DCSIMG

Council's 'No' to 42,000 houses


Published on Tuesday 13 October 2009 17:58

Plans to build 42,000 houses in Northamptonshire have been overwhelmingly rejected in their current form by Northamptonshire County Council.

The county council's cabinet yesterday gave its official response to proposals which would see the development of the west of Northamptonshire until at least 2026, including 18,000 homes to the south east of Northampton.

Several county councillors at the meeting cited a public debate last week where landowners and other villagers aired concerns about the growth plans.

Councillor Heather Smith, county council cabinet member for environment, growth and transport, said she agreed the proposals could not be supported as they stood.

She said:"We need to get the plans right but based on clear justification, evidence and public support.

"Furthermore we need to be confident the infrastructure and service needs to support these plans, both for the existing population and for those people moving into the area, will be delivered in line with the housing growth and not be seen in future as promises not fulfilled."

A report said concerns about the proposed houses, also planned for the Daventry and Brackley areas, included the impact on villages and greenfield sites, whether there would be enough investment for infrastructure, the risk of flooding and the need for ongoing consultation with residents.

Gary Holt, who lives in Quinton, which would be in the path of the housing scheme, and who is a member of Quinton Action Group, yesterday said: "There's obviously a long way still to go but this is a huge boost. I realise the houses have to go somewhere but this plan is fundamentally flawed and would have effects on everything from wildlife to floodplain land."

Councillor Smith also announced the Joint Strategic Planning Committee would review the timetable to make sure issues are fully addressed.

She said the plans would now go to a fuller consultation which she predicted would not be concluded "this side of the general election".

She added: "This is a process that cannot be rushed. We need to allow as much time as required to ensure that these long-term plans are sound when they come to be tested by the independent planning inspector and have been thoroughly consulted on with the people of Northamptonshire."

Speaking after the meeting, Northampton South MP Brian Binley said: "This (decision] is a result of local people working together to oppose a massive explosion in housing development over the next 20 years which was not based on sound evidence or offering the essential funds for infrastructure. The debate crystallised public opinion and leaves the JPU planners in no doubt that their plans were wholly unacceptable."


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