Council approves plan for brownfield site housing

An artist's impression of what the site in Far Cotton could look like

Plans to build more than 200 houses on an abandoned brownfield site have been approved by a council.

The land, off Ransome Road in Far Cotton, Northampton, has been earmarked for 217 homes by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC).

Earlier this month, councillors reversed their decision to defer on a decision following a report that said the plans were acceptable "on balance".

Richard West, a representative from the applicant Tilia Homes, said the plans "deliver everything needed" for a "thriving development for local people".

The site in Far Cotton is currently empty and fenced off to the public

The grounds used to house part of the Northampton to Peterborough branch railway and a former landfill site, which was subsequently cleared.

A resident who spoke at the planning meeting asked members to reconsider the proposal and "listen to local knowledge" to make up their minds.

She said the impact of adding the extra cars from 217 homes to an inadequate junction and local infrastructure would be "astounding".

The Local Highway Authority accepted there were some existing parking issues in the area, but that the development helped to resolve the issue.

'Raw deal'

Labour councillor Bob Purser, for Abington and Phippsville, said while the plans were "welcome", the community "gets a raw deal".

Meanwhile the Conservative councillor Andre Gonzalez De Savage, for East Hunsbury and Shelfleys, said the proposals were “not ideal whatsoever".

Mr Gonzalez De Savage continued: "[The plans] quite clearly do not provide any medical facilities.. for any of the prescribed families.

"They would be selling homes to people under false impressions that they would be able to get their children to local schools or doctors or dentists - because there just aren’t any.

"I understand the current government’s ambition to try and plan development on every possible bit of land and our need for a substantial number of homes.

"It might comply with policy but it’s not reality."

The housing estate was approved by members, with eight voting in favour and three voting against.