Delayed plans for 217 homes on brownfield Northampton site set for approval after developer increases amount of parking

The brownfield area of land in Far Cotton has been flagged as a potential site for 217 homes by applicants Tilia Homes. The grounds, off of Ransome Road, used to house the Northampton to Peterborough Branch Railway and a former landfill, which was subsequently cleared.

Proposals indicate the estate would offer a mix of two to four-bed homes, including 24 affordable apartments. All properties would have their own off-street parking, with 454 allocated parking spaces for residents and 52 visitor spaces on the residential roads.

Councillors deferred their decision on the controversial plans when it came before them in May due to concerns over increased traffic and struggling local facilities.

The council has since looked into potential traffic regulation orders (TROs) to review parking restrictions along Ransome Road and mitigate the increased traffic from the estate. The applicant has also doubled the amount of visitor parking bays along Ransome Road, by the area of green space, to cater for heightened parking needs associated with the businesses opposite and existing residents.

The Local Highway Authority accepted there were some existing parking issues in the area, but said it was its view that the development would in fact help to resolve the issue.

“The applicant’s additional proposals of a TRO review and adding further parking along the green space will further mitigate the existing issues, resulting in a net benefit to the residents of Ransome Road,” it added.

WNC planning officers concluded: “It is acknowledged that this allocated brownfield site in a sustainable location on the edge of Northampton town centre has a number of complexities which have significantly hindered the site coming forward for development.

“These limitations must however be balanced with the positive aspect of the development in respect of the regeneration of a redundant site and the visual enhancement to the area this provides.”

The report recommends the plans would be acceptable “on balance”, subject to an agreement securing the affordable housing provision and a TRO. The scheme will go before the council’s planning committee next Tuesday (August 13) to accept or deny permission.