Plans for 200 homes in Wellingborough approved despite crime concerns

The 207 homes will be part of an urban extension of 3,650 houses

Plans for more than 200 homes have been approved despite concerns about security and anti-social behaviour.

The homes will be built on the edge of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, as part of the Stanton Cross sustainable urban extension.

A police advisor had raised concerns about limited courtyard access and parking spaces not being overlooked.

North Northamptonshire Council said the developer will have to provide lights for the car park.

The project, consisting of 207 homes, will be built by Vistry Group.

This is the latest stage of the 3,650-home Stanton Cross development, which will not be completed until 2033.

Hundreds of houses have already been occupied at Stanton Cross, but building will continue for another decade

Although none of the 207 new properties will be affordable homes, there is a stipulation that 5% of properties across the whole Stanton Cross development will be affordable.

Northamptonshire Police's crime prevention design advisor told the council there were "serious concerns" about many of the parking spaces having "very little surveillance... making these areas vulnerable to crime and anti-social behaviour".

The advisor also raised concerns about properties sharing rear courtyards.

The advisor said that, where courtyards were unavoidable, "the access should be restricted, and direct surveillance should be provided".

North Northamptonshire Council's planning officers reported that there had been discussions with the advisor who had agreed that the provision of courtyards in other areas of Stanton Cross and the constraints of the road layout were "mitigating factors", and the advisor had not formally objected.

The officers said the developer would be required to provide a lighting plan for development, including the parking areas.