Upset following 'destruction' of 'hidden gem' poppy field at precious Northampton woodland

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
A ‘hidden gem’ poppy field in Northampton has been destroyed to make way for thousands of new homes and a road.

The poppy field, situated next to Harlestone Firs, was a favourite spot for hundreds of walkers in the town.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The field has been dismantled this month by contractors working on the North West Relief Road and the Dallington Grange 3,000-property housing development on behalf of Persimmon Homes.

Resident Dave Suter, who frequently walked through the field, has expressed his dismay over the loss of this natural space.

Dave Suter took a picture of the poppy field at the start of summer (left) and at the end of summer this month (right).Dave Suter took a picture of the poppy field at the start of summer (left) and at the end of summer this month (right).
Dave Suter took a picture of the poppy field at the start of summer (left) and at the end of summer this month (right).

The 71-year-old said: “It’s a very thought-provoking field. Having gone there at the beginning of summer, it made me cry with joy. When I went there at the end of summer, it made me cry because of the destruction. This is the destruction of something that is health-giving. Nature can improve our health...the highway men have almost stolen that piece of tranquility.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s the degree of health you can get with a walk with no noise and just that feeling of space around you. Harlestone Firs is going to become almost like a garden centre. Almost too manicured around its edges instead of a rough firs.

“I think society has lost track of needing pockets of space that are not intruded by light or sound. That’s what’s happened at that field. Where else are you going to go? You’ve got to drive out a fair bit now to get that tranquility if you live in Kings Heath or Kingsthorpe.

“It was a hidden gem and it’s a loss that will never be replaced. It’ll affect a lot of people. People knew that field.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One resident commented, “That’s incredibly sad. The housing estates just won’t stop growing.”

In addition to the poppy field, Persimmon Homes also felled 1,800 trees at Harlestone Firs to accommodate the new road. A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes previously stated: “1,800 mature trees were removed to clear the corridor and as part of the forestry management of Harlestone Firs. We are planting nearly 8,000 new native trees and shrubs to replace those felled.”

The new road has faced criticism from some quarters. Conservative councillor Sam Rumens (Kingsthorpe North ward) expressed doubt about the road's effectiveness, saying: “Though I am not convinced the NWRR will provide any relief to Kingsthorpe—it seems merely an access road for housing—we need to see this project completed fully and as soon as possible. We can’t have a road to nowhere.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A West Northants Council spokeswoman said: “The poppy fields are located within the site of the approved Dallington Grange development. Extensive ecological surveys have been carried out on this site and appropriate mitigation measures have been identified and made conditions of the relevant planning permissions.

“Detailed landscape plans have been provided for the development which include areas of parkland and semi-natural habitats for recreational use by both new and existing residents. There may be opportunities for the creation of areas of poppies within these areas at a later stage.”

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes said: "Planning permission was granted for the first phase of our development at Harlestone Firs in April 2023. In preparation for these works, a farmer harvested the poppy field in question.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The planning consent granted for our development of up to 3,000 homes was done so following extensive consultation with the local community on the plans, which also feature a range of community facilities, public open space and several commitments to biodiversity and sustainability."

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1931
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice