A rejected plan to build three family homes on a disused piece of land near a Northampton community centre has been dismissed at appeal.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) threw out the housing proposals for vacant land behind the Rectory Farm Community Centre in September 2025 because of its proximity to nearby properties. The appellant, Mr Tomasz Kozlowski, later appealed the decision with the government’s planning inspectorate in an attempt to get the decision overturned.

At the time, the plans received nearly 30 objections from members of the public, labelling the scheme as “devastating” and an “overdevelopment”. They raised issues with the location being too close to the community centre and school, the impact on neighbours, and the site being too “cramped”.

WNC rejected the plans under delegated powers, saying the new homes would result in a “direct overshadowing and overbearing effect” on existing neighbours.

Plans to build three new homes on a vacant parcel of land associated with the Rectory Farmhouse (far left), off Olden Road, have been dismissed at appeal Credit: Google Maps

placeholder image — Plans to build three new homes on a vacant parcel of land associated with the Rectory Farmhouse (far left), off Olden Road, have been dismissed at appeal Credit: Google Maps

The planning inspector agreed that the largest home, which was proposed just 13 metres away from the back of an existing house on Lowlands Close, would “lead to an oppressive sense of enclosure and an adverse effect on outlook for occupiers”. They found that the new building was also likely to reduce light in the neighbouring property’s garden and have an adverse effect on their living conditions.

The planning inspectorate published a report outlining its decision to quash the appeal and disallow the housing plans on Monday, August 10.