West Northamptonshire Council has turned down a proposal to build 20 affordable homes on the outskirts of a local village. The decision came during a planning meeting held on September 4, where council officers presented the proposal as being split into two separate sites: one covering 0.65 hectares and the other 0.47 hectares. Any one of these sites would likely satisfy the eligibility standards to gain approved status. At first, the plan targeted just one site of about 1.12 hectares.
Independent council member Ian McCord expressed his severe displeasure towards the proposal. He further noted that the most recent regulations needed any location outside village boundaries to be under a hectare for it to be approved. His concerns reflected the feelings of the residents who live there. In fact, using the community’s mailing address, they submitted more than 40 letters of objection to the proposal and only one in support.
Another notable objector, Rhiannon Biscoe, highlighted potential impacts on Swallowfields Stud, a learning center for people with disabilities located nearby. Biscoe’s remarks reflect broader community concerns regarding the development’s implications for local facilities and the environment.
“The committee’s apparent lack of experience with the planning process was evident, as officers repeatedly advised that there were no defensible grounds for refusal. Despite this, the committee disregarded the officers’ guidance, insisting on finding reasons to reject the application, even after being informed of the desperate need for housing.” – Abbeymill Homes spokesperson
This latest rejection highlights the uphill battle that developers face when trying to deliver much-needed affordable housing in West Northamptonshire. The council’s decision reflects a cautious approach to planning, particularly when it comes to developments that may affect local amenities or community character.
The discussions around the failed proposal show just how polarized the community has become when it comes to developing new housing. Often key residents become strong advocates for affordable housing. As they do, they continue to worry about maintaining the purity of their own local communities and campus spaces.
