Plans progress to build 1,700 homes on land the size of 140 football pitches on edge of Northampton

Proposals for a huge new housing development across 100 hectares of arable and pastoral land behind Grange Park have taken a step forward.

Applicant Gallagher Developments has submitted a ‘scoping opinion’ to West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) – the first step before a formal planning application – outlining the scale of the project and asking for feedback on what environmental issues should be assessed.

The proposed site sits between Newport Pagnell Road, Quinton Road and Wooldale Road, near Grange Park and Caroline Chisholm School.

Gallagher Developments say the plans would include a mix of homes, including affordable housing, with higher-density buildings close to a new local centre.

The developer also says the site would also feature a new primary school, a cluster of shops and community facilities, and large areas of open space, including a country park, play areas and walking and cycling routes.

Access would come from new junctions on Newport Pagnell Road, Quinton Road and Wooldale Road, linked by a new connecting road. Space for bus routes and safe pedestrian and cycle paths is also expected.

Three smaller, related planning applications are already being considered by the council for parts of the wider area. These include up to 285 homes and a local centre off Newport Pagnell Road, 60 homes off Quinton Road, and 160 homes north of Caroline Chisholm School.

The council is inviting comments on the scoping opinion from members of the public until November 12, with a target decision date set for November 24.