This is our last chance to save Old Stratford floodplain from being developed on. Please submit your comments before 24 July 2024 to help us reach over 200 objections.
8 REASONS WHY WE CARE
(AND YOU SHOULD TOO)
USE CASE NUMBER 3343140
We are fully supportive of Labour’s 5-year plan to build 1.5-million new homes on “grey belt” land whilst protecting “greenbelt” land. We need to remind the Secretary of State and our local MPs that we must protect Old Stratford’s last remaining green belt of land that sits outside the village confines from being lost to this proposed development that goes against local and national housing planning policy.
THE APPEAL'S MAIN ARGUMENTS
USE CASE NUMBER 3343140
THE DEVELOPER’S SAY:
This housing proposal addresses a need for affordable housing in Old Stratford.
WHAT WE SAY:
The developer’s have not asked the parish council if there was a need for affordable housing in Old Stratford because the law does not require them to do so. However, the parish council has clearly asserted its objection to the developer’s proposal on these grounds. The parish council says there is no legitimate need for additional affordable housing in the village as there is already existing affordable housing stock in the village that is currently unallocated.
THE DEVELOPER’S SAY:
The proposed development will enhance our rural community.
WHAT WE SAY:
By taking away our last quiet meadow (which equates to being our village’s greenbelt land), used by hundreds of our local community, we would cease to be a rural village community.
The village is at it’s maximum capacity, demonstrated by the fact that the proposed site is outside the confines of the village. Over-development in the last 30 years (compared to settlements of similar and larger size) has trebled the size of the village whereby all the green spaces up to the A5 and Buckingham by-pass have been infilled. This is the last piece of green space left for the residents to use and in no way enhances Old Stratford’s rural community.
THE DEVELOPER’S SAY:
The proposed development will improve social conditions.
WHAT WE SAY:
Local schools and doctors have previously submitted their comments to declare that they are already at full capacity. The proposed development would burden these service providers with 32 additional households which would detract from existing social conditions for village residents.
As our last remaining green space in Old Stratford, removing this land from use could have serious mental health repercussions to current users, potentially adding to the burden on local health provision.
By removing this green space, current dog walkers will be forced to use the playing field which could potentially render it useless for children to play safely due to dog mess being present.
THE DEVELOPER’S SAY:
The proposed development will improve environmental conditions.
WHAT WE SAY:
The proposed development will remove oak trees, damage roots of protected trees, devastate wildlife habitats, bat colonies, pheasant shelters, diverse hedging and grassland used by several protected bird species, and concrete over floodplain and footpaths, all of which will in no way improve environmental conditions.
Going ahead with the proposed development will rob our local community of our last quiet meadow – the only place we have left in Old Stratford village to hear beautiful birdsong like the dawn chorus and to enjoy being close to nature.
THE DEVELOPER’S SAY:
The proposed development will improve economic conditions.
WHAT WE SAY:
Following the proposed development, it is likely that many affected people will choose to sell and move to other rural villages that have green spaces to use. This could adversely affect local house prices and result in a loss of local community.
The developer argues that new residents can work in Milton Keynes and shop in Stony Stratford, both of which are in Milton Keynes City Council’s area of jurisdiction. If this were to happen, it would not improve economic conditions in Old Stratford itself or even to West Northants as a whole. Instead, it would adversely affect local economic conditions.
THE DEVELOPER’S SAY:
The proposed development respects the quality of tranquility.
WHAT WE SAY:
As outlined by the developer, the proposed development will require 2 years of building work. This will incur the noise of piling that will be intrusive to residents as far afield as Deanshanger, Passenham and Stony Stratford. With the construction vehicles further contributing to noise, air and light pollution and increasing traffic on local roads during this time, all existing tranquility in this vicinity will be destroyed!
Surely a more tranquil quality of living for local people is to retain their greenfield land rather than have it concreted over, especially when this land is their last remaining green space that characterises the village as a charming rural area, continues to provide valuable green space for recreation, and gives a home to nature at a time of climate and ecological (and mental health) crises.
We are grateful to West Northamptonshire Council for acting on what they’ve heard from local people to inform taking a more strategic approach to their new housing plans. As such, old, unsustainable proposals for 6000 houses to be built running down the A508 from Furtho, crossing the A5 and heading toward Deanshanger have been replaced by new plans to build houses across the whole district instead. Sites in and around Northampton and the employment land at junction 15, 15a, 16 and 17 on the M1 are being targeted for these new housing developments where supporting public services and infrastructure will be more beneficial to local communities than eating away at greenfield village edges ever could. We hope WNC’s rationale for such changes to their housing targets is considered in this appeal decision.
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USE CASE NUMBER 3343140
