On Saturday afternoon, I attended a highly productive residents meeting involving a number of those affected by the totally unacceptable planning process failures around the old Weetabix site in Corby, which impacts many properties in Hooke Close, Pascal Close and Rockingham Road.
This was a very constructive meeting and I was pleased to be joined by Councillor Mark Pengelly and Councillor Willie Colquhoun, with whom I'm working on a cross-party basis to support residents.
A number of legitimate, pertinent points and questions were raised at the meeting, that I promised to take up with North Northamptonshire Council and also directly with the developer, which I did immediately following the meeting. I also committed to seeking any useful guidance and advice about where we go from here directly from the Secretary of State, while continuing to help some of the residents who are tenants, in their ongoing correspondence with their housing association around this issue.
I will continue to work closely with residents and their representatives moving forward, and I would expect to hear more from North Northamptonshire Council in the coming days, not least following the meeting held with them last week, given that they undertook to take urgent legal advice on the planning process situation, which would inform next steps on their part, including testing the legality of the decision taken, and by extension, any relevant routes of remedy and redress that may be applicable. It was also impressed upon them that any enforcement activity should be taken that is required, if the building is not being constructed in accordance with the permission granted - another avenue of legitimate concern where answers are required.
Today, I've chased up those outstanding representations, given the urgency of the situation and will provide further updates as I have them.
As ever, if you haven't already got in touch with me, but are affected and could do with some help, do please let me know via pursglovet@parliament.uk, and I will gladly assist you in any way that I am able.