Controversial bid to build up to 76 homes on edge of Northamptonshire village recommended for refusal

A controversial proposal to build up to 76 homes on the outskirts of a Northamptonshire village has been recommended for refusal by a council planning officer.

South Northamptonshire Council has advised its planning committee to reject Davidsons Homes' application to develop the land in Greens Norton ahead of a meeting next week.

Greens Norton Parish Council and 66 residents have publicly objected to the scheme for numerous reasons but the developers believe it would benefit the village.

Explaining the recommendation, the council report says: "The principle of development of this scale and outside the settlement confines of Greens Norton is contrary to the adopted development plan.

"[And] the impacts of development on local infrastructure cannot be appropriately mitigated in the absence of a completed s106 legal agreement."

Half of the homes in Davidsons' scheme off Mill Lane would be affordable while there will also be a mix of one-five bedroom properties, including bungalows.

There would also be a publicly-accessible open space including a play area and a foul sewerage pumping station.

The parish council claimed the plan would have an unacceptable impact on traffic, the landscape, footpath users and archaeology.

An area of archaeological interest covers a large part of the 3.9-hectare site, relating to a possible prehistoric and Romano-British settlement.

The potential lack of affordable housing and identified need for affordable housing in Greens Norton were also cited as reasons for objection. No other consultee raised objections.

Bidwell's statement supporting the application claims the council cannot prove a five-year supply of homes but the local authority report said this is not true.

"The applicant's vision for the site is a high-quality environment in which to live, work and play for a broad range of ages," the document also says.

"The following key design principles for development of the site have been established: a high quality residential environment, which embraces sustainable principles and provides a variety of housing types; a development which draws upon the best examples of local distinctiveness and character creating an appealing place to live; [and] a layout which maximises accessibility for all, by considering the needs and requirements of people both now and in the future."

Planning committee members will judge the application on Thursday (February 4).