South Northamptonshire Council's development control committee discussed the plans for the proposed Towcester Vale development at its meeting held yesterday.

But despite passing a recommendation which said the authority did not object in principle to the development, councillors agreed to reserve the right to comment on the plans at a later date.

Councillor Diane Dallyn (Con, Towcester Brooke) said: "We will need to be able to have a requirement to consider these plans at a future date.

"The plans have not been received with outright hostility, rather there's an acceptance (the development] is needed.

"Any extension to Towcester must be an asset in every sense of the word and we need to revisit the plans in light of the concerns."

The Towcester Vale application has been made by Persimmon Homes to build up to 3,000 homes as well as a single-carriageway bypass, local centre, education and community facilities, access, parking, open space and landscaping.

While South Northamptonshire Council acts as a consultee, the final decision will be made by the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC). The meeting heard there had been more than 150 consultee responses to the plans.

Councillors agreed they wanted an inclusion for special educational needs within the plans, alongside the need for a multi-use games area for youngsters.

Their recommendation also highlighted areas of inconsistencies within the planning application, such as population data.

Council officer Michael Amor said: "We want to recommend to the WNDC that they include... the requirement for the road to be completed within two years."

Mr Amor told councillors their request to be consulted on any amendments to the scheme, and that they reserved the right to make further comments on any amendments, was the most important part of their submission to the WNDC.

No date has been given for a final decision to be made but it was suggested it could go before the WNDC in December.