County's firm 'no' to concrete jungle
Members of Northamptonshire County Council have overwhelmingly opposed plans which could see more than 40,000 new houses built around the edges of Northampton, Daventry and Towcester.
Members of the public packed into both County Hall, in the centre of Northampton, and the neighbouring Sessions House building yesterday to hear councillors discuss the plans.
And after almost three hours of debate, 100 per cent of the councillors who took part in the vote expressed their unanimous opposition to the housing scheme.
Their vote came after residents of villages from across the area pleaded with them to oppose the development proposals.
Hunsbury resident Rod Sellers asked councillors: "Do we really need another 42,000 houses? I know sometimes we have to accept things if they're for the greater good, but this seems nothing but bad for Northamptonshire.
"And there are few people, apart from those in the development industry, who support this."
He was backed by Mary Burke, from Harpole, who added: "Harpole is a very nice place to live at the moment, but under these plans our beautiful village would become part of an horrific urban sprawl."
The debate concentrated on proposals issued by the West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit (JPU), which were published in June this year.
The group, which is made up of councillors from across Northampton, Daventry and Towcester, drew up the plans for possible development over the next 15 to 20 years in response to Government housing targets.
The proposals include the suggestion that 18,000 homes could be built on land between Grange Park, Wootton and Little Houghton, an extra 5,663 between Moulton and Overstone, 2,200 on the edge of Collingtree, 6,900 on the edge of Duston, more than 5,300 houses around Daventry and almost 5,000 in South Northamptonshire.
Responding to residents, Councillor Michael Clarke (Con, Hackleton) evoked the memory of Churchill when describing how the county council should oppose the proposals.
He said: "People didn't vote for us to destroy the environment they treasure.
"And these proposals would concrete over practically every parish I represent. We have to say that saying 'no' to these proposals is an option and add that we'll fight them in the village halls, we'll fight them in the fields, we'll fight them in the council chamber and in Parliament – until they're consigned to the dustbin where they belong."
After hearing residents' and councillors' concerns, Councillor Chris Millar (Con, Brixworth), who is also deputy chairman of the JPU, insisted they would be listened to.
He said: "I understand exactly where people are coming from and the fact they're not happy, and I can say all their feedback will be taken on board."
The county council's cabinet will discuss the expansion plans again on October 13. The JPU's plans are expected to be submitted to the Government, either at the end of this year or early next year.
A full public inquiry is then due to be held next summer.
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