The Strategic Planning Committee will be considering two planning applications, both of which are for reserved matters relating to parcels of land on the Towcester South Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE).

Parcels H23-H27 at Towcester Vale, Towcester (application 2024/4953/MAR)

The most significant item on the agenda is an application for approval of reserved matters for 246 dwellings on parcels H23-H27 of the Towcester South SUE. This phase, which is part of Phase 6 of the wider development, will include a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties, as well as two 2-bed bungalows.

Of the 246 dwellings, 22 will be designated as 'affordable'. These will be divided into four separate clusters ranging in size from 2 to 10 dwellings each. The report notes that:

The affordable units are appropriately ‘tenure blind’ and are well ‘pepper-potted’ through the development.

The application proposes to retain existing hedgerows and trees on the site where possible, with some exceptions to allow for road connections.

Three public rights of way – footpaths SB16 and SB29, and bridleway SB18 – cross the site. The application notes that SB16 and SB29 will need to be permanently diverted, and that this will be addressed in a later application.

The application also includes an application to approve the construction of the connecting section of the main internal spine road, which will include a bridge over the Burcote Brook. This is included in the application to allow planning officers to assess how utilities will be connected along the route.

Parcels H30a, H34a and H34b at Towcester Vale, Towcester (application 2024/4167/MAR)

The committee will also be considering a smaller application for reserved matters for 160 dwellings on parcels H30a, H34a and H34b of the Towcester South SUE. This application is for a mixture of 2, 3, and 4 bedroom dwellings. 16 (10%) of these will be designated as 'affordable' and will be grouped together in a single cluster.

The report notes that these houses will be the first built on the wider development by Barratt Homes:

This is the first development on this SUE by Barratt Homes (the main developer is Persimmon/Charles Church, with other parcels having been developed by Bloor Homes and David Wilson Homes).