Plans for 700-home Rothwell development set to be approved

Kettering councillors have been called to a special planning meeting to discuss plans for Rothwell North.

Persimmon Homes first submitted plans for the development in June 2007, which includes the houses, a local centre, extension to Montsaye Academy’s playing fields and a number of access roads and pedestrian and cycle routes.

Now, nearly 10 years later, the plans are recommended for approval subject to Section 106 obligations and a number of conditions.

Construction could start as soon as permission is granted.

A planning document reads: “Persimmon Homes Midlands has an ambitious development programme for 2017 onwards which necessitates some large sites coming forward if the rate of construction required to meet these housing targets is to be achieved.

“Of the sites in the pipeline, Rothwell North is the most advanced and will enable the greatest contribution to be made, particularly as the company does not have any development sites in the immediate area.

“Persimmon Homes is therefore in a position to be able to commit to commencing construction on site as soon as the requisite permissions have been issued.”

The first phase of work would see the proposed local centre and affordable units close to Desborough Road built. Fifty units could be built by 2018/19.

One hundred houses would then built per year until completion in 2025/26, with a strategic link road built by 2021/22.

Rothwell Town Council feels the strategic link road between the A6 bypass and B576 should be built first.

It also wants any Section 106 money to be spent on traffic improvements in the town and to ensure provisions for Rothwell Corinthians Football Club.

Desborough Town Council raised no formal objection but expressed concern over the safety of the roundabout at the junction of Greening Road and the B576.

Residents also objected, saying that the health service, schools and roads could not cope with an extra 700 houses.

The meeting starts at 6.30pm in the council chamber in Bowling Green Road.