WATCH: Drone footage shows access road taking shape for 450-home development on edge of Northampton

Work is ongoing along the Nobottle Road, between Harpole and Duston, where a new access road and roundabout are being built to serve the Roman Fields housing estate on the edge of the village.

The road has been shut since January is expected to reopen in September 2026.

Drone footage from drone pilot Richard Durham, taken on Saturday (March 14), shows the latest update of the site where the access road is being built ahead of the homes.

Contractors T & W Civils are carrying out reconstruction, roundabout construction and associated works, according to West Northamptonshire Council traffic reports.

The three-kilometre stretch of road is closed to all traffic, with a diversion in place via the Sandy Lane relief road onto the A4500. Delays are expected, and residents are being warned to plan ahead.

Harpole Parish Council previously raised concerns about the disruption.

A spokesman said: “The parish council is concerned about the length of time of the proposed closure. We are currently in discussions with highways to impress upon them the need to reduce the disruption this will cause to the residents of Harpole.”

Conservative councillor Phil Bignell (Bugbrooke ward) also criticised the length of the closure. He said: “I have had quite a few comments on this so far and expect many more. It seems very excessive to have the road closed for the whole period and I think traffic management with one direction travel with traffic lights and still being usable could be a better solution.

“If implemented the closure will cause major inconvenience to many residents. For residents going north they will be forced to use the already busy A4500. A lot of children attending Harpole school come from Duston and this will again cause issues to them twice a day.”

The Roman Fields scheme, submitted by Davidsons Developments and landowners John and Iris Green, was approved by West Northamptonshire Council at the end of 2025.

In total, 27 objections were submitted by residents to the estate.

One objector said: “There is a dire need for road calming measures… Harpole village is being used as a rat run and this will continue unless careful thought and consideration is given to these issues.”

Another said: “The number of houses being built in the area of Harpole and Duston is completely out of proportion with the size of land and facilities. It is changing the community in a damaging way by swallowing up green space and merging Harpole village with the edge of Northampton.

“The only purpose is to make as much money for the developer as possible with no concern for the local area. A further 450 houses with no real community of their own and no facilities is ridiculous.”

A council planning officer said the scheme “accords with the development plan” and would deliver “a balanced and sustainable development of up to 450 new homes”.