Hundreds sign petition against homes plan for former home of Weldon United Football Club

They are opposed to plans by Mulberry Property Development Limited to build 30 dwellings at the football club in Oundle Road, Weldon.

A petition with 660 names on it has been handed to the ward councillors for Weldon and Gretton, with a further petition carrying 240 signatures expected to be submitted soon.

Ward councillors Cllrs Rob McKellar, Kevin Watt and Bridget Watts have raised their objections to the plans and have asked to speak at the meeting when Corby Council’s development control committee considers the application.

While the football club no longer plays at the site after relocating to the Rockingham Triangle Stadium in Corby, people are concerned about the loss of the green, recreational space.

The ward councillors have said they are objecting to the plans on the grounds of loss of amenity, overdevelopment, visual impact, highways, community safety and parking, and numerous other objections have been lodged with Corby Council.

One letter from a Weldon resident said: “As all the other residents on Woodside Park, I am appalled by the application.

“It has been a football club for 100 years and is a very important part of the village which is already being spoilt by the houses about to be built opposite the park.

“I strongly oppose the application and sincerely hope it will not be passed.

“Weldon needs to be kept as the village it is, not a giant housing estate.”

Another objection letter says: “Surely it is in the ‘public interest’ to leave such a valued piece of recreational ground, which is much enjoyed, free of the developers when there will be many more people around to share in it when all the extra houses are built just over the road at Weldon Park.

“There is so much building going on there and at Priors Hall that it seems outrageous that the football field would be taken away for a mere 30 dwellings and in the process upsetting so many people.

“We strongly object to this facility being taken away from us.

“One small piece of green amidst all the building taking place.”

Documents submitted as part of the planning application say the proposed development would include ‘30 per cent affordable dwelling for Weldon’s community’ and that it will provide a mix of high quality dwellings and bungalows.

They also state: “Our vision is to create an appealing safe residential environment, which will successfully assimilate into its surroundings.”

To see the plans in full, search for 15/00455/DPA on the planning section of Corby Council’s website at www.corby.gov.uk.