South Northants Council has selected a developer as the preferred bidder to lead on plans for building on Springfields and Moat Lane in Towcester. This will still be subject to conditions being met.

Liberal Democrats with some independent councillor support opposed the controversial plans. These were discussed at a special council meeting held on Wednesday.

Lib Dems believe the proposal represents an unacceptable financial risk to local tax payers and at the same time may not comply with the council’s own master plan for Moat Lane. The Conservatives remain fixated on their vanity scheme for new council offices. Tories spent most of the meeting trying to score party political points, rather than debate the issues that are so important to Towcester.

The proposals heard in secret because of commercial and legal reasons will be made public when put forward through the planning process. Liberal Democrat, Councillor Chris Lofts said: “The plans show a sense of desperation by the council’s Tory administration. The council office move remains in the proposals against very strong public opinion.”