The new development corporation will oversee growth

The planned urban development corporation (UDC) for west Northamptonshire aims to push forward development in the area and bring jobs to the region.

The non-elected body will have extra powers and will cover the council areas of Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire.

But the new quango has been criticised by the STOP (Stop the Over-development Plans for Northamptonshire) group.

We fear the UDC will push ahead and build the houses and everything else (including the infrastructure) will be left far behind Sir Peter Fry, campaigner

The group is concerned that it may support a government study which has called for up to 167,000 new homes to be built in Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and surrounding areas by 2031.

On Friday, Sir Peter Fry, chairman of the group, criticised the UDC's lack of democratic accountability.

"We are concerned that it is another blow at allowing people to express their views," he said.

"We think it takes us a step further from dealing with the council. It is not going to be responsive to public opinion.

"Northamptonshire has expanded a lot already. The expansion at present is 3,000 houses a year.

"The plan is to jack it up to 5,000 - a rate of expansion we are not ready for.

"We fear the UDC will push ahead and build the houses and everything else (including the infrastructure) will be left far behind."

Private investors

A spokesman for the proposed UDC said: "The issue for west Northamptonshire is not whether to grow - that is happening already - but how to channel that growth to ensure that we create more sustainable communities.

"The UDC will have strong local representation, with at least 6 places (out of 13) for partners (Northamptonshire councils, east midlands development agency etc).

"We will also want to encourage suitably qualified local partners to apply for the remaining advertised places.