Up to 46 homes at Land at Welford Road, Creaton

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for up to 46 homes, including 40% affordable housing, open space, drainage, landscaping and access from Welford Road.

“Development: Outline application for the erection of up to 46 homes (including 40% affordable), provision of open space, drainage features, landscaping and other ancillary works. All matters reserved except means of vehicular access from Welford Road.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 2.76-hectare site is undeveloped agricultural land beside Creaton, with grassland, hedgerows, trees, a pond and countryside beyond.

“The application site comprises approximately 2.76 hectares of undeveloped land located on the southern edge of Creaton, fronting Welford Road. The site lies immediately adjacent to the existing built form of the village and forms part of a wider area of open land beyond the established settlement edge.”

“Residential development along the western side of Welford Road extends directly up to the site boundary and comprises a mix of detached and semi-detached dwellings of varying scale and design. A residential development is also currently under construction on land at Teeton Lane to the south-west, extending the built form of the village in this direction.”

Officer report

Planning history

There is no direct planning history, although an adjacent site is being built out under permission for 18 homes.

“No direct planning history but the adjacent site is currently being built out under DA/2018/1129 for 18 dwellings.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Technical consultees ultimately raised no objections subject to controls, while the parish council and others supported the proposal.

“The following consultees have raised no objections to the application: • WNC Highways and Right of Way, • WNC Lead Local Flood Authority Drainage Team (reconsultation response), • WNC Ecology (reconsultation response), • WNC Arboricultural Officer…”

“The following consultees are in support of the application: • Creaton Parish Council, • WNC Design Officer and • Ramblers Association.”

Officer report

What local people said

Objectors cited countryside loss, village character, infrastructure, drainage, traffic, highway safety and ecology; supporters cited affordable homes, local need and services.

“Objections: • The proposed development is considered disproportionate in scale relative to the size and role of Creaton as a Secondary Service Village. • The proposal would represent a significant increase in the village population and housing stock and is not considered to constitute sustainable or organic growth. • The site lies outside the village confines and within the open countryside, contrary to the spatial strategy of the Development Plan.”

“Support: • Support for the delivery of affordable housing, particularly given the perceived lack of affordable housing opportunities in Creaton and the surrounding area. • The proposal would assist local people, younger households and those wishing to remain within the village to access housing. • Recognition of a need for additional housing within Creaton and West Northamptonshire. • Support for the provision of 40% affordable housing.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A resident spoke against the application; the parish council representative, ward member and applicant’s agent addressed the committee.

The committee debate

Members heard that conditions would manage sewage and that Anglian Water had confirmed sufficient local sewage capacity.

“During the debate, Members of the Committee heard that conditions had been proposed to manage sewage, and that Anglian Water had confirmed that sufficient capacity existed in the local sewage network to support the proposed development.”

Minutes

The vote

The motion to approve was supported by eight votes, opposed by none, with one abstention.

“It was proposed by Councillor Bob Purser and seconded by Councillor Alexander McMurtry that application 2026/1111/MAO be approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation. The motion was put to the vote with eight votes cast in favour of the proposal, no votes cast against with one abstention, therefore the motion was carried, and the application was approved.”

Minutes

The decision

Authority was delegated to grant permission subject to a Section 106 agreement securing contributions and affordable housing, plus the report’s conditions.

“(1) That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to grant permission to application 2026/1111/MAO subject to:”

“40% affordable housing provision, • The provision of public open space provision and maintenance, • Provision of biodiversity net gain management and monitoring, • A Travel Plan monitoring contribution (£5,000), • Revenue contribution towards the public bus services enhancements at £1000.00 per dwelling - £46,000 in total. • Taster bus tickets and marketing contribution per dwelling currently £219.20 - £10,083.20 in total.”

Minutes