BREAKING NEWS: Massive housing development could expand Northampton west by 2,000 homes

A homes developer is scoping out a swathe of land west of Northampton as a possible site for 2,000 homes and up to two schools, planning documents reveal.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th May 2016, 09:30 BST
Updated 11th May 2016, 10:32 BST
Scoping plans for 2,000 homes to the west of Duston have been submitted - but Northampton Borough Council will act only as a consultee when a decision on whether to grant them is made. Application area is outlined in red.Scoping plans for 2,000 homes to the west of Duston have been submitted - but Northampton Borough Council will act only as a consultee when a decision on whether to grant them is made. Application area is outlined in red.
Scoping plans for 2,000 homes to the west of Duston have been submitted - but Northampton Borough Council will act only as a consultee when a decision on whether to grant them is made. Application area is outlined in red.

Bloor Homes has written to the planning departments of Northampton Borough Council, Daventry District Council and South Northants Council with early stage plans to develop a two kilometre by one kilometre site off Sandy Lane - bordering Duston.

The 220 acre plans would take 18 years to build and cover a stretch of farm land at the western edge of Northampton’s urban area.

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However, despite their proximity to Northampton, the area falls within both Daventry and South Northamptonshire borders, so Northampton Borough Council will only act as a consultee on the eventual full planning application.

Scoping plans for 2,000 homes to the west of Duston have been submitted.Scoping plans for 2,000 homes to the west of Duston have been submitted.
Scoping plans for 2,000 homes to the west of Duston have been submitted.

Strategic planning director for Bloor Homes, David Joseph, said: “We have recently submitted an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping request to Daventry District and South Northamptonshire Councils for land in several ownerships west of Duston.

“The 88 hectare site has been allocated for development in the adopted West Northampton Joint Core Strategy and has the potential to deliver approximately 2,000 much-needed new homes, a primary school and other facilities which will benefit both new and existing residents.

“The scoping request ensures that we prepare suitable assessments ahead of submitting a planning application for the site, which we aim to do by late summer.”

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White Peak Planning, which has produced the scoping application on behalf of Bloor Homes, says early studies of the land show bat roosts and badger setts have been identified there.

Scoping plans for 2,000 homes to the west of Duston have been submitted.Scoping plans for 2,000 homes to the west of Duston have been submitted.
Scoping plans for 2,000 homes to the west of Duston have been submitted.

The planners note that any housing development could increase the flow of Dallington Brook, which is known to flood.

Currently the land is occupied by two farms: Fleetland Farm and Heath Farm.

The scoping application states: “The proposed development has potential for both adverse and beneficial effects on landscape character and views across the site.

“There will be effects on the landscape character and features within the site due to the transition from agricultural use to a residential development.”

Related topics:NorthamptonSouth Northamptonshire