'Don't Dump Housing on Northampton's Doorstep' - says Lib Dem

11.30.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 29th Jul 2008

Plans for 1,250 houses at Buckton Fields being considered by Northampton Borough Council's Planning Committee on Wednesday have been described by Andrew Simpson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North, as amounting to housing being 'dumped on Northampton's doorstep'.

"These plans pay little attention to the impact on Northampton" said Andrew "There are already severe problems in Kingsthorpe with traffic congestion it is simply madness to be considering a development that creates more traffic before the existing problems are sorted.

Similarly we already have GP surgeries oversubscribed in the Kingsthorpe area and building more houses to the north of the town - even with a new surgery included - will not ease the problem.

The developers seem to believe that creating a park and ride site and putting on some extra buses will solve the traffic issues - yet in 2000 it was felt this development couldn't take place without a new by-pass. Now they seem to think it's not needed. It doesn't add up.

This development is driven by the Government's growth plans for the Northampton Area and the fear that housing targets will not be met in the next 5 years. It amounts to dumping a large housing estate on Northampton's doorstep which will do nothing to improve the quality of life for people already living here. The Planning Committee should object to it in the strongest possible terms".

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Northampton Borough Council Planning Committee is being consulted on plans for 1,250 at land at Brampton Lane, Broughton (known as Buckton Fields) at its meeting on 30th July.