Decision on 114 homes delayed over quality concerns

A decision on a proposed 114-home scheme has been delayed because of concerns the plans would deliver "second-rate" housing.

Developers Stonebond Properties Ltd submitted an application to West Northamptonshire Council for the Middlemore estate in Daventry.

Planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved, but Daventry Town Council expressed concern over inappropriate parking spaces, and there were also questions about play areas and the size of gardens.

Liberal Democrat councillor Sally Beardsworth told the planning committee: "I've never had a report that's said we're going with it even though it's second-rate, virtually; I don't believe that we should be providing homes for people that are not the best we can do."

The land, situated near Heartlands Business Park and Drayton Reservoir, was originally allocated for housing in the 1997 Daventry Local Plan.

In 2018, the site was intended for a retirement care village and while a care home was built, the rest of the proposed development, including assisted living housing and a community centre, did not materialise.

A Stonebond Properties representative said, "After 27 years, the principle for housing here is well established, and it is time for this site to deliver quality housing for local people."

Labour councillor Harry Barrett also had concerns and highlighted the lack of amenities.

"We have to set these environments up for people to use them. We all see the need [for housing], we're just duty bound to make sure we're doing it in the best interest of those inhabitants for the next 100 years," he said.

A council officer said: "What we tried to do is strike the balance between maintaining the delivery of homes, being realistic of what you can achieve in the market at the time and then delivering a reasonable quality scheme."

Local Democracy Reporting Service said the planning committee at the Conservative-run council asked planning officers and developers to renegotiate improvements to the scheme, including play areas, garden sizes and parking.

The proposal would then be revisited at committee after discussions were complete.

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