'We want roads first': Council objects to Buckton Fields plan for 600 more homes after protests by Northampton folk

The borough council has lodged a formal objection to a plan to build nearly 700 more homes near Northampton after a lobbying effort by community groups.
The Buckton Fields masterplan. An objection for more infrastructure will now be sent back to Daventry District Council.The Buckton Fields masterplan. An objection for more infrastructure will now be sent back to Daventry District Council.
The Buckton Fields masterplan. An objection for more infrastructure will now be sent back to Daventry District Council.

A list of terms, asking for more roads, pollution control and healthcare services for the Buckton Fields development, has now been sent back to Daventry District Council.

It comes after councillors and Northampton folk demanded "roads and infrastructure first" at a planning meeting last week (November 21) for the next stage of the development, in Brampton Lane, Boughton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

When complete, developers Ensign Group Limited will have planted a total of 1,050 homes in the area, with a care of home, park and ride and an academy primary school.

Early plans showed planning officers recommended "no objections" to the development's second phase to start building the next 674 homes.

But after a unanimous vote by councillors last week, the borough council has now written to Daventry District Council to object to the build until more is done to help Northampton support the new families and traffic brought by the houses.

The 1,050 houses will be within the boundaries of Daventry District Council, who will get final say over the plans. Northampton Borough Council was invited as a "key consultee" over the development.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The plan has no formal objections to the houses themselves.

Ward councillor for Kingsthorpe Sally Beardsworth said: "WIthout infrastructure, this development is going to be an absolute nightmare. Kingsthorpe would have got all the traffic and pollution.

"I'm very pleased with the results and that they've listened. Next, they've got to put in the North West Relief Road. When the plan goes before the county council, we will go to bat to say there should be building until the infrastructure is in place."

Patrick Cross, chairman of the Whitehills and Spring Park Residents Association, which fought for the objection, said: "This is very positive, but the war isn't over. Next, we need to find out when the plan goes before Daventry District Council and we will turn out in numbers for it."

Related topics: