Pictured above: Will Charlton

Forty much-needed affordable homes are to be built in Northampton after councillors approved proposals put forward by Orbit Homes (2020) Ltd, a leading housing association.

Orbit was advised by Birmingham-based Brooke Smith Planning to secure the scheme, which comprises a mix of two and three-bed houses plus one and two-bed flats, all centred round an open play area in Boughton Green Road, close to the town's university campus. 

Brooke Smith Planning associate director Will Charlton said: "We are pleased to have secured permission from Northampton Borough Council for this scheme. It will provide a welcome boost to the social housing sector in the town as well as creating employment opportunities during the building phase.

"Orbit expects to confirm funding for this development very soon, so residents, who are in need of such housing which is currently under provided in the area, can move in as soon as possible."

The homes will be built on a two-acre site near to grass-covered reservoirs operated by Anglia Water. Every home on the site will overlook the play area, which Orbit will manage and maintain. 

The area enjoys good public transport links and Orbit is including green features such as secure cycle storage for each property, whilst the scheme also meets the requirements of both the Code for Sustainable Homes and Secure by Design.

In addition the development has attained 11.5 out of 20 points in a Building for Life assessment, a good score in the national standard for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods for a small affordable housing scheme. 

This is the most recent in a line of consents achieved by Brooke Smith Planning for housing development across the region.