Government blocks plans for 9,000 homes on the edge of Northampton
Housing developers have been dealt a major blow after plans to build more than 9,000 new homes on land between Daventry and Northampton were blocked by the Government.
The three schemes would have seen the size of Daventry almost double, with the town spreading east towards Long Buckby and Northampton.
But following a Government investigation into the scheme, which began in September 2008, planning permission has been granted for just 1,000 of the 10,150 proposed new homes.
The Government decision to block two of the proposed development sites came after inspectors warned the new developments would have a negative impact on both the countryside and the setting of the Borough Hill ancient monument.
The move has been welcomed by anti-expansion campaigners.
Roger Kingston, from the Northants Residents' Alliance, said: "It's quite impressive for the Government. In the four or five years we've been fighting this, we've never known them say no to anything, so this is a welcome departure."
The three developments would have seen 5,150 houses built on a site north of the A45 in a development known as Danetree Village, 1,000 houses in an area called Monksmoor in Welton Lane, Daventry and 4,000 houses in Long Buckby Road, close to Long Buckby, but only the Monksmoor scheme has been allowed.
Daventry District Council's managing director, Ian Vincent, said the Government decision backed the council's original stance against the two larger developments.
He said: "We're very pleased with the Secretary of State's decision. The council has said all along that it wants a planned approach to the growth of Daventry, rather than it being developer-led.
"That means we wanted to make sure any new homes at any site, including Monksmoor, had the right jobs, schools, roads, transport and shops.
"We were required to defend this position at the public inquiry and our stance was upheld."
As well as new houses, the Monksmoor development will include a new primary school, a community centre and an extension to Daventry Country Park.
Peter Mawson, who is chief executive of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation, which the Government set up to push forward the area's expansion, said: "This decision is excellent news for Daventry and is an important step in the long term regeneration and growth of the town.
"The Monksmoor development will deliver 1,000 high quality homes, while securing around 15 million in developer contributions to infrastructure.
"Both the WNDC and Daventry District Council agreed this is a suitable location for new development, and will integrate well with the existing community."
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