Published: 02/09/2010 07:30 -
Updated: 01/09/2010 16:08
Campaigners have said that they will fight against plans for 800 new homes on the edge of Harpole. They are calling for a public enquiry into the development.
The Northants Residence Alliance, which has more than 1,200 members, is meeting with local MP Andrea Leadsom this week to discuss the plans and assess their next move to appeal the planning process.
South Northamptonshire Council’s Development Control Committee announced last week that it was granting planning permission for 781 homes and related development, including a new country park at Norwood Farm. It took only 90 minutes for the council to accept the proposal.
The development is part of a larger scheme that straddles the district’s boundary with the western edge of Northampton.
Roger Kingston, co-chairman of the Northants Residence Alliance, said: “This could potentially grow to more than 4,300 homes in the next few years and that is not on.
“There are so many issues with these plans and the council needs to seriously rethink its planning policy. Our infrastructure is already under too much pressure as it is and this development does not improve the roads or access to the site. There are not enough schools in the area and neither are there enough medical facilities.
“There is no need to build on this site as there are still plenty of brownfield sites that could be redeveloped in Northampton itself. The St Crispin’s hospital would be an ideal site for many homes but it’s cheaper and easier for developers to just build in an open field.
“We aren’t opposed to developments, some of us live in new build homes, but are calling for developments to include things that help improve the area at the same time. Better roads, schools and more doctors’ surgeries.
“We are meeting with Andrea Leadsom this week to discuss where we go from here. I think a judicial review will be too expensive for us but we will push for a public enquiry and will also be going to the Government ombudsmen because these plans go against Government policy.” Mrs Leadsom is equally upset at the plans to build the homes as they do not fit in with the current coalition’s housing policy.
The MP for South Northamptonshire said: “This is clearly a hangover from the last Government. The new coalition wants planners to take into consideration the needs and wants of local people, so that the right development goes into the right area. This clearly hasn’t been the case here with SNC.
“I think it is important that any development comes with an improvement of local infrastructure.
If getting a public enquiry is what it takes so be it. I have campaigned for the last year now, even before I was elected, that it should be for local people to decide where these developments go.” Councillor Stephen Clarke, chairman of the committee at SNC, said: “I look forward to hearing the outcome of the meeting with Andrea Leadsom MP and shall follow any further developments with interest.”
Norwood Farm
South Northamptonshire Council’s Development Control Committee announced last week that it was granting planning permission for 781 homes and related development, including a new country park at Norwood Farm. It took only 90 minutes for the council to accept the proposal.
The development is part of a larger scheme that straddles the district’s boundary with the western edge of Northampton.
Roger Kingston, co-chairman of the Northants Residence Alliance, said: “This could potentially grow to more than 4,300 homes in the next few years and that is not on.
“There are so many issues with these plans and the council needs to seriously rethink its planning policy. Our infrastructure is already under too much pressure as it is and this development does not improve the roads or access to the site. There are not enough schools in the area and neither are there enough medical facilities.
“There is no need to build on this site as there are still plenty of brownfield sites that could be redeveloped in Northampton itself. The St Crispin’s hospital would be an ideal site for many homes but it’s cheaper and easier for developers to just build in an open field.
“We aren’t opposed to developments, some of us live in new build homes, but are calling for developments to include things that help improve the area at the same time. Better roads, schools and more doctors’ surgeries.
“We are meeting with Andrea Leadsom this week to discuss where we go from here. I think a judicial review will be too expensive for us but we will push for a public enquiry and will also be going to the Government ombudsmen because these plans go against Government policy.” Mrs Leadsom is equally upset at the plans to build the homes as they do not fit in with the current coalition’s housing policy.
The MP for South Northamptonshire said: “This is clearly a hangover from the last Government. The new coalition wants planners to take into consideration the needs and wants of local people, so that the right development goes into the right area. This clearly hasn’t been the case here with SNC.
“I think it is important that any development comes with an improvement of local infrastructure.
If getting a public enquiry is what it takes so be it. I have campaigned for the last year now, even before I was elected, that it should be for local people to decide where these developments go.” Councillor Stephen Clarke, chairman of the committee at SNC, said: “I look forward to hearing the outcome of the meeting with Andrea Leadsom MP and shall follow any further developments with interest.”
