Plans submitted to build the next 226 homes at a huge 1,000-property housing estate in Northampton

A reserved matters planning application has been submitted for the next phase of housing at Rowtree Park, on the southern edge of Northampton.

The application, submitted by housing developer Vistry, covers Phase 2B of the Rowtree Park scheme, which forms part of the Northampton South Sustainable Urban Extension near Collingtree.

A reserved matters application means the principle of development has already been approved, with the council now being asked to sign off the detailed design, layout, appearance and landscaping.

The plans propose to build the homes on a 15.6-hectare site, forming part of the wider Rowtree Park development, which was granted outline planning permission in 2013.

That outline permission allows for up to 1,000 homes across the site, along with a mixed-use local centre, a site for a primary school and extensive green infrastructure, including public open space and the reconfiguration and extension of Collingtree Park Golf Club.

According to planning documents, the development would include one and two-bed flats and two, three, four and five-bed houses, with buildings up to a maximum of three storeys. The layout includes new streets, footpaths and cycle routes, with green spaces running through the site.

The plans also include 6.5 hectares of public open space, 1.2 hectares of allotments, and access taken from the existing neighbouring development.

A total of 35 homes would be provided as affordable housing, accounting for around 15 per cent of Phase 2B. Planning documents confirm this is the minimum level required under the outline planning permission and Section 106 agreement, which sets affordable housing levels at between 15 and 35 per cent for each phase.

The applicant says a shortfall in affordable housing delivery in an earlier phase of the development has been balanced out by a slightly higher provision in this phase, meaning the overall affordable housing level across the entire scheme would remain at 15 per cent.

Of the affordable homes proposed, 29 would be for affordable rent and six for shared ownership, with the remaining homes sold on the open market.

The application has been submitted to West Northamptonshire Council, with a target decision date of April 27.