22 home development next to Northamptonshire primary school approved

The application, from Francis Jackson Homes, was given outline planning permission for development on the open countryside site in Little Houghton for up to 22 dwellings. It also includes infrastructure, a car park and a drop-off area to serve the nearby Little Houghton CE Primary School.

A reserved matters application will bring forward more details such as design at a later date, but members of South Northamptonshire Council’s planning committee approved the principle of the development when it met virtually on July 9.

It came despite 28 letters of objection from residents, with arguments saying the development would have an ‘adverse impact’ on the rural character of the village, the Conservation Area and its wider setting.

But a small number of letters of support were also sent in, outlining that the development will help the ‘huge shortfall of housing’ in the area, would ‘improve the longevity of the school’ and provide better access to the school.

The parish council meanwhile backed the proposals, saying: “We are supportive of the scheme in principle, however have raised concerns about the lack of parking provision for parents to pick up and drop off children.”