Major 1,400-home housing estate in Northampton to be 'delivered at pace', according to Homes England

Plans to build up to 1,400 homes on farmland the size of around 100 football pitches in Northampton were approved last week, nine years after first being submitted.

Proposals to build on land at Upton Lodge Farm, off the A4500 Weedon Road, submitted by Homes England back in 2017, have this month (March) been given the green-light by West Northants Council (WNC).

In a statement made to Chronicle and Echo, Homes England said: “We are pleased that outline planning permission has been granted for a development of up to 1,400 new homes, a new primary school and local facilities at Upton Lodge Farm. The site has been earmarked for homes since 2014, and we have worked closely with WNC on this application.

“We expect a range of homes to be delivered at pace, offering new housing opportunities for both local people and those in the wider area.”

As well as new housing, the scheme includes a local centre with shops, healthcare and community facilities, a new primary school, play areas and large areas of public open space.

A final decision was made on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, after a long-running Section 106 legal agreement with West Northamptonshire Council was finally agreed on March 2, 2026.

The site covers about 70 hectares, the equivalent of around 100 football pitches, of mainly farmland on the western edge of Northampton between St Crispin’s, Duston and Harpole.

In planning papers, a Homes England spokesman said: “Upton Lodge will be a mixed-use community comprising new residential neighbourhoods and community uses.

“The vision for Upton Lodge is to create a lively, safe and sustainable community which provides a highly attractive western gateway to Northampton.

“The masterplan is founded on the very best practice in urban design, community integration and sustainable development, with strong links to the adjacent settlements of Northampton. The development will respect the town's local character and the site's urban edge setting, but must also shift Northampton towards a more sustainable future.

“The aim is to achieve a high quality development with a clear identity, activity and a strong ‘sense of place’.

“Overall, Upton Lodge is going to be somewhere you can live in a safe and attractive environment, walk easily to local facilities, schools, green spaces and shops, enjoy a range of open spaces, have a choice of transport options and feel part of a community.”

Just over half of the site (37 hectares) will be used for housing, according to plans.

Around 24 hectares of the site will be kept as green space. This will include parks, play areas, allotments, landscaped areas and balancing ponds.

According to plans, access will come from St Crispin Drive and the existing entrance to Upton Lodge Farm from Weedon Road. The Sandy Lane Relief Road will also provide a main route into the site, linking Weedon Road with Upton Valley Way North.

There is also potential for existing farm buildings at Upton Lodge to be converted into community uses, such as a meeting hall or church, as well as possible health facilities, according to plans.

Thousands of new homes are currently being built around Harpole and Duston.