinvestment in our public infrastructure - it cuts through the bureaucracy by giving local people the power to deliver the change they want to see."