Unanimous rejection for contentious application for up to 76 homes on outskirts of Northamptonshire village

Councillors have unanimously rejected a contentious application to build up to 76 homes on the outskirts of a Northamptonshire village.

South Northamptonshire Council's planning committee followed the officer's recommendation to turn down Davidsons Homes' proposal for the land outside Greens Norton on Thursday (February 4).

Members cited the site being outside the village's development plan on a prime agricultural area and the lack of mitigation by the developer.

Cllr John Townsend said: "Exactly the same stuff is trotted out each time that we're going to bring 70, 80, 90 houses to our villages but absolutely no acknowledgement that we have a five-year land supply.

"Presumably these applications cost a great deal of money, which might be alright for our coffers, but it's just rather depressing that we hear the same thing trotted out each time a developer comes along.

"They're obviously going to try their luck at an appeal, well I hope they don't make it.

"Can officers make it clearer to them that there's absolutely no point going against what is a very very clear policy?"

Half of the homes in Davidsons' scheme off Mill Lane would have been affordable while there will also be a mix of one-five bedroom properties, including bungalows.

There would also have been a publicly-accessible open space including a play area and a foul sewerage pumping station.

Robert Love, representing Davidsons, told the committee the development would be a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity' for young people to stay in the village.

But Greens Norton parish councillor Jane Docking said: "Greens Norton Parish Council supports the officer in his recommendation of refusal as the site is outside the village confines, confers no benefit to the village, adding visual harms and traffic impacts."

Ward councillor Charles Manners also opposed the scheme for similar reasons, as well as the school and doctors surgery being near capacity.

Discussing the proposal, Cllr Steven Hollowell recommended adding the loss of agricultural land reason, which was supported by Cllr Phil Bignell.

"If you're going to build on something the nicest land is not where you start and this really is nice land," he said.