A Conservation Area (CA) has been proposed for part of the park to help protect it from nearby development after consultants deemed the reservoir and the land leading up to the Grand Union Canal to have a historical nature.

Speaking at a strategy meeting of Daventry District Council (DDC) last Thursday councillor Ken Melling said: “This is good news for Daventry. We should shout loud and clear that we are totally committed to the Country Park. We want to preserve, conserve and protect it.”

Earlier this year a detailed study was carried out to advise on the suitability of designating the Country Park as an area of conservation.

The final report confirms that the reservoir retains sufficient ‘special architectural or historic interest’ to merit designation, ideally as an extension to the existing Grand Union/Oxford Canal Conservation Area.

However, a large section of the park backing onto Northern Way and the fields to the east have not been included in the proposed area because they don’t have sufficient historical interest.

Councillors think the fields to the east of the park – where a developer is hoping to build the 4,000 home Church Fields development – needs protecting further and hope the CA can be widened.

Councillor Janet McCarthy said: “When you walk round the park you realise how threatened that eastern side is. I’m concerned for the future. We really need to protect the reservoir and its views from development.”

Samantha Webb, chairman of the Friends of the Country Park, added: “Everything should be protected. All of it is of equal importance to the park.”

In May last year the district council gave the Country Park Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status, which protects the wildlife and landscapes in the majority of the 14-acre site from harm.

If the CA was agreed, DDC would have extra control over demolition, minor development and the protection of trees.

Councillor Wendy Amos said: “We want to enhance the park and not spoil it in anyway. Maybe the Conservation Area can be expanded.”

A period of consultation with the public and stakeholders will now take place and the issue will be discussed by the district council again later this year.