Buckton Fields are again under threat of development from the Ensign Group, a subsidiary of Martin Grant Homes. Their previous attempt to develop 1,000 houses on the land was stopped shortly before permission was granted when the government amended the Planning Policy Guidance for green belt land in 2001.

This time they were proposing to build 1,500 'homes'(now ammended to 1,250ish), comprising of two to four bedroom houses and apartments, a small area designated for employment, some land put aside for a primary school and local centre; under the terms of the development they are required by the county council to provide an area for 'park and ride'. From the pictures depicted in their brochure it appears relatively few of the 'homes' are below three stories in height.

We are realistic to the fact that new housing needs to be built in the United Kingdom, but are sceptical as to whether Northampton is currently capable of 'sustaining' the massive expansion in its population. More to the point, how can Ensign pass this off as important when there are currently tens of thousands of houses being built or planned for development in and around Northampton?

more

Buckton Fields are, well just that, green fields. The Northamptonshire County Council currently leases two thirds of the fields lying to the west of the proposed development to farmer Adrian Smith, his farm produce is sold direct to the public from his shop on the fields. The other third are open fields and are currently used by many local residents for recreational purposes. Ensign have recently announced that they intend to allow the Farm Shop to operate as just a shop, denuding it of any farmland! What good is a farm shop without a farm as a fresh supply of produce?

The fields are located on the northern outskirts of Northampton, and are directly adjacent to the Northampton suburbs of Whitehills and Spring Park to the south and the village of Boughton to the East. It lies between and is serviced by the A508 Harborough Road to the east and the A5199 Welford Road to the west. Brampton Lane runs directly across the top of the fields. Buckton Fields are not in the Urban Development Area for either Northampton or Daventry. Click the map for more detailed location information.

You don't have to become a militant protester, unless of course you really want to, although apathy never stopped anything. You can definitely make a difference though. Join one of the residents groups fighting for your opinions to be heard, do as little or as much as you like, and you will be very welcome. Use the links to take some affirmative action.

• E-mail to the developer, let them know your thoughts
• Sign our On-Line Petition
• Join one of the residents groups
• Contribute to a fighting fund

If you live in the northern suburbs of Northampton or one of the neighbouring villages, you may think that this has little impact on you. You may be right, but have you thought about some of the issues below?

A Northamptonshire County Council survey shows Kingsthorpe as home to three of the most congested junctions in the county. Using Council figures we estimate that vehicles on the road will increase by over 5.5% as a consequence of this development. Ensign's solution? Park and Ride plus an additional bus lane on the Welford road.

The proposal is to be implemented in three stages, lasting many years. The provision for a Primary school in the plan will not happen until the third phase. This also applies to the local 'centre', which might contain a doctor or dental surgery. However, Ensign are not proposing to build these, merely designate the land for these to be built. No provision for secondary schooling nor even a nursery. Children will need to attend existing oversubscribed facilities within the area; getting children there also seems to be an afterthought.

The developer has only conducted geological surveys on one third of the site, that in the eastern section currently open to the public. How can they be confident that their computations for proposed run off are correct if they are unaware of what lies under the larger lower end of the section near the mill? Like most of the developers operating in and around Northampton, Ensign have based their flood provisions on a fictitious flood report, plus they seem to have ignored the proposal for 3,500 houses on Dallington Heath which drains into the same area.

Want to read more discussions?