Victory for Weldon campaigners as 'common sense prevails'

An opposed housing scheme in Weldon has been roundly rejected by council planners after local people said that it would cause flooding and access issues.

The proposal for nine houses on unmade Larratt Road had been fiercely opposed by people living nearby who formed an action group to make their voices heard.

This week, planning officers at Corby Borough Council rejected the plans after the local highways authority said the access was unsuitable and after Weldon Parish Council lodged their own objection on grounds including flood risk and access.

Councillor David Sims, who chairs the action group, said: "It was a tough fight but we got through it. The community stood together and used policy to fight the application.

"It's a positive win for local people. Common sense prevailed.

"We are also pleased that Anglian Water have now recognised that the lagoon has passed its useful life and we are hoping that action can now be taken on that issue."

The Corby Council officer report states: "The site can be accessed via an existing un-adopted narrow track which stretches from Larratt Road to the south. The submitted layout plan suggests that a new access road linking to A43 roundabout will be created to facilitate the proposed development.

"In this respect it is noted that the land which is the subject of this application is located outside the existing built up area and lacks adequate physical and social infrastructure. As such, it is considered to be located in an unsustainable location.

"Given the location, land use and amount of development proposed within the site, it is considered that the relationship of the site to the existing development, the topography of the surroundings, the nature of the site boundaries and the likely works required to create an appropriate access and visibility splays, the proposed development would appear incongruous within the landscape, poorly related to the existing built form of the settlement.

"Therefore, would cause a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the landscape and area in general."