Appeal lodged after council rejects plans to build three family homes on Northampton estate

Residents labelled plans for the new properties, which would be located on vacant land behind the Rectory Farm Community Centre, as “devastating” and an “overdevelopment”. The application was originally for four dwellings, but was reduced following officer concerns.

However, the scheme was still ultimately turned down in September due to the proximity of the homes to other neighbouring properties on the estate. Officers explained the proposed houses would result in a “direct overshadowing and overbearing effect detrimental to residential amenity”.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) also received almost 30 letters of objection to the residential development from members of the public, citing issues with the proximity to the community centre and school, dangers from increased car usage, the impact on neighbours, and the site being too “cramped”.

One person said: “Olden road can’t sustain what it already has – parking, littering, the school and the road. I get the need for housing, we need it, but in this small area this will be silly.”

Another stated: “This will be devastating and cause disruption that is not acceptable just for a few houses in such a small plot of land.”

Other neighbours also referred to the project as a “cramped backland development”, pointing to the loss of light and privacy and unsafe access if the homes were given the go-ahead.

The appellant, Mr Tomasz Kozlowski, lodged an appeal over WNC’s rejection, with the case starting this month. According to the planning inspectorate’s website, all comments from interested parties are due by January 14.

Mr Kozlowski previously said that the unused site is “ideal for much-needed generation and housing in the area” and added that it would provide “good family housing using good quality materials”.

A decision date for the planning appeal has not yet been confirmed.