Plans for 73 new homes next to Northampton primary school set to be approved

It is proposed to construct 73 dwellings on land to the east of Hunsbury Park Primary School. All of the dwellings will be affordable with a mix of affordable rent, social rent and shared ownership properties.

The principle of building houses on the site has already been established, as outline planning permission was granted in March 2018 for a total of 50 homes. The council says the increase would ‘further help to meet the shortfall in housing provision’.

It is proposed that 28 of the dwellings will be three-bedroom properties and the other 45 will be two-bedroom properties. All of the proposed dwellings will be two storeys and will be arranged as semi-detached and terraced blocks.

The application, submitted by Countryside Properties (WPL) Ltd, will be determined by councillors serving on the planning committee of Northampton Borough Council. It will meet on Tuesday (March 17) to determine whether to follow officer advice and approve the scheme, or to reject it.

West Hunsbury Parish Council has decided to object on the grounds of increased traffic. In its written objection to the borough council, the parish states: “There are already considerable concerns about the level of traffic in the vicinity of the primary school, especially at school pick up and drop off times.

“It is thought that the development of 73 houses will only serve to increase what is already a large problem. The council appreciates that the developer has included 10 free parking spaces which could potentially be used during peak times, however, it is felt that this is not enough to mitigate the impact of the extra houses.”

The parish council’s objections were received alongside two objections from residents citing similar concerns.