Over 100 modular homes approved in Northampton
West Northamptonshire Council says the new homes will help provide safe accommodation for those facing homelessness.
Plans to build 108 modular homes across two sites in Northampton have been approved at committee, despite concerns raised over safeguarding and residential amenity.
The first set of 70 homes will go forward on the Claret Car Park on Edgar Mobbs Way, close to the Sixfields stadium. The next 38 units are sited on the former Lings Upper School site off Billing Brook Road, which was demolished over 10 years ago, near the Northampton Academy.
Both proposals, which were submitted by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), will provide a mixture of one and two-bedroom temporary accommodation units, as well as a residents’ community hub, laundry room, site office, and children’s play area.
Speaking at the planning meeting on Thursday evening (February 5), cabinet member for housing Charlie Hastie said the schemes were “an unusual solution to a very urgent problem” of homelessness.
He explained that the council is currently providing temporary accommodation to around 750 households, but that over half are placed in accommodation the council does not own, such as HMOs and hotels which are procured on a nightly paid basis.
He said: “This model ensures that the households experiencing homelessness are provided with a safe, secure and stable environment, while receiving structured support to move back into private or social-rented housing.
“During consultation, concerns were raised that the proposed accommodation could be used for asylum seekers. Council can confirm this is not the case – the accommodation is intended solely for households who have a legal right to remain in the UK and are eligible for public funds.”
According to the report, eight letters of objection were submitted across both sites.
Local councillor John East raised concerns that the existing business next to the proposed car park location would expose future residents of the modular homes to “round-the-clock, noise, light and air pollution”.
Speaking on the plans for the former upper school site, the principal of Northampton Academy, Owen Jones, told councillors there were risks from increased public access near the school site and the homes’ direct line of sight onto the playground.
He added: “I want to be absolutely clear from the outset, this is not a minor neighbour issue, it is a safeguarding issue.”
Responding to concerns, agent to the applicant Michael O’Connell said the council’s environmental protection team were satisfied that noise and air quality impact from industrial uses next to the car park site wouldn’t be detrimental to future residents.
He also addressed comments on the school site, saying that having housing next to schools was “far from unusual” and that there was a 50 metre separation distance as well as vegetation in between. He also said that housing services would prioritise accommodating families in these particular units.
Both applications for the 108 modular homes were approved by the planning committee.