My name is Charlotte. I live in Northamptonshire and like many fellow residents I am deeply concerned about the negative impact on our community of the Buckton Fields housing development on the edge of Northampton and the proposed traffic mitigation scheme, the North West Relief Road (NWRR). 

This entire development is a disaster for the area. In particular, The North West Relief Road is not a mitigation scheme for the Buckton Fields development. It is the road to traffic chaos and will itself require major mitigation. I am taking legal action to quash the decision to proceed with development. Please contribute what you can and share this page with friends, family and on social media.

Case Background

In September 2018, Daventry District Council (DDC) granted planning permission for the second phase of the 1050-dwelling Buckton Fields development, on land owned by Northamptonshire County Council at the edge of Northampton.

In the case officer's verbal and written reports to the planning committee, it was acknowledged that the Buckton Fields development would have adverse traffic impacts in an area already congested and at traffic capacity.  

The major mitigation scheme is NWRR, yet this was neither fully funded nor has planning permission. Further, Northamptonshire Highways' own data (acquired via a Freedom of Information request) revealed that with the NWRR in place traffic is predicted to increase by 87% on Brampton Lane, which runs alongside Buckton Fields.

The A508 in Kingsthorpe is one of the most polluted roads in the county.  The image below was taken in 2013 before the first stage of Buckton Fields (376 dwellings) was built. It wasn't brought to the DDC planning committee's attention that the road scheme held up to be the solution (the NWRR) will bring no relief. This road will dump thousands of vehicles at the bottom of Brampton Lane and Welford Road (opposite the Windhover pub) with nowhere to go but onto roads and into communities already suffering the consequences of congestion, poor air quality and rat runners.

Rather than spelling out potential issues with the NWRR, a Daventry District Council officer told the planning committee that the road was funded and "is all that is required to mitigate the impact of this development".

Like so many parts of Northamptonshire, thousands of houses are being built in this area. Valuable green spaces and wildlife habitats are being sacrificed as cash-strapped local authorities appear more concerned with short-term financial gain than the current and future well-being of residents, nor in genuinely tackling the shortage of truly affordable housing.

The legal system, sadly, seems to have more clout than the ballot box when it comes to planning. Northamptonshire is a special place. It deserves protection. Standing together, residents have a powerful voice. So, let's tell the world that enough is enough. Chaotic, unsustainable development must stop.

My Legal Challenge 

If this challenge is successful, the Buckton Fields planning application will be quashed. Yes, there is a strong chance that a new application would be brought to Daventry District Council but the community taking a stand sends a powerful message to both developers and our local authorities that we've had enough. I care about the future of this county, its people and environment.

For too long planning committees appear to have lived in fear of legal challenges by developers. It is time the worm turned. 

On 30th November, my solicitors sent a "letter before claim" to Daventry District Council and other interested parties on my behalf, as the claimant. This indicates that a claim for Judicial Review may occur. 

How much I'm raising and why? 

The costs up to this point have been met. There is a matter of days to decide whether to go ahead with a full claim. This decision will be made by how quickly a fund can be amassed. 

Initially I am seeking to raise £5,000 for initial legal costs and a review of the case to make a decision if I can proceed with a full judicial review. If I choose to proceed I will then need to raise significantly more funds in my 'stretch' target. Should the initial funding target not be hit, donors' cards are not charged.

If you care about Northamptonshire and are fed up with the unsustainable way developments are being foisted on communities without proper services and mitigation schemes, while sacrificing precious green space, what is there to lose in throwing in £20, £50 or whatever you feel able?

Thanks for your support!