Plans submitted for new local centre

Plans have been submitted to build a new local services centre on the edge of a village.

Ekeney Consulting has applied to West Northamptonshire Council to build the complex off Northampton Road in Brixworth, close to the village's cricket and tennis club.

It would feature facilities including a supermarket, gymnasium, local convenience store and pharmacy.

However, Brixworth Parish Council has submitted an objection to the scheme, saying it does not support it "at this time".

The council is due to make a decision on whether to approve the plans by 15 August.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the development will also comprise offices, small business units and a drive-through coffee shop.

Proposals state that the applicant is already in discussions with "one of the country’s largest retailers" to provide the supermarket.

Designs also set out a street of 16 affordable homes to the west of the cricket club and a brand-new spa and wellness centre by the existing access road leading in from Northampton Road.

The new local services car park would contain 100 parking spaces, along with a further 74 bays for the spa retreat.

The existing tennis club and cricket club would continue to occupy the adjacent site, however it is envisaged that management and ownership would be transferred across to a community interest company.

There have been several previous iterations of the same scheme submitted to the council which have not come to fruitition, but this is the first plan to put forward a residential offer.

Planning documents state that "the applicant is aware of strong interest locally for community and leisure facilities", adding that "this proposal will provide substantial benefits to the community of Brixworth" and the surrounding area.

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