Neighbours of Northampton building site where developer did not follow planning permission lodge more than 30 letters of objection

A developer has been told their work is "considered no to be authorised" and must submit new planning permission.

Neighbours have written more than 30 letters of objection to the council after a developer built three houses on a Northampton site different to what they said they would do in their plans.

The developer was ordered to reapply for planning permission in July after a council investigation ruled their "authorised" houses had strayed too far from what was agreed in its rubber-stamped plans.

It came after a resident complained that three of the six houses on the paddock off Mill Lane were being built too tall, too far forward and with extra windows and rooflights.

But it also means a new consultation had to be opened - and now, neighbours of the Mill Lane development have given the developers both barrels in the form of over 30 letters of objection.

They have leveled their criticisms at developers for "self-righteous" behaviour and for "overriding neighbours' rights."

One resident wrote to the council: "To approve this set of plans would suggest it's acceptable to agree to one thing but to do another. Why have the process at all?"

The application seeks to have the stray construction work retroactively approved so they can continue building.

It has culminated in a letter from the Kingsthorpe Amenity Preservation Group calling on the council to throw out the application.

It reads: "Our members are unanimous in strongly objecting to these further changes.

"The developer is now retrospectively seeking to get approved by NBC Planning to new plans they have prepared 'after the fact' to match the non-compliant houses they knowingly built, marketed and sold.

"The council should absolutely not allow this... It would set a precedent for others [...] to build whatever they like in the knowledge they can present a new applications after the fact... This arrogant and dismissive act of disregard for both planning decisions and the impacts on neighbours is fundamentally wrong."

The consultation ended on September 25.

Work on the site was 'voluntarily paused' in July and has now resumed, but this is reportedly only to make the standing houses watertight.

A recent letter from a senior planning officer says the council will not take enforcement action until an outcome has been reached on the new plans.

The developer could not be reached for comment. A planning statement by an agent on behalf of the developer put to planning reads: "It was clear on [a visit to the site by the agent and two council planning officers] that the front elevations to all three properties had not been built in accordance with the approved planning permission.

"I do consider that the 'STOP' notice relating to [these houses] to be unreasonable.

"Hopefully we will be able to provide you with the further drawings you require in order to validate this application ASAP. We would then request the STOP notice can then be removed and my client will be allowed to continue with the works."