Modular homes approved to tackle housing shortage

Plans for modular, relocatable homes have been approved despite concerns about safeguarding for a local school.

It was hoped the 108 homes at a former school site off Billing Brook Road in Northampton, and on the Claret Car Park near Sixfields stadium, could address a shortage of accommodation for homeless people.

Northampton Academy raised concern the homes would overlook a playground - creating a safeguarding issue.

West Northamptonshire Council said the homes would provide an "unusual solution to a very urgent problem".

Both proposals, submitted by West Northamptonshire Council, will provide a mixture of one and two-bedroom temporary accommodation units, a residents' community hub, laundry room, site office, and children's play area.

Speaking at a planning meeting on Thursday cabinet member for housing Charlie Hastie said the schemes were "an unusual solution to a very urgent problem" of homelessness, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said the council is currently providing temporary accommodation to around 750 households, but that over half are placed in accommodation the council does not own, such as HMOs and hotels on a nightly basis.

Councillor John East warned tenants of the new buildings would be subject to noise and pollution from nearby industrial buildings

Responding to concerns the council said its environmental protection team were satisfied that noise and air quality impact would not be detrimental to residents.

And that homes next to schools were "far from unusual", stating there was a 50 metre gap, as well as vegetation between the two.