Homes to be built on old petrol station site

The site on Harlestone Road would provide 82 affordable homes

A council has approved plans for houses on the site of a derelict car dealership and petrol station, despite a lack of public support.

Vistry Homes had applied to West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to turn the site in the Duston area of Northampton site into a £20m housing scheme.

However, the Reform UK-controlled authority agreed to buy the brownfield land from Vistry so that it can deliver all 82 homes as affordable housing.

The scheme received 71 letters of objection and no letters of support from members of the public, but councillors voted in favour at a planning meeting on Tuesday.

The estate will consist of 31 homes classed as affordable rent, 26 for shared ownership and 25 for social rent.

One hectare of open space is also proposed, including a children's play area, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The obligation is on Vistry to build the homes and transfer them at completion.

However, the cost of WNC's acquisition of the site has so far been kept confidential.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting, ward councillor Vincent Clive said he believed the development could be a "net positive" for Duston, but said some issues should be addressed before permission was given.

Mr Clive said those issues included financial contributions to education services due to nearby schools being "chronically over-subscribed" and further funding for health services.

He added: "I'm not opposed to homes being built here at all, but I am opposed to homes being built badly or in bad context.

"This is a decent scheme, but it could be better if the issues were addressed now."

The scheme will comprise of 31 homes for affordable rent, 26 homes for shared ownership and 25 homes for social rent

Planning officers said no information had been presented to provide a need for an educational contribution and that the NHS team confirmed a healthcare contribution was not required.

Stephanie Eastwood, speaking on behalf of Vistry, said: "The proposals would deliver significant benefits, including redevelopment of brownfield land and delivery of a high-quality residential development that will make a far more positive contribution to the character of the area than the existing buildings."

Work is expected to begin in early 2026, with a planned completion date in 2027.