Out-Law / Your Daily Need-To-Know

Council backs £60m Towcester urban extension scheme

16 May 2013, 2:43 pm

South Northamptonshire Council's development control committee has approved outline proposals by developers Persimmon Homes and Bloor Homes to build 2,750 new homes on a 180 hectare site to the south of Towcester.

The scheme will also include two primary schools as well as 15 ha of employment space, a local centre and a 200-bed hotel. The Council said the scheme was expected to create 2,800 new permanent jobs for the area.

Approval of the scheme will be subject to a legal agreement between the Council and the developers under which the developers will be required to make financial contributions towards community services including education, public transport and highways.

“This is a major decision for South Northamptonshire Council," said development control committee chairman Stephen Clarke. "The new investment will ensure that Towcester grows as a town in a way that is appropriate for a rural district."

"I welcome the fact that the developers have taken such care to address the Towcester Masterplan in their proposals, with new employment space and a relief road which will reduce the traffic impact on the town centre. The council has worked hard to ensure that the development has substantial green space and that all buildings will be of a good design,” he said.

“We are delighted with the decision which paves the way for the delivery of much needed new housing and the all-important relief road which many people in the town have been seeking for many, many years," said Persimmon Special Projects divisional managing director Nick Scregg.

“We are delighted that this decision reflects a good result for the town and its people. Of course, it will take many years to complete this project, but we can now say that the scheme will become a reality,” Scregg said.

"We firmly believe that the high standards of detail and planning which support the proposals will ensure that this development will be seen as a flagship site for housing development excellence. Over the next few months, we will be finalising the legal agreement with South Northamptonshire Council which will enable the planning permission to be issued,” he added.

The Council said that the legal agreement was expected to take "several months" to complete because of the size of the development. It said that a formal decision was expected to be made before the end of the year. If approved, this will be followed by submission of detailed plans which will be made available for public consultation.