Flood plain homes given planning nod

A new housing estate consisting of 176 homes has been granted planning permission despite fears the development may cause flooding.
West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) approved the David Wilson Homes scheme at a meeting on Wednesday night (March 9).
The homes will be built in a 16-acre field between the Grand Union Canal and the A43 in Banbury Lane, West Hunsbury. It will consist of a mix of one to five bedroom homes with at least 35 per cent being affordable housing. It also comes with a section 106 agreement meaning £3.17million will be available to improve infrastructure in the area.
A large open public space will also be built, including two play areas, an adventure zone for older youths and adults and dry ponds as part of a drainage system.
The plans received a total of 40 representations from concerned Banbury Lane residents, with opponents worried about increased traffic on the A43 and M1 at peak times, the increased potential of accidents involving children, noise and air pollution, a loss of green space and privacy, poor public transport provision and an increase in anti-social behaviour from problem youths.
But the biggest concerns centered on the potential flood risk, with the proposals encroaching onto the flood plain of the Grand Union Canal.
However, the planning committee dismissed these fears following advice from the Environment Agency that suggested the new development would not increase the risk of flooding.