Plan to build two shops by Northampton's Billing Aquadrome approved - but with no one ready to move in

A spare scrap of land next to the lake in Billing has been approved to become two shops after a year-long fight by its developers.

Two small units are set to be built on a spare area of land off The Causeway close to the car park for the Oriental Paradise restaurant and the Billing Garden Village.

The plans say the units could be used for "shops, restaurant, hot food takeaway and leisure" - but does not specify if anyone is set to move into them when they are built.

It comes after early plans were first put to the council in March 2019 but has taken a year to be approved because they had to be redesigned in the face of flooding concerns.

However, nearby businesses strongly opposed the two new shops out of concern it would only add to parking troubles in the area.

Another letter of objection sent to the council said the land was a popular spot for feeding wildlife and would spoil the view of the lake.