Rejected plans for village housing goes to appeal

The land is currently being used for horse grazing

Proposals to build 20 affordable homes on the edge of a village will go to appeal after the plan was rejected.

In September, West Northamptonshire Council went against its officers' advice when it rejected an application for 20 houses on a paddock beyond the boundary of Potterspury, near Milton Keynes.

Developers Abbeymill Homes and Grand Union Housing said the houses would be marketed under shared ownership and social rent schemes.

The final say will now go to a government planning inspector who must assess the scheme on its overall merits.

The proposals resulted in more than 40 letters of objection and just one in support ahead of the planning meeting on 4 September, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The parish council previously said there was no local demand to justify the proposals and ward councillor on West Northamptonshire Council, Independent Ian McCord, also objected.

The developer said the project was "much-needed" as it would improve the housing opportunities and choice locally for residents.

Members of the planning committee turned down the plans, going against initial advice from its own planning team that said the project would be acceptable.

According to The Planning Inspectorate, comments on the appeal from interested parties are due in by November 14. No decision date has been set at this time.