Plans approved for 48 homes despite objections

Plans to build 48 homes on the edge of a village have been approved despite concerns that the decision was against the agreed neighbourhood plan.

The proposal was the second phase of the Pembleton housing development on the southern edge of Kislingbury, near Northampton.

West Northamptonshire Council's planning committee heard it would provide eight affordable homes and 40 market-rate properties with a mix of one to four-bedroom houses.

The new plans was alongside the existing 44 homes, and some local residents objected on the grounds there had been an agreed allocation of 40 houses for the entire site.

Phil Bignell, West Northants' councillor for the Campion ward, which includes Kislingbury, said the site was not "suitable and needed development", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Chris Payne, a flood warden for Kislingbury, which the River Nene flows past, criticised "poor workmanship" and a lack of maintenance on existing ditches on the Pembleton estate by Spitfire Homes and the risk of further flooding if problems persisted in the new phase.

Jonathan Hughes, chairman of Kislingbury Parish Council, told West Northants' planning committee that going against was in the neighbourhood plan was "a further blow to local participation in decision-making".

Sarah Butterfield, who spoke on behalf of Spitfire Homes, acknowledged the number of homes exceeded the amount in the neighbourhood plan, but said it ultimately fell within the overall site allocation.

Despite concerns from committee members, council planning officers told the meeting the development on the site was considered to be acceptable as a result of the more recent West Northamptonshire local plan.

A proposal to accept the development in line with officer recommendations was put forward and carried, with six members voting in favour, two against and two abstaining.

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