Three years after talks to redevelop Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough started, Government Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has said the huge scheme can go ahead.

The confirmation of the Core Spatial Strategy (CSS) north Northamptonshire will mean the population will grow to the size of Bristol by 2021.

The new North Northamptonshire Development Company (NNDC) chief executive Simon Evans hailed the approval as a "huge boost for the sustainable development of the area".

He said: "This enables us to move projects ahead with private developers."

However, given the tough financial climate, there are concerns over the growth plans.

Planning manager Andrew Longley, of North Northamptonshire's Joint Planning Unit, said: "We will clearly need to monitor and review aspects of the strategy but the immediate challenge is to take it forward.

"Obviously, the rate of housing development will be affected by the national housing market. If we can get the plans in place and the investment in place, that's the most we can do."

Under the plans 16,800 homes will be built in Corby, along with 13,100 in Kettering and 12,800 in Wellingborough. In East Northamptonshire 9,800 homes will be built.

Stop the Over-Development in Northamptonshire chairman Sir Peter Fry said the plans would "worsen problems that already exist".

He said: "We can plan for thousands of homes but we're going to have a very high increase in demand for education and health and there will be a tremendous problem with traffic. Services are under stress even now."


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