Plans to build up to 1,400 homes on farmland the size of around 100 football pitches in Northampton have been approved – 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 been given the green-light by West Northants Council (WNC).

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 of mainly farmland just off the A4500 between Harpole and St Crispin's

placeholder image — The site covers about 70 hectares of mainly farmland just off the A4500 between Harpole and St Crispin's

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 Homes England scheme proposes a residential development of up to 1,400 homes along with a mixed-use local centre including retail, healthcare and community facilities.

“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.

The land is equivalent to the size of around 100 football pitches

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.

The council’s decision notice says work must start within two years of the first detailed planning approval, which has not yet been submitted.

Consultation on developing the land dates back more than 20 years, with planning documents saying early work on a masterplan started in 2005.

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