Brixworth-based developer Barry Howard Homes, together with national house builder Bovis Homes, have applied to build more than 200 houses on an allotment near Towcester Road, Far Cotton.

After initial plans caused concern, the developers reduced the number of houses from 241 to 230.

But Northampton Borough Council's planning committee has maintained "strong objections" to the scheme following fears about the amount of open space there would be in the development.

After hearing from local residents that the 1.7 acres of open space earmarked for the site was not "half what was needed", Councillor Richard Church (Lib Dem, Kingsthorpe) said he had serious concerns about the proposals.

He said: "To me, the development looks extremely land-locked. It's surrounded by existing developments with no way to walk from one to the other.

"It's a nonsense that if you lived at the top end of the development, the distance you'd have to walk to visit your neighbours on the next-door development would be miles. That's not the way to build communities."

Fellow planning committee member Councillor Scott Collins (Lib Dem, Eastfield) also raised concern about the amount of open space.

Criticising a suggestion the developer could give £60,000 to enhance open spaces in other parts of the town, he added: "I think the £60,000 thing is ludicrous.

"It's all very well having money spent elsewhere, but if the children can't play outside, then having this money spent half a mile down the road isn't going to help them at all."

Barry Howard Homes has insisted the development will be innovative and cutting edge.

A final decision on the scheme will be made by the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) later this year, but Northampton Borough Council has passed on its strong objections.