Appeal over new houses is unusual, inquiry told

The plans propose building hundreds of homes on 35 hectares of a greenfield site in Brackley

An appeal over plans to build up to 700 homes on the outskirts of a market town was "unusual", an inquiry has heard.

The plans, which were submitted by Ashfield Land, Vulpes Land and Davidsons Developments to West Northamptonshire Council, would see hundreds of homes built on 35 hectares (86 acres) of greenfield site in Brackley.

The authority agreed planning permission should be granted, but the developers criticised the council's development plan, the inquiry found.

The plans received more than 100 public objections over concerns about traffic, loss of farmland and a lack of infrastructure.

Sasha White KC, for the developers, said at the inquiry it was an "unusual appeal" in which the two main parties agreed that planning permission should be granted.

He added that the difference in their arguments was due to the developers' view that the council does not have a five-year housing land supply and its development plan was not up to date.

Andrew Fraser-Urquhart KC, on behalf of the council, told the inquiry the position of both parties was that permission for the development "ought to be granted".

He said the dispute was over "the route in which that planning permission ought to be granted".

He added that even with the council's development plan applied in full force, the benefits of the housing scheme would outweigh the breach of policy from building on an unallocated site.

Strained infrastructure

Despite both the council and developers agreeing, the scheme was criticised by others.

Fiona Baker, a Conservative councillor for Brackley, told the inquiry she was "hard-pressed" to see where the benefit of the plans "outweighs the disadvantages".

She told the inquiry: "Many residents do feel that we in Brackley have done our bit.

"We have a shortage of doctors, surgeries and no capacity for dental appointments on the NHS at all.

"A major concern is the roundabout at the bottom of Banbury Road on the A422 is already, and was this morning, heavily congested at peak times."

Alan Mayes, from Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Northamptonshire, also told the hearing that there was no need to sacrifice greenfield sites for housing.

"We believe strongly in the principle of a plan-led system that secures sustainable and well-located growth through public consultation and democratic choice," he said.

The four-day inquiry started on Tuesday in The Forum, Towcester, and is available to watch live on the council's YouTube channel.

It is expected to end on 31 October and a final decision on the plans will be issued after the inquiry.