The developer’s appeal has been successful and has overturned West Northamptonshire Council’s decision to refuse the development proposal on the floodplain land east of the Meadows, Old Stratford.
Despite the Planning Inspector’s conclusion, local residents have legitimate concerns that were not fully addressed, particularly regarding flood risk, infrastructure strain, and landscape impact.
Below is an example of email content for you to personalise and tailor to your situation when writing to your local MP and/or councillors. Our request to them is that they call for independent assessments to be carried out for flood risk and infrastructure impact, and that Local Plan policies are reassessed in context with the surrounding area.
Example Email to Send to Local MPs and Councillors
MP email addresses:
- MP for Milton Keynes North: Chris Curtis – Labour MP 📧 chris.curtis.mp@parliament.uk
- MP for South Northamptonshire (Old Stratford): Sarah Bool – Conservative MP 📧 sarah.bool.mp@parliament.uk
Find out who your local councillors are and their contact information here: https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-councillors
Subject: Urgent – Local Development Risks Flooding, Infrastructure Collapse & Loss of Rural Character. Please Help!
Dear <<MP or Councillor name>>
I am writing as a concerned resident of << Old Stratford/ Stony Stratford >> regarding the recent planning appeal decision allowing development at land east of The Meadows, Old Stratford (Appeal Ref: APP/W2845/W/24/3343140). This decision presents serious flooding risks, inadequate infrastructure provision, and irreversible damage to our village’s rural character.
Key Issues:
- Flood Risk: The SuDS drainage pond is planned in an area already prone to flooding from the River Ouse, raising the risk of system failure and water runoff threatening homes in Stony Stratford. No independent review has been conducted, despite past concerns about inaccurate flood risk data.
- Inadequate Infrastructure & Unsustainable Transport:
- Local schools are already over capacity, with no guarantee that financial contributions will provide additional spaces in time.
- GP surgeries and healthcare services are overstretched, and this development will exacerbate long waiting times.
- The lack of viable public transport links makes the development wholly car-dependent, undermining Net Zero goals and sustainable transport policies.
- Local roads cannot accommodate the additional traffic, increasing congestion and worsening air pollution.
- Loss of Rural Character & Overdevelopment:
- This site is Old Stratford’s last natural open green space, its destruction fundamentally alters the village’s character.
- The cumulative impact of traffic, loss of green space, and increased housing density erodes the area’s rural identity, directly contradicting Local Plan policies that safeguard settlements like ours.
- Numerous similar UK appeals have been dismissed due to harm to rural character—why is Old Stratford being ignored?
Our Requests:
We urge you to:
- Call for an independent flood risk review before construction proceeds.
- Support an independent infrastructure impact assessment to determine whether existing services can realistically absorb this development.
- Press for a reassessment of the Local Plan policies in light of the cumulative impact of housing developments in this area.
- Demand that the SuDS pond be relocated to higher ground to prevent a man-made flood disaster.
This is a defining moment for Old Stratford and Stony Stratford. If left unchallenged, this development will set a precedent for uncontrolled expansion without proper infrastructure or environmental safeguards.
Please confirm how you will take action to support the residents who put their trust in you.
Kind regards,
<< Your name>>
<< Your address>>
<<Your contact details>>
