Two village housing developments in the Daventry area have been refused permission.
Meeting on Wednesday night last week, Daventry District Council’s planning committee looked at proposals for 40 homes off Grants Hill Way in Woodford Halse, and 80 homes off Guilsborough Road in West Haddon.
The Woodford Halse plans were recommended for approval by the council’s planning officers who said, although the site was outside the village confines, and so breached policy, the council had previously granted permission for offices on the site.
Cllr Bob Patchett proposed going against the officers and refusing permission.
He said: “I propose we refuse permission as it’s beyond the confines of the village and it would have an adverse impact on the amenity of Woodford Halse.”
Councillors also raised concerns about flooding on the site, which is next to a field where 200 homes were recently approved, as well as the impact of extra traffic.
Cllr Liz Griffin said: “This piece of land lies between a service road to the industrial estate and a bridle path that’s well used and loved by residents.
“I’m very upset by this – our community is being targeted by developers with a disregard for traffic impact and flooding and the further requirements on our infrastructure.”
Cllr Wendy Randall said: “There’s a balancing pond there now, and I’ve seen it full to the brim already, so what will happen with the run-off from all these homes?”
Officers pointed out statutory consultees on flooding and roads had no concerns so objections on those grounds would be hard to defend.
Cllr Stephen Pointer said: “The residents object to this development, and I feel that as district councillors we should reflect their views and refuse it planning permission.”
The committee voted to refuse the site planning permission.
The proposal for West Haddon was recommended for refusal, for although it also lay outside the village confines, the site was within a designated special landscape area.
Lance Wiggins, the agent for the developers, told the meeting: “The council’s report shows only four letters of objection have been received, which is a very small number given the scale of the application.”
Councillors voted to follow officers’ advice and rejected the plans.