Major plans submitted to build nearly 50 homes as extension to quiet Northamptonshire village – 'our village could be altered forever,' says parish
Major plans have been submitted to build up to 49 new homes as an extension to a quiet Northamptonshire village.
Proposals have been unveiled to build the properties on farmland on the edge of the village of Badby, near Daventry.
The application, lodged by Southern Strategic Land (SSL), relates to land west of Pound Lane, between the village and the A361. The site covers around 3.37 hectares, equivalent to the size of four to five football pitches.
Planning papers say 40 per cent of the homes would be affordable. The development would include a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties, as well as bungalows. Most homes would be two storeys, according to plans.
The applicant says the scheme has been designed to respond to Badby’s ageing population. The planning statement says the village has a ‘clear skew towards older residents’, with implications for the ‘long-term sustainability of local services and facilities’. It adds that providing bungalows and smaller homes would allow older residents to downsize while remaining in Badby, freeing up larger properties for families.
The plans also include public open space, a village green, children’s play space. The target decision date for the application is April 10.
However, the proposals have been formally opposed by Badby Parish Council (BPC).
An objection submitted on behalf of the parish council says: “Overall, the proposal represents an inappropriate form of development which would result in demonstrable harm to the character and appearance of the countryside, undermine the established settlement pattern of Badby, and conflict with the objective of directing growth to more sustainable and suitable locations.
"Overall, the proposal represents an unjustified and unsustainable form of development in open countryside, contrary to the spatial strategy of the development plan. It conflicts directly with the Badby Parish Neighbourhood Plan.”
On its website, Badby Parish Council said the village is facing increasing pressure from development outside its boundary and raised concerns about how planning decisions are being handled.
The council said: “Our view as a parish council is that if we do not stand up for our neighbourhood plan, Badby as we know it could be altered forever.”
Plans to build 48 homes on the edge of another Northamptonshire village have recently been given the green light, despite similar concerns that the decision would undermine local participation in planning.