Last year I wrote to the Government on behalf of the University of Northampton asking Ministers to
support the relocation of the University to the Waterside Enterprise Zone.
Last week HM Treasury allowed me to break the great news that the Government have now agreed to secure almost £300 million to fund the University of Northampton’s new Waterside campus in the town centre. Building is expected to begin next year and finish in 2018.
This huge relocation project for the University will enable them to construct first class, state-of-the-art facilities and offer their students a world class campus, a walking distance from the town centre. For the town it will bring greater footfall of trade and custom.
I have been working to persuade the Government to support the funding of this exciting new project for some time now and I am absolutely delighted that Northampton is yet again being highlighted for investment. It is another sign of the confidence people are putting in the optimistic regeneration of our town and shows Northampton is going from strength to strength.
Last Friday I spent most of the day meeting students and staff when I visited the University of Northampton.
I met with a group of Dementia specialists and spoke to a seminar on dementia about my support for ways in which Government, groups and individuals can combat this degenerative illness. The event was organised by the University’s Institute for Health & Wellbeing. Dementia is an issue which will only grow more prominent as medical advances mean that our population gets older.
I then met with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Nick Petford, and members of the University Management Team where we discussed the University’s plans and I saw a presentation about the relocation.
After Lunch I met with first year Law students where I delivered a short lecture and took questions on constitutional issues, including parliamentary sovereignty, judicial activism and English Votes for English Laws.