Petition against new bridge design for Wellingborough's Stanton Cross scheme

The petition, entitled ‘Say no to changes of the River Ise bridge design’ was launched at the start of the month and has already attracted 182 signatures.

It comes after Bovis Homes Ltd, the company behind the 3,200-home development to the east of Wellingborough train station, applied to change the design and appearance of the proposed River Ise bridge that is to be constructed as part of the scheme.

The online petition states: “Wellingborough Council originally approved the design of the bridge when planning permission was granted for the Stanton Cross development in January 2008.

“The bridge that is currently approved by the council has brick pilasters and an arched fascia, to complement the historic curved bridges over the railway in the near vicinity.

“The changes to the bridge, as now proposed by Bovis Homes, seek to remove the brick pilasters and the arched fascia and will result in a bridge that no longer achieves the design principles required by the Wellingborough East Development Framework Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) November 2003.

“The new bridge will be viewed by all users of the north south route running adjacent to the River Ise through the proposed town park and River Ise country park.

“The original approved design for the bridge with pilasters and the arched fascia beam provides an aesthetic focal structure in the landscape that satisfies the key considerations of the SPG.

“We ask that Wellingborough Council refuse the application.”

Wellingborough Council’s planning committee will consider the proposed changes, but a date for this has not been set yet.

The Stanton Cross development was first considered in 1996.

Following several public exhibitions, consultations and revised plans, Wellingborough Council granted planning permission in 2008 and the ground-breaking ceremony for Stanton Cross took place last March.

The development is set to deliver 3,200 homes, 7,500 new jobs, an improved station, country park, two primary schools and land for a secondary school, a doctor’s surgery and shopping facilities for Wellingborough.

It will be the largest growth the town has seen since the 1960s, with construction of the first housing areas set to start next month.

For more information about the development go to www.stantoncross.co.uk.

To see the amended bridge plans search for WP/16/00064/AMD on the planning page of Wellingborough Council’s website.

To sign the petition, click here