The new development corporation will oversee future economic growth

Four local councils are involved in the establishment of a new urban development corporation and council leaders are welcoming the step.

The district councils involved cover Daventry and South Northamptonshire and they will work alongside Northampton Borough Council and the county council.

Leaders said they believed that membership of the proposed urban development corporation (UDC) will mean key decisions "can be made locally by local people".

Government money

Their statement said: "The UDC will be able to attract additional government money and, with its extra powers, will be able to secure much greater investment and confidence from the private sector.

"It will be able to ensure a more sustainable approach to growth across its area, ensuring that brownfield sites are regenerated and brought into use first - to minimise greenfield loss."

Investment will cover roads, public transport, community facilities and the environment.

The new body will be acting on employment and skills.

Northamptonshire has just secured a further �23m from the government and that is on top of the �36m announced at the end of last year.