Protesters ready for second battle as Buckton Fields plans go back to council next month
PEOPLE who live on the northern edge of Northampton have said they are gearing up again to fight a controversial housing development, despite thinking they had won the battle just two months ago.
During a meeting in July, members of Daventry District Council’s planning committee turned down plans to build 1,050 houses at Buckton Fields in Brampton Lane, Whitehills.
But earlier this month, Gloucestershire-based developers, The Ensign Group, re-submitted the plans.
Last night, residents of Boughton, which is close to the development site, packed out their village hall to discuss plans to oppose the development.
The meeting was chaired by Boughton Parish Council chairman, John Clarke.
He said: “A lot of people are confused about the application coming around again so soon. But nothing has changed from last time and I’m sure people are just as keen to fight it.
“We see no reason why it shouldn’t be turned down again.”
During the public meeting, residents expressed concern about the impact the development would have on traffic and fears that it would swamp Boughton village.
Parish council member, Richard Greener, who is also an estate agent in Northampton, said: “If this went ahead, it would triple the size of Boughton, which would bring about huge resentment.
“It would change the face of this side of Northampton forever.
“It wouldn’t be something that would just be forgotten about. Our lives would be changed.”
He was backed by Angela Bartlett from the Whitehills and Spring Park Residents’ Association, which is also opposing the scheme.
She said: “People are still very worried, because if this happens, we will lose our identity as a rural area of Northamptonshire.”
Proposals to build on the Buckton Fields site have been on the cards for more than two decades.
The latest plans will be discussed again tonight during a meeting at The Pastures in Welford Road, Kingsthorpe from 7pm.
Daventry District Council’s planning committee will then make a decision on whether or not the development plans should be allowed during a meeting at their headquarters in Daventry on Thursday, October 20.
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Comments
There are 15 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
MrPowell
Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 08:04 PMLady Muck-I'm not saying that a ring road would not be a good idea, I would support it. I just don't think, as someone who experiences the huge traffic problems that exist in that area on a regular basis, that it would significantly reduce the flow travelling in and out of Kingsthorpe,especially if we added 1,000+ new houses. In fact I think that if the proposal to complete the ring road were to go ahead first, it would just encourage developers to make further applications. Thus defeating the object.
lady muck
Friday, September 23, 2011 at 06:40 PMMrPowell..why would a ring road not stop the increased traffic flow...where is all the traffic going...it can't all be going to the Grosvenor Centre Car Park and the offices in town are running down ?
MrPowell
Friday, September 23, 2011 at 12:51 AMI answer to the Count- I do indeed campaign for much improved infrastructure all the time,it's part of what I do. I simply do not agree that we need so many new houses all at once, and certainly not where they are going to cause a problem. DDC have lost the plot regarding re: houses and do not seem to be clear about what they want or need. At one time the leader of DDC said he wanted Davenrty itself to grow to 40,000 people.I so, build all the extra houses there and put in the extra services and amenities to serve them. It's time they updated their Local Plan or else they will be steamrollered by this governments' proposals to make development easier. This is not the only proposed large development in the vicinity either. Even building a ring road would not stop the massive increase in traffic trying to get into town via the Harborough Road. Time to stop banging on about NIMBYISM.We all know Northampton is due to expand, but the right locations have to be utilised and this is not one of them.
sparky73
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 09:49 PMDear Count, do you live on the 'Kingsthorpe corridor' I think not. These proposed houses will add thousands of cars to a part of Northamptons road network that cannot cope at the moment. The roads from Whitehills through the Cock Hotel Junction currently operates at 130% capacity. This is according to Ensign the developers. The roadworks currently taking place will reduce this by 10-20%. Does that seem like appropriate infrastructure? Daventry refused the application as infrastructure is not in place, when the development was first muted the idea was to have a ring road to the North of the town. This has never been built the judgement was that it should be in place for the development to be built. If you truly know Northampton you will know that the proposed park and ride on the Welford Road is almost pointless and NCC highways have said bus services will only be subsidised for a limited period and if it is not working then they will be withdrawn, leaving a lovely big car park. Northampton Borough Council have said and continue to say that this development is not appropriate, and not needed. These were all issues raised at the last planning meeting. Development is needed but in a sustainable manner, if not we will end up with more developments like the monstrosity that is Grange Park. Instead of saying that every objection is Nimbyism maybe treat each story you read individually on its own merits. I have to say I agree about the plots of land for individuals it would make for a much more interesting landscape.
TheCount
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 04:31 PMTime we had an open building policy, the council needs to sell off plots to individuals and let them build decent houses they want to live in. The planning laws in this country are so open to abuse, by a NIMBY types that the only solution is a fair open free for all for the actuall people. Look at how beautiful England was before the planners got a hold of it. The NIMBYs are probably worried about their house prices and their own happiness. Thankfully house prices are tumbling and with the Eurozone economic crisis gaining steam as I type then the new reality, the REAL credit crunch, should see big falls in their house prices, much higher than any new development might cause. This might shut them up and they might welcome jobs for people, more infrastructure, affordable houses for their children etc etc etc.
