Councillors refuse a second application this month to build homes on the edge of Blisworth

An illustrative layout of how the site would have looked had it been approved.

The application, from Manor Farm Developments (UK) Ltd & CBC Meats Ltd, was seeking outline planning permission for up to 30 homes with all matters reserved other than the design of the Northampton Road.

The land, which is also just behind properties on Little Lane, is currently used for grazing and slopes down to the west, and it was its height and visual impact on the village’s skyline that formed a large part of the concerns.

Planning officers at South Northamptonshire Council had also recommended refusing the scheme as it was ‘unnecessary housing’ beyond the confines of the village.

Speaking to members of the council’s planning committee on Thursday (October 29), the clerk of Blisworth Parish Council, Viv Hartley, also registered the parish’s complaints.

She said: “Development outside the confines should be considered only in exceptional circumstances, and this is clearly not the case with this application. This will be detrimental to the appearance and character of the area. It would form a major part of the skyline.

“The proposed access to the site is also problematic due to its location at the top of the hill close to a bend, which is particularly dangerous when the traffic is turning right out of the side.”

Councillors were inclined to agree with the views of the officers and the parish council, as they unanimously agreed to refuse the scheme, with Councillor John Townsend saying: “You would be able to see this from miles away.”

And Councillor Paul Wiltshire said: “There’s no tangible benefits to the village. It has no advantages and has plenty of disadvantages.”

It is the second time in the last month that the planning committee has refused a scheme for homes on the outskirts of Blisworth, having refused a proposal for 35 homes on the next field across from the Northampton Road site on October 1.