Planning website shows more developments in Hartwell around the corner

The draft Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment has been published online by the West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit, these proposals, totalling 48,000 houses across Northamptonshire, include 5 potential development sites in Hartwell.

The Development Sites

Park Road

This is the Cross's Grange site, which has now been completed.

School Lane

This is the site, at the bottom of School Lane, who's recent planning proposal (in principle) was approved last week.

There is no mention of the second part of this field, where it was suggested at the planning meeting that the school may relocate too.

Lords Close, Park Road

This is the field, below the Blacksmith's Way estate and by Folly Lane. The plans show a proposed 41 units, 10 in 2013-14, 15 in 2014-15 and 16 in 2015-16.

Assessed as being "available, suitable and achiveable".

Park Road (part B)

This is the land to the West of Cross's Grange between the new development and the houses on Park Road. The plans show a proposed 15 units in 2011-12.

How up to date this proposal is can be questioned, as, judging by the new fencing, part of this land seems to be in the process of being added to the gardens of the houses on Park Road.

Assessed as being "available, suitable and achiveable".

Stoneway

This is the triangular land at the end of Stoneway along the end of the motorway, which I believe is currently a horse paddock. The plans show a proposed 43 units (13 in 2012-13 and 30 in 2013-14).

The plans mention that the noise from the M1 may restrict capacity, and that the land, whilst suitable, may not be available.

What does this mean?

The Joint Planning Unit are keen to point out that these sites may be development in the future and that the documents are only a starting point of possible sites. Critics however, such as the campaign group Northants Residents Alliance, see these plans as giving us the illusion of consulting the public on what is likely to be a done deal.

As far as Hartwell goes, it is clear that as a community we need a clear plan on where we want development, and what services need funding to support that development - as the recent development proposal has shown, very little time is available for a united response once formal plans are submitted, and without a clear plan we are at the mercy of, as the Northants Residents Alliance put it, "the sheriffs men!"

More information:

• Chronicle and Echo article - "Plans revealed for new homes"
• The Northants Residents Alliance website (there are links to the plans relating to all Northamptonshire towns and villages)
• The West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit website

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