TheCount
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 01:55 PMMrPowell - Standard NIMBY rhetoric. If the likes of this "but more about slapping hundreds of houses in an area which will primarily cause more traffic chaos than already exists in that area" - Why aren't you campaigning for more houses and improved infra-structure ?
Clever Dick
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 01:37 PMThat is exactly what should happen Lady M. Grange Park, Buckton Fields and any other area of development which is geographically part of Northampton should be brought into the Borough - as was the custom in years gone by. What is happening at the moment is that adjoining councils (particularly South Northants and Daventry) are only to happy to allow these development when they know that they will be receiving council tax income from them but will not actually have to provide the resources and infrastructure to support them. It is Northampton Borough Council and it's tax payers who will pick up the tab, so it is only right that they should be incorporated into it's area. I wouldn't hold your breath though. That would require an Act of Parliament and that will only happen if all of the affected local authorities and MPs agree - and what are the chances of that?
HrolfK
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 01:34 PMThe Boundary Commission have no powers to look into the borough boundary unless asked to do so by the local council. They have never been asked. For many years there have been cul-de-sacs in the town where the first houses are in Northampton the rest outside the boroughs control. Such anomalies are supposed to be corrected, and it would be easy to do so. But no one has bothered. It would be logical when this eventually happens to include a hinterland beyond current development made up of all the fields currently owned by the Homes & Communities Agency (ie the government) that will eventually be developed. However, local councils would rather such decisions were made by others so they can explain to their constituents they were alongside them fighting, and isn't it a shame, now excuse me I have to garner votes in the new area by saying what a lovely view it has. That is why the WNDC exists and was never vigorously fought.
lady muck
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 01:14 PMwilli eckaslyke...as you will see, for once, you are incorrect and Clever Dick (my new bf) has come to my rescue with a clear explanation. I now how have a secondary question...as the Borough of Northampton expands, surely all these new developments which adjoin the town, should be re-designated as part of the Borough. As others have pointed out, the weight of traffic and services will fall mainly on the Borough.
Clever Dick
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 10:58 AMEasy Lady m. Northamptonshire is divided into seven districts for local government purposes. The only truly 'urban' district is the Borough of Northampton - the rest cover vast swathes of rural parts of the county and Daventry is one of them - they are generally named for the area of the county they cover (i.e. South Northants OR the main town in the area i.e. Daventry) but this does not infer that the local government area only covers that town. It so happens that the boundary between Northampton Borough and Daventry District in this location runs between Buckton Fields and the built up area of Whitehills. However you divide anything up there is not really a perfect answer - you will always get apparent anomalies like this. By definition there has to be a border drawn somewhere. To address MrPowell's point, I am well aware that this area falls into Daventry District - Angela Bartlett's point was that Whitehills and Spring Park were 'rural areas' -which clearly they are not.
MrPowell
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 10:21 AMThis NIMBY argument needs knocking on the head. Firstly it is not about anyone's backyard, but more about slapping hundreds of houses in an area which will primarily cause more traffic chaos than already exists in that area. Secondly, the area is part of Boughton parish, not Northampton Borough. Any revenue accrued as a result would go to DDC not NBC, but Northampton would have to bear the brunt of the problems it would cause. Also, it is a sop to those who still believe Daventry District, and Northamptonshire as a whole needs thousands more houses all at once. Why ? And who for ? Or are we not allowed to mention why the population is increasing so rapidly. Have any of those who seek to ridicule the protestors here actually thought who actually needs more houses ? Young single people and couples do not need, nor can they afford the kind of houses planned.Most work in relatively low-paid jobs and probably cannot afford to run a car in addition to the high cost of housing. Most seem to prefer flats and they are best built within reasonable walking distance of the town centre. Families may want the type of houses planned, but a cursory glance at any of our local papers' property sections will show that there are always loads of properties for sale or rent. The whole point here is that NCC want to sell the land off for profit and an opportunist developer seeks to make as much profit as possible with no concern for the problems it would create for the existing population.Then they would just move on and blight someone else.
TheCount
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 09:53 AMWhere are people going to live ? Not Im My Back Yard...The .selfish greddy NIMBY idiots should take a long hard look at themselves.
willi eckaslyke
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 09:52 AMlady m...you are probably no less expert than those that run things and it's most unlikely that there is anyone able to explain it to you.
lady muck
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 08:50 AMAm I the only person who thinks it is incomprehensible that Daventry is in charge of land on the edge of Northampton ? I'm cernaiinly no expert on local government etc, but could somebody please explain this apparent anomaly to me ?
Clever Dick
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 08:34 AMAngela Bartlett needs to get a reality check. "our identity as a rural area of Northamptonshire". What a load of tosh. SInce when has Whitehills and Spring Park been 'rural'? They are just another area of Northampton the same as Abington, Far Cotton or St James. Talk about delusions of grandeur. There may be arguments against this development but this is not one of them.
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