Petition launched against Dallington Heath development

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd Jun 2006

Development could be forced on Dallington Heath

Northampton Borough Liberal Democrats have launched an online petition in opposition to the proposal to build 3,000 houses on Dallington Heath.

In an interview for BBC Radio Northampton, Lib Dem Councillor & Parliamentary Spokesperson for Northampton North Andrew Simpson said:

"The current consultation by the developers should be a wake up call to all those people who like me are opposed to development on Dallington Heath. It was people power than stopped plans in the past and we need to campaign again and let the planners and developers know what we think."

Developers first tabled the plans in 1998 but later withdrew a planning application due to lack of public support. If the development were to go ahead the main access route into town would be via the Cock Hotel junction, which is already a traffic black spot running at 130% capacity.

Cllr Sally Beardsworth, member for Kingsthorpe ward said:

"Besides our opposition to building on a green field site, we are extremely worried that the high density of housing that is being proposed will lead to flooding. Any increase in runoff would make the risk of flooding in Dallington, St James and Cotton much greater.

"Gardens would be virtually non-existent. There certainly won't be room for any croquet matches or children to play. What about schools and community facilities? Between the loss of green fields, the added flood risk, the extra congestion and the likely new road this development seems like a thoroughly bad idea."

To sign the online petition go to: www.northamptonlibdems.org.uk/petitions.php