Residents still unable to move into Northampton new builds as developer and council in dispute

A housing development of new build homes is unable to be used due to a dispute between the builder and the council.

The Lancaster Way development, of 140 homes, off Towcester Road, in Far Cotton, has been controversial since a proposal was submitted more than ten years ago.Now, the properties are complete, but residents who will all be renting or part of a shared ownership scheme, are unable to move in, despite promised move-in dates.

Northampton Borough Council (NBC) has explained that the hold up has been due to the builder’s failure to provide paperwork, as well as the issues of properties varying from what was granted in the original planning permission, meaning another application process will have to be completed.

The changes to the application include bin storage space, bird and bat box placement and materials used on the outside of the house.

A spokesman for the council said: “This situation arose because the developer, despite advice and numerous warnings over a period stretching back to 2016 when the application was granted, failed to provide the relevant paperwork in a timely fashion.

“This includes the necessary paperwork for the development to be signed off, and a retrospective application after the development was constructed differently than that agreed in the original planning application.

“It would be illegal for us to approve occupation of the development until all of the relevant applications and permissions are dealt with and we will be considering what enforcement action might be appropriate against the developer concerned.”

To accept the new application, which was received last month, the council has to go through the lengthy process, which includes a consultation.

However, the builder - Barry Howard Homes (BHH) - claims that the council is holding up the move-in date by not pushing through the paperwork for the new application.

Barry Howard, director of the building company, said: “In the Autumn of 2019 NBC requested we apply for some amendments and a new permission which was applied for.

“The 2019 Autumn submission had answered all of those technical questions so NBC is in possession of the facts.

“That was deemed not acceptable for the 2012 permission even though they were virtually identical, so we were asked to re-submit items again.

“Our planning consultants, Framptons, started that on July 1 (2020).

“Whilst I accept it is important to our wildlife, a location of a bat and bird box should not be holding up homeless people getting their homes.

“BHH has been emailing and virtually begging the NBC planning officers to sign things off knowing the tenants here are desperately in need of these new homes for rent.

“It’s very frustrating for the families.”

It is not clear how long residents will have to wait until they can move into their new homes, however the planning permission process is a lengthy one.

In the meantime, Barry Howard Homes has said itself and Watermeadow Homes, the company that will act as landlords, are doing ‘everything they can to support families’.

The council has also offered advice to any residents who have been left in hardship by not being able to move-in.

A council spokesman added: “If someone has moved into a property already or has signed a tenancy agreement and is due to move into the property soon, they have rights which their landlord – the developer – cannot disregard.

“We would urge anyone in this situation, and anyone who was hoping to move into the accommodation but has not yet signed a tenancy agreement, to seek advice on their housing rights and options.

“They can obtain advice from their solicitor, from one of the council’s housing advisers, from Citizens Advice or the Community Law Service.”

Anyone who has been left without housing or any means to pay for temporary accommodation, can contact the council’s housing advisers on 01604 837385 or via email at [email protected].

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