300 homes and new school at Grange Park recommended for planning approval

A scheme that would see 300 homes and a new school built in Grange Park has been recommended for planning approval.
A masterplan of the site included in planning documentsA masterplan of the site included in planning documents
A masterplan of the site included in planning documents

Manor Oak Homes has submitted the application to South Northamptonshire Council, whose planning officers have advised councillors on the planning committee to green light the proposals.

The site is sandwiched between Alamein Wood – which is near to the logistics park – and the M1.

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But the plans have not met with approval from a number of organisations as well as 157 residents who have signed objection letters.

Grange Park Parish Council has slammed the proposals, saying the new estate would have a ‘significant negative impact’ on the lives of existing residents, would ‘disrupt the village feel’ and place extra ‘burden’ on the existing medical centre.

Ward councillor for Grange Park, Councillor Andrew Grant, has also objected to the application, saying: “The council can demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and therefore development that is not allocated in the Development Plan should not be approved.”

Sports England added its name to objectors as the ‘demand created by the proposed development for both indoor and outdoor sports facilities has not been addressed’. It has requested section 106 financial contributions from the developers of £132,293 for sports halls and £141,477 for swimming pools.

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A number of complaints have also focused on the increase in road congestion that would result from the homes, as well as further impacts on the local air quality.

As well as the homes and the school, the outline application includes land for community uses, open space, drainage, footpath improvements and vehicle access.

Outlining their recommendation to approve the scheme, planning officers at the council wrote: “Given the urgent need to increase housing delivery, and given the fact the site abuts and does have pedestrian and cycle connection routes straight into existing network, the inevitably high reliance on private car journeys is not considered to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”

Although planning officers have recommended the scheme be granted planning permission, it is councillors on the authority’s planning committee that will make the final decision when it meets on Thursday (February 6).