I recently met with representatives from the ‘A5 Parish Alliance,’ Parish Councillors from Potterspury, Yardley Gobion, Wicken and Deanshanger to discuss their concerns over the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan – Spatial Options Consultation and wider issues of overdevelopment, traffic congestion, safety and air pollution.

Rightly, they and the constituents they represent are deeply concerned of the potential adverse impact to these villages and the surrounding area, with the consultation contemplating 6,000 houses being built close to the Stony Stratford roundabout, effectively creating a feeder estate into Milton Keynes. They are also concerned that the Strategic Plan does not sufficiently tackle climate change or the problems of existing traffic congestion on the A5.

Readers may be aware that I held a public meeting before Christmas with representatives from WNC, National Highways and Persimmon about current applications for development around Towcester, and specific concerns about the existing Local Plan. It is essential that the new Strategic Plan for West Northants gets the right balance in protecting our beautiful environment whilst enabling enough housing and jobs to meet local needs. South Northants should not be subjected to the huge range and number of unwelcome industrial parks currently threatened, and nor should our beautiful villages be overwhelmed with excessive new housing.

I will continue to raise the concerns of all my constituents with the Council as well as seeking confirmation on the next step in the process to enable the Strategic Plan to be reviewed and amended to take into account the strength of local feeling.

If any residents have any concerns or issues they wish to raise in relation to the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan then please email me at andrea.leadsom.mp@parliament.uk