Call for Pen Green balancing lakes to be protected as it is marketed for sale by Government

Kevin Watt, who has lived in the area for 35 years and is a former Conservative Corby councillor, says that the large area around the lakes could be used to meet biodiversity targets.

But the owner Homes England, the Government’s agency that manages its land and building holdings, says the valuable grassed area is being marketed, so it could soon fall into private ownership.

The green space is owned by Homes England with a small section owned by Metropolitan Housing, with the waterways owned by Anglian Water.

Now Mr Watt says the entire area could be protected if the council designates it in its local plan for Biodiversity Net Gain.

He says the area has become an important natural space for local residents and wildlife.

“My children played on this green space, and many local dog owners enjoy walking there,” he said.

“The land is clearly ideal to be set aside for Biodiversity Net Gain.”

The land, adjacent to the Pen Green balancing lakes, is being marketed for industrial development and has had various schemes mooted in the past, including a large housing estate. Mr Watt argues the site would instead make a valuable addition to the green corridors outlined in North Northamptonshire Council’s sustainability plans.

“It already supports a wide range of wildlife and plant life,” he said. “Birds, insects, reptiles, deer, wild plants and mature trees could all be lost if the site is developed.”

What is Biodiversity Net Gain?

Under current planning rules, most new developments — including housing, industrial and commercial schemes — must deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). This means developers are legally required not only to replace habitats lost through construction, but to improve biodiversity overall by at least 10 per cent.

Mr Watt believes the Pen Green site would be an ideal location to help achieve those targets while also protecting an established local green space.

He has also raised concerns about flood management in the area.

Willow Brook North runs alongside the site and acts as a major drainage route for surface water from large parts of northern Corby, including Studfall Avenue, Welland Vale Road, Occupation Road and Stephenson Way.

Although much of the brook is culverted through the urban area, Mr Watt says the surrounding land currently acts as a natural soakaway during periods of heavy rainfall.

“In winter, large puddles regularly form on the site,” he said. “With forecasts predicting wetter winters in future, this land plays an important role in absorbing excess rainwater.”

He added that the nearby Pen Green lakes also form part of the area’s wider flood management system by helping control water levels through a sluice connected to Willow Brook North.

The brook goes over the railway line in an aqueduct before continuing through the industrial estate, past the former Rockingham Motor Speedway site and towards Priors Hall and into the lakes on the Deene Estate.

Mr Watt questioned the need for further warehouse development adjacent to homes in Corby, arguing that the town already has a significant amount of industrial space, some of which remains unoccupied.

“Corby is already overflowing with warehouses,” he said. “It is difficult to understand why another speculative warehouse development would be needed, particularly so close to long- established homes.”

He said that if development were eventually approved, the council should impose strict conditions to protect nearby residents.

“This land should provide a buffer between industry and people, not bring industrial activity right up to residents’ back gardens,” he added.

Mr Watt also revealed that he contacted the council’s sustainability department two years ago following a presentation on biodiversity and sustainability, highlighting what he believed was an opportunity to preserve the site.

He said he later escalated the matter to senior officers after initially receiving no response. Mr Watt also contacted Homes England in 2025 requesting that the land be designated for Biodiversity Net Gain purposes. However, he said he was informed that the agency did not consider the site suitable for such use.

Despite this, Mr Watt believes the land remains an important environmental asset for Corby and says it should be protected rather than developed for further warehousing.

A North Northamptonshire Council spokeswoman said: “We would be willing to engage with the landowner of this site to help them understand the best use of the land and the opportunities to provide nature recovery and habitat improvements in this area, alongside public access.

We would always encourage that any landowner looking to develop a site uses the council’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy as a guidance document to help provide the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.”

A Homes England spokesperson said: “Homes England has reviewed its land holdings for BNG offsetting, and the Land at Pen Green, Corby is not currently identified for this use.

"The site is being prepared for market, with a range of potential uses considered in line with best consideration obligations.”