A NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

At the November meeting of the Parish Council in 1975, an outline planning application, for a new housing development of 18 houses on the site of the cricket field (Horse and Jockey field) was presented. Needless to say, the Council discussed these plans at length and taking into account views of many parishioners as well, the Council felt that the intended number of houses was too big for the size of the plot, and also that the vehicular access for so many potential cars at the point suggested, would be hazardous with the corner being so near.

No mention of this development was made in the Parish Council minutes again until January 1977, when it was recorded that the District Council had refused the application and New Era Development had appealed. However, it would appear that the ENDC had suggested plans for 12 houses to be built on this site. A Public inquiry meeting was to be held in Oundle on February 16th and the chairman, Mr Atkins was to represent the village. A village meeting was to be held before the Public Inquiry so that the chairman could voice the views of not only the Parish Council but of the parishioners too.

The main objections from the village was that a development of 18 houses would be a major impact on the character of the village and reference to the proximity of the corner on Nassington Road was also made. The meeting agreed that 12 house should be the limit for this site.

The picture shows the back of the Horse and Jockey Public House (now Oliver’s Folly) at the bottom, with the back of the houses in Nassington Road (Sycamore Close) at the top.

 

Although, a further planning application for 15 houses must have been received during 1978, no further activity on this development is seen in the records until a Public Meeting was held in the school on March 26th 1979. Mr Seery, the Chief Planning Officer was present to inform the village that he did not think that the new plans for 12 houses on the Cricket field could be refused.  A show of hands showed that 38 parishioners agreed with only 3 people against.

The map shows the layout of the proposed development, with the three different styles of properties which were to be built around the site.

So, what was the new development road to be called? The ENDC suggested the following names:

  • Blacksmith’s Close
  • Fieldview Close
  • Saddler’s Close
  • Farrier’s Close

but the Parish Council had other ideas; in latter years it had been referred to as the Horse and Jockey field, and previously to that it was known as Hind’s or Lindsey field. Both of these names came from previous Landlords of the Horse and Jockey, so a unanimous decision was to suggest to the ENDC that it should be known as LINDSEY CLOSE

There was just one issue that the new Developers, Jelson Ltd of Leicester had to face before the building work could commence, and that was the existing footpath across the cricket pitch had to be diverted.  The Order for this was agreed by East Northants District Council on 2nd September 1980.  Building work then commenced.

                                                                                           Existing footpath         ________________

                                                                                           Proposed diversion    –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –

 

 

The first people moved in during the year of 1982.

2017

Post Views: 279