Over the last few years I have been working with Lakeview Residents Association in objecting to the conversion of a former nursing home, Lakeview House, into a proposed development that, in the opinion of residents, was not well suited for the area.
The campaign against the conversion of Lakeview House saw us hold numerous public meetings, distribute thousands of leaflets on multiple occasions, get over 700 signatures on a petition and fight off not one but three consecutive planning applications and an appeal to the National Planning Inspector!
After two years of campaigning the land was finally bought by Northampton Borough Council last year and I am pleased to see that things are starting to move forward for this building project after the old structure was knocked down last week.
The project has been handed over to Northamptonshire Partnership Homes who will oversee the development of the land into 46 sheltered accommodation dwellings – a much better alternative to the out-of-place development previously planned. I am also thrilled to report that unlike the previous developer, NPH are working with Lakeview Residents on these plans.
They will shortly be launching a design competition to appoint an architect and will subsequently submit their plans to the Northampton Borough Council. This time I have full faith that the plans will reflect the local community and I am pleased to see things finally moving in the right direction for Lakeview House.