Labour wants investigation into wrong street mistake

The Labour group on North Northamptonshire Council wants an investigation following incorrect consultation of a new warehouse development in a residential area.

People living on Hooke Close, Corby, described their outrage after construction work on the warehouse started in their road.

North Northamptonshire Council's (NNC) consultation on the scheme was mistakenly carried out in Hubble Road, about half a mile away.

Councillor Matt Keane, leader of the Labour Group on North Northamptonshire Council, said: "We are asking for a full independent investigation of this application from start to finish."

He added: “All the council seems to have done is a half-baked apology and given incorrect advice for residents to complain to the Local Government Ombudsmen."

The council approved the new warehouse project on the former Weetabix site in September, as first reported by the Northamptonshire Telegraph.

Mr Keane said his party was “furious” with the situation and felt NNC acted incorrectly.

Mr Keane added: "The public need answers. We also want to know what the council have done to ensure this does not happen again.

"Can the council assure us there have been no other applications where this has happened?

"The residents of Hooke Close deserve better."

Jason Smithers, Conservative leader of NNC council, apologised for the error over consultation offering a "whole-hearted" apology to the residents.

He also encouraged those affected to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman.

But Mr Smithers confirmed the development "remains lawful" and overturning the decision was "unlikely."

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