Grange Park, Northampton

Jibjab_2

Firstly thanks to everyone who replied to my Nice areas of/ around Northampton thread.

We have found a house we like in Grange Park and really like the area walking round it. However I do have a couple of concerns and wondered if anyone could help me out.

1 - I've read alot saying traffic is very bad here getting on/off M1 at peak times, is it really bad or are people exaggerating ? I think queuing for 10 mins to get onto M1 would be fine, or is it much longer than this?

2 - are the doctors, dentists and school, taking no new people at this time? Although the school places won't affect us as we have no children I can see that a lack of school places could reduce the desirability of the place in the future, and it would be a pain to have to travel for docs/dentist

3 - nearby planning applications. I've seen a few different plans for the development of the site where Ikea was going to be, although some have been rejected I feel at some point, something will be built here. If its industrial is that likely to reduce the desirability of Grange Park or is it big enough that it probably won't affect it that much. If its residential with no new ammenties surely this will reduce the desirability?

I guess what I'm worried about is the future, my investment. I know at one point Grange Park was very well thought of and had alot of high earners commuting to London, but is it generally thought of as a place that is/ will be in decline? Somewhere people will no longer pay a premium to live.

I'm not local so just looking for some information/ opinions from people who live/d there or in Northampton

Many Thanks!

RedfordML

"1 - I've read alot saying traffic is very bad here getting on/off M1 at peak times, is it really bad or are people exaggerating? I think queuing for 10 mins to get onto M1 would be fine, or is it much longer than this?"

Mate of mine lives in Northampton and travels to MK via M1 can take him upto an hour, even longer on occasions due to M1 being congested and getting off!!

Jibjab_2

RedfordML wrote: »

"1 - I've read alot saying traffic is very bad here getting on/off M1 at peak times, is it really bad or are people exaggerating? I think queuing for 10 mins to get onto M1 would be fine, or is it much longer than this?"

Mate of mine lives in Northampton and travels to MK via M1 can take him upto an hour, even longer on occasions due to M1 being congested and getting off!!

seems quite a long drive for something that take 25min? non peak, is the A508 way any better?

hellokitty08

hello,

1 - I've read alot saying traffic is very bad here getting on/off M1 at peak times, is it really bad or are people exaggerating? I think queuing for 10 mins to get onto M1 would be fine, or is it much longer than this?

I cant remember where you said you where moving form, but would you perhaps be able to try travelling around this area at that time yourself? Personally living near to a main junction on a Motorway would have its problems, just depends if you are going to have to go this route to work in the morning. There are other exit points from grange park.

2 - are the doctors, dentists and school, taking no new people at this time? Although the school places won't affect us as we have no children I can see that a lack of school places could reduce the desirability of the place in the future, and it would be a pain to have to travel for docs/dentist

Google and phone them (some even have the info online)

3 - nearby planning applications. I've seen a few different plans for the development of the site where Ikea was going to be, although some have been rejected I feel at some point, something will be built here. If its industrial is that likely to reduce the desirability of Grange Park or is it big enough that it probably won't affect it that much. If its residential with no new ammenties surely this will reduce the desirability?

There is going to be ongoing development wherever you buy in Northampton, well thats my opion anyway!

At the end of the day if you like the house I say go for it, its going to be your home so if you enjoy it do it.

Brallaqueen

As someone who was born and bred in Northampton, Grange Park would not be my first choice for living. The planning was poorly designed leaving it very crowded, and it's on the edge of the M1 so full of commuters, cars and general rush hour problems.

Jibjab_2

hellokitty08 i think you maybe right about there being development anywhere in northampton, i guess i'm just worried all sides of grange park could be swallowed up by industrial units