Proposals for 26 new homes in South Northamptonshire village refused by councillors

The planning committee at South Northamptonshire Council went against officer advice when it met earlier this month (September 3) and voted against plans to construct 26 new homes on land to the rear of 27 High Street, Paulerspury.

The proposals, from Rainier Developments Ltd and National Westminster, had bid for outline permission for up to 26 dwellings with all matters reserved other than access, which was proposed from High Street. The existing property at 27 High Street and the buildings on the site that formerly served the Grafton Hunt were to be demolished.

But the scheme had come up against objections from 57 households in the area, with no letters of support being received by the council.

A written statement from Paulerspury Parish Council also outlined its opposition to the scheme, stating: “We object on the grounds of it being outside the settlement confines in open countryside; contrary to the linear character of the village; and affecting important open views.”

It also said it could lead to highway safety issues, with residents also highlighting that the position of the access on a bend in the road where there is on-street car parking would result in ‘severe congestion’.

In the end, councillors refused the scheme on the grounds that it lay outside the village confines, despite .

Ward councillor for the area Councillor Sandra Barnes told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We didn’t want it and we didn’t need it. It’s the second time they tried to do this site and they came back with reduced numbers of homes, but it was still outside the confines. We’re quite strong on that aspect in South Northants, because if you’re not careful you get the incremental creeps and you end up being joined to Old Stratford.”