Northampton residents question why development works for 1,400 homes will go ahead on farmland and not unused sites

The site of Upton Lodge Farm in Weedon Road, Upton, has been contested by nearby residents who say that the development should have been built on the former St Crispin’s Hospital as opposed to farmland.

The site will also play host to community facilities upon completion.

One resident said she and her husband believed the idea of a secondary school had been brushed under the carpet.

In a planning representation, she had written: “There seem to be no provisions for an extra secondary school.

“The secondary schools within the vicinity are already beyond capacity and have no means of supporting more pupils.”

As well as this, she raised concerns over congested roads in the area.

“Traffic management and local roads have become more congested from recent development work, which would only be made worse by the addition of 1400 homes,” she said.

She questioned developers further and added: “Why are you not building on the old site of St Crispins or the two undeveloped sites within Upton before considering building on a farm land?

“Both the sites on Upton which are currently undeveloped would improve greatly with the addition of houses on them. The old St Crispins site is extensive and could house numerous apartments.”

Another resident had written: “While I appreciate development is needed in Northampton, I contest this development for the following reasons.

“The roads can't cope with current resident numbers let alone anymore.Why developers building on farmland, which makes this community area so family friendly when the old St Crispins hospital site is still not developed on?”

A decision on the application will be made later this year.