Q. Why have you submitted a separate planning application for
Buckton Fields East?
On 24 September 2007 the Secretary of State wrote to Daventry District Council confirming that the Buckton Fields site will remain in Daventry’s Local Plan to support the delivery of housing within the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Area.
Northampton is a regional growth centre and is to accommodate substantial new housing and employment as part of a government strategy for sustainable growth. In order to speed up the delivery of housing in the town, Ensign has decided to submit a separate planning application for Buckton Fields East – which broadly corresponds with the area referred to as Phase One in the outline planning application for the full Buckton Fields site.
Q. Isn't this site included in the overall Buckton Fields planning application?
Yes, it is included in the outline planning application for the whole Buckton Fields site which was submitted to Daventry District Council in November 2007.
Q. Is this a way of trying to push Daventry District Council into approving the planning application for the whole site?
No it isn’t. This application stands on its own and will go through the same rigorous planning process as any other application received by Daventry District Council.
Q. Which area of land is covered by the application?
Buckton Fields East broadly corresponds with that area of land identified as ‘Phase One’ in the outline planning application for the full Buckton Fields site. It lies on the eastern edge of the site and is bordered by Harborough Road North to the east, and Brampton Lane to the north.
TRANSPORT
Q. How will development of Buckton Fields East impact on traffic in the area?
To support the planning application, Ensign will be required to carry out a comprehensive Transport Assessment which will look at the accessibility and sustainability of the site, the traffic flows generated and the impact on the surrounding roads and junctions.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Q. Will any of the community facilities be incorporated in the development at Buckton Fields East?
The development proposals for this new site area are based upon the wider site proposals and will be purely residential, including approximately 500 dwellings plus the provision of public open spaces and play areas for young children.
Q. Will you be providing any new schools in this phase of the development?
Current schooling provision in the area is sufficient to provide for the additional population at Buckton Fields East.
However, the development proposals for the wider site do include provision for a new primary school.
Q. How is a decision made on the additional infrastructure required to support development at Buckton Fields East?
If planning consent is granted and implemented for Buckton Fields East, the development will be subject to conditions
and legal agreements identifying the contributions Ensign will have to make to address the impact of the development
on the local community and associated infrastructure.
The nature and precise level of those contributions will be set out in the legal contract known as the Section 106 agreement. The details of the agreement will be decided by the Local Planning Authority in consultation with a number of public and private sector bodies including education, transport and health authorities.
The Section 106 agreement is likely to address such issues as providing funds for traffic calming measures, new play facilities, tree planting, cycle paths, meeting places, affordable housing, education and health care facilities.
Q. Will there be any commercial premises on the Buckton Fields East site?
The development proposals for this new site area are based upon the wider site proposals and will be purely residential,
including approximately 500 dwellings with associated public open space.
Q. Will Smith's Farm Shop be affected by this application?
No, Smith’s Farm Shop will not be affected by this planning application.
HOUSING
Q. What type(s) of homes are you planning to build?
The Buckton Fields East development would be wholly residential and would be one of the lowest density areas in Buckton Fields. It would include two storey detached and semi-detached houses comprising a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom quality homes.
Homes fronting Harborough Road North would be sensitively developed to retain continuity with the existing development along the road.
How high will the buildings be?
The majority of buildings at Buckton Fields will be two storey, rising to about two and a half to three storeys along key frontages such as boundaries of central open spaces and feature squares. A slight variation in building heights throughout the development will help to create a more interesting street scene.
Q. What provision will there be for affordable housing?
Ensign will make provision for affordable housing as part of the overall development. The exact figure and mix of tenures will be determined in discussions with Daventry District Council and Northampton Borough Council.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Q. Will the development include provision for sustainable homes?
The Code for Sustainable Homes is one of the Government’s strategies to help encourage a number of sustainability issues. These include energy, water, pollution, surface water, materials, waste, health and well-being, management and ecology.
In accordance with Daventry District Council SPD, all homes within the Buckton Fields development would achieve the Code for Sustainable Homes level 3. In addition, Ensign is committed to using sustainable construction techniques where appropriate.
For example, carbon emissions would be reduced by 25 per cent compared with 2006 Building Regulations, low water use appliances would be fitted in homes to reduce water consumption and appropriate recycling facilities including suitable storage would be provided in all homes.
Wherever possible, reclaimed materials sourced from local sites or suppliers would be used during construction, a site waste management plan would be developed to reduce waste on site and the developers would register the site with the Considerate Contractors scheme.
THE PLANNING PROCESS
Q. When was the final planning application submitted to
Daventry District Council?
Ensign submitted a planning application for Buckton Fields East to Daventry District Council in April 2008. The application
has now been registered DA/2008/0500 and is available for members of the public to view at
the Council's website.
Q. What is the next stage of the planning process?
The registered application is subject to a formal, 21-day consultation process during which members of the public are invited to
feed back their comments on the plans to Daventry District Council. The Council's Planning Committee will take all relevant feedback
into account when making its decision.
Q. When will Daventry District Council make a decision on the application?
As a major planning application, Daventry District Council is normally required to determine the application within 16 weeks.
However, Ensign recognises that as a major proposal there may be issues which result in the determination period being extended
by mutual agreement.
Q. How can I provide Daventry District Council with my feedback on the application?
The registered application is subject to a formal, 21-day consultation process during which Daventry District Council will formally
consult with interested parties and accept feedback on the application from members of the public.
Any comments on the planning application should be sent to the Council's planning department at: Planning Department, Daventry District Council, Lodge Road, Daventry, NN11 4FP. All correspondence must include the application's registration number DA/2008/0500
