Councillors refuse plans for 35 new homes in Blisworth

Land Allocation Ltd had been seeking outline planning permission for the houses just off Station Road, with half of the homes being classed as ‘affordable’. The applicant was also proposing to widen the footpath along the Northampton Road immediately to the south of the site to improve pedestrian links with the village.

But following objections from both the parish council, and the county council’s highways team, members at South Northamptonshire Council followed officer advice to refuse the application when they met virtually on Thursday October 1.

Officers had argued that although the application will help the council’s delivery of affordable homes, the site contravened planning policy by being outside the established village limits.

They also argued that the development will cause visual harm to the nearby Grafton Villas semi-detached cottages, which are Grade II listed 19th-century buildings that neighbour the area to the north.

Blisworth Parish Council also shared worries in their written objection, adding that the development would ‘exacerbate flooding’, cause an ‘overdevelopment of the village’ and that there would be ‘insufficient infrastructure’ surrounding the site.

The highways team at Northamptonshire County Council had also objected, saying the site is in an ‘unsustainable’ location. The objection read: “Most journeys to and from the site would likely be made by private motor vehicles; the pedestrian route out of the site and along Northampton Road is not conducive to pleasant, or safe walking.

“The applicant has subsequently proposed footpath widening to the south for some 250 metres providing better links to Blisworth; this is acknowledged by the highways authority, but their objection on sustainability grounds is maintained.”

Councillor Steven Hollowell, a member of the planning committee, agreed that the safety of pedestrians was a pressing issue. He said: “I agree that it’s not sustainable, but I don’t think that’s relevant. What I do think is relevant is the lack of safe walking. I’m not sure that they can widen the footpath as they say. It’s a very busy road and it’s not a pleasant walk, and I don’t think it’s possible to offer safe walking.”

Councillors unanimously refused the application, but the applicant will have the right to appeal the decision.