Plans for next 295 homes on huge housing estate on the edge of Northampton recommended for approval

A report prepared for West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) planning committee says councillors should approve the next phase of housing at the Dallington Grange development near Kings Heath.

The application, submitted by Persimmon Homes Midlands, is for the detailed design of 295 homes on part of Phase 2B of the wider development, which sits between Harlestone Firs and Kings Heath.

Councillors are due to make a decision at a planning committee meeting on March 17.

If approved, the site would include a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes. According to the council report, the plans include 20 two-bedroom homes, 109 three-bedroom homes, 133 four-bedroom homes and 13 five-bedroom homes.

Twenty of the properties would be classed as affordable housing. These would be a mix of homes for affordable rent and shared ownership.

The site sits at the northern end of the Dallington Grange development area near the North West Relief Road.

A council spokesman said: “The proposed development would create a high quality and attractive living environment for a new community.

"Overall, therefore, the proposal is considered acceptable and is recommended for approval.”

Kingsthorpe Parish Council has backed the application but wants to see the schools planned for the new community delivered as soon as possible so they are ready for families moving into the area.

Objections were submitted by members of the public. Residents raised concerns about the impact of extra traffic on nearby roads including Mill Lane and routes through Kings Heath. Some also warned the development could create “rat runs” through residential streets and lead to congestion.

If approved, the development would also generate money for local infrastructure through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Using Northampton’s current rate of £73.80 per square metre, the development would generate around £2.7 million. This money can be used by the council to help fund infrastructure such as roads, schools and community facilities. However, the council recently confirmed to this newspaper that millions in developer contributions remain unaccounted for.

The wider Dallington Grange project

Dallington Grange, which covers around 208 hectares of land, is one of the biggest housing developments in the town.

Outline planning permission was granted in 2021 for up to 3,000 homes as part of the major expansion.

The wider project also includes:

• Two primary schools

• A local centre with shops and services

• Around 7.2 hectares of employment land

• Sports pitches and public open space

• New roads including the North West Relief Road

Plans for a new secondary school have since been dropped by the Labour government. The proposed Dallington Park School was expected to provide up to 900 places in the Kings Heath area, starting with 180 in 2027. West Northamptonshire Council said it was told by the Department for Education in December that the £30m project would not go ahead. The school had been planned as part of the Northampton Free School Trust, which also runs Wootton Park School.