Residents oppose plan to build 75 homes in village

Plans for a new housing estate in Long Buckby are at an early stage

Residents are worried about emerging plans to build about 75 homes in their village, where a petition opposing the scheme already has 1,000 signatures.

Rainier Developments has said it will submit a planning application for a new housing estate in Long Buckby, in Northamptonshire.

The petition said: "The quiet village is facing a potential threat to its natural surroundings and community character."

A spokesperson for the developer said: "In addition to new homes for local people, our proposals would create new areas of public open space, including a children's play area and new habitat creation."

'Green buffer'

The site is about 3.65 hectares (9 acres) of agricultural pastureland which borders existing homes.

Proposals stated the project would include a significant amount of affordable housing, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service,

A Rainier Developments spokesperson said: "As part of the planning application process, discussions will be undertaken with the council and other service providers on scope and scale of financial contributions required to mitigate the impact of the proposals on local services."

But the petition highlighted the potential impact on the character of the village.

It said: "Those fields are not only home to a diverse range of wildlife but also serve as a green buffer that helps maintain the rural charm that makes Long Buckby so special."

There were also concerns about traffic congestion and the strain extra residents could put on roads, schools, and health facilities.

The developer's website, which outlined the proposal, said no planning application had yet been submitted to West Northamptonshire Council.

If one is submitted, there will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the plans.