Residents 'ready to fight' Reform's plans to allocate part of a Northampton golf course for 300 homes

Conservative councillor Pinder Chauhan has criticised plans that could see around 300 homes built on land at Collingtree Park Golf Club as part of the draft Local Plan from the Reform-led West Northamptonshire Council (WNC).

The proposals, currently out for consultation, identify land at the golf course as a potential housing allocation as part of wider development plans across the area up to 2043.

Speaking to Chronicle and Echo, councillor Chauhan said: “Over 300 residents showed up at a meeting last week to fight against the golf course. Myself, the parish council and golf club are working together against it.”

"This proposal should never have reached this stage. For residents in Collingtree, the golf club is the heart of the community, it’s where local events are held, where I run my councillor surgeries, and where the parish council meets regularly. Two significant parts of the golf course are now being consulted on for inclusion in the local plan. If this land is allocated, it will inevitably lead to housing being built on the course and the golf club as we know it will be lost.

“These valued local amenities deserve protection, as does the wildlife that thrives within the grounds.

“I’m not a NIMBY [which stands for Not In My Back Yard]. We absolutely need more housing, but it must come with the right transport and health infrastructure. Planners need to think strategically and work towards a new settlement, rather than building on top of existing villages and eroding our green spaces. We should be creating well-connected communities with access to schools, footpaths, cycle routes, and essential services.

“I will be fighting this proposal. I have written to Mark Arnull [leader of WNC] and Mike Reader MP so we can work together on a constructive solution. I also spoke with Mark Arnull this weekend, and we will be meeting soon to discuss this further.”

The golf club has already launched a campaign urging residents to object to the proposals after the draft plan was published in February.

Posting to members and residents, the club recently said: “WE NEED YOUR HELP. At this early consultation stage, there is still time to challenge and remove this land from consideration.”

A spokesman for WNC said the plans are still at an early stage. The council spokesman said: “WNC is currently consulting on the new draft local plan, which sets out how the area could grow and develop up to 2043.

“This is an early stage in the plan-making process and no decisions have yet been made. All comments submitted during the consultation will be reviewed and used to shape the next version of the Plan before it progresses later this year.”

Residents can comment on the draft Local Plan consultation until March 27, 2026.

Councillor Arnull and Mike Reader MP have both been contacted for comment.

A similar story is also developing in Harlestone, as hundreds of residents are fighting plans to allocate a green wedge next to Harlestone Firs for hundreds of homes.