‘Potential to destroy it’: Councillors refuse major housing scheme on edge of Northamptonshire village

An outline application to build a new development of homes on farmland on the edge of the village of Badby, near Daventry, went to West Northants Council’s (WNC) planning committee last night, on June 4.

The proposals received more than 80 letters of objection from local residents and the authority’s planning officers recommended that councillors refuse permission for the homes, due to the harm to the landscape and character of the village and insufficient information on a safe and suitable access route into the site.

The 49-home development, proposed by Southern Strategic Land (SSL), lies in open countryside on the western edge of Badby, between Pound Lane in the village and the A361. Planning papers say the proposed residential development would provide a mix of two to four-bedroom homes, 40 per cent of which would be affordable.

Speaking at the planning meeting, local resident Kirsten Dollery, warned councillors that the plans would “shatter” the character of the village if it were to go ahead and “fundamentally erode” Badby’s historic secluded character.

The proposals have also been formally opposed by Badby Parish Council, who said that the proposals conflict with the neighbourhood plan and do not show a demonstrable need for the amount of housing in the rural location.

Parish councillor Linda Clow told committee members: “It is a small village with a huge heritage. Far from enhancing as the applicant suggests, this proposal has the potential to destroy it.”

Ward councillor Charlie Hastie (Reform UK, Woodford and Weedon) also attended to speak against the application, which he said had caused residents considerable local concern. He highlighted proposals in the West Northants Local Plan which only put forward the need for 29 new homes in Badby over the next 20 years to be delivered through infill development.

The agent for the application, Ben Jones, told members that the area had a “clear and pressing housing need” and that the site represents the only logical direction for the village to grow.

He continued: “Over the last two years we’ve invested significant time and resource to bring forward this proposal, including engaging in extensive pre-application discussions with West Northants Highways and the LLFA [Lead Local Flood Authority].

“Members, this application asks a simple question: what kind of future do we want for villages like Badby? Successful villages cannot remain frozen in time.

“Without affordable homes, younger generations are increasingly priced out of the communities in which they grew up. Local homes for local people who would otherwise struggle to access housing in this area.”

Ultimately, the committee decided to vote in line with officer recommendations and refuse the residential development