New-build plans approved despite village concerns

Plans for homes to be built near a village have been approved, despite more than 200 objections from residents.

West Northamptonshire Council approved the development of 19 homes, including seven affordable houses, set to be built on Barby Road, toward the western edge of Kilsby, near Rugby.

Committee members met on Thursday to discuss the application and heard from the applicants, alongside objections from local residents, Kilsby Parish Council and representatives of Kilsby Action Group.

Kilsby Parish Council spoke against the plans, claiming the development on green space could threaten the "character, beauty and tranquility" of the village.

Objections were backed by 234 letters from members of the public arguing against the development.

One objector wrote: "Please don't wreck our village, we moved here for peace."

Kilsby Action Group said the proposed housing would be built outside the confines of the village and would cause an "incongruous isolated incursion" into the open countryside.

Their other objections included the proposed access route, which they felt was dangerous, and the lack of amenities in the village, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The applicant, Richborough Estates, reduced the size of the development after originally submitting plans to build 44 homes on a larger site in 2021.

The developer said: "The Barby Road site represents an exciting opportunity to provide a new residential community which is both considered and responsive to the local character."

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