Flats to be built next to Freemasons club

Plans to build a block of flats next to a Freemasons club in Northampton have been approved.

Applicant Water Meadow Homes proposed that the vacant site, which is located on the north side of Harlestone Road and tucked into the Lodge Way Industrial Estate, should be repurposed to build 20 new apartments.

West Northamptonshire Council's non-strategic planning committee heard the proposed three-storey building would provide nine one-bed and 11 two-bedroom flats.

Despite three objections by members of the public sharing concerns about additional traffic and disruption from the construction, the Reform UK-controlled council approved the plans.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the land currently comprises an area of scrubland next to the existing Masonic Lodge and Hall, which is accessed through Sheaf Close in the industrial estate.

A new access road from Harlestone Road to the south would also be added to separate traffic from the industrial estate and Masonic Hall and the new residential use. A total of 51 on-site parking spaces would be provided next to the building.

Prior to this application, plans were approved 10 years ago, in June 2016, to dedicate the site for an 80-bed residential care home for the elderly.

However, planning papers state that the scheme was marketed without success, leading to the application for the residential apartments.

In planning statements submitted to the council, the developer said the "overall appearance of the development is designed to be of the highest quality", with the aesthetic selected to integrate the building with the immediate area.

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