Developer loses bid to delay shops and amenities

A request to push back the delivery of a long-awaited local centre and shops in a new housing estate has been turned down.

More than 1,300 homes at Stanton Cross in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire have been occupied since construction began in May 2018.

That should have triggered a legally binding promise from developers to add the amenities once the 1,200th home had been sold.

But Stanton Cross Developments sought permission from North Northamptonshire Council to delay building the shops until there were 2,000 homes, despite objections from residents.

Planners unanimously rejected the request, the local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Members of the council' planning committee received more than 300 objections to the extension request which also sparked opposition from Wellingborough Town Council and the local residents' association.

Adam Fox, speaking on behalf of Stanton Cross Residents' Association at the meeting on 10 December, said the delays had already prompted many people to move away.

"We are told that others will consider this as well," he said.

Committee members heard that the developer had been trying to find an occupier for the retail unit at the neighbourhood centre.

Chris Tompkins, from Stanton Cross Developments, said he was "acutely aware" of the strength of feeling but keeping the trigger point of 1,200 households would not be "attractive" to any retailer.

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