The North Northamptonshire Council Planning Committee (South) met to discuss a change of use application for a property on Knox Road, an application for partial demolition and construction on Canon Street, and to receive an update on the Green Hill Solar Farm project. Councillors voted to approve the change of use for 4 Knox Road, and also voted to approve the application for 21 Canon Street. The committee noted an update on the Green Hill Solar Farm.

4 Knox Road, Wellingborough

Planning permission was granted for a change of use at 4 Knox Road from a Class C1 18-room guest house to a 15-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO).

A request to address the meeting was received from Mr Thomas, on behalf of the applicant. He explained how the HMO would be managed, that there would be a keypad entry system and on-site security, along with an office and on-call facility for the residents. He also said that due to its close vicinity to the town centre, most residents would not require parking provision.

Members raised concerns about the lack of on-site parking and the availability of on-street parking, with some councillors disagreeing with the findings of the parking beat survey. Officers clarified that the parking beat survey had found on two occasions that there was sufficient on-street parking available, with surveys being carried out at night when it was deemed that most residents would be at home.

Councillors agreed that the site needed to be improved and that there was a requirement for this sort of accommodation located near to the town centre.

The lack of amenity for the residents was raised with a suggestion that land to the rear of the property would benefit from being used as a community style area for residents. It was noted that details in relation to room size would be looked at as part of the HMO registration process.

Clarification was sought over the role of the office manager and whether the person would be on site at all times. It was believed that the detail of the role had yet to be agreed but it would probably be a part-time presence.

The motion to grant planning permission was carried with five votes in favour, two votes against and two abstentions.

21 Canon Street, Wellingborough

Planning permission was granted for the partial demolition of an existing retail unit (use class E(a)¹) and partial new build to create 16 one-bedroom apartments at 21 Canon Street, consisting of five wheelchair-accessible units.

There were no requests to address the meeting.

Members debated the proposal with some considering that the lack of affordable social housing was disappointing and of concern. Others felt that the area was in need of improvement and that more high quality apartments would be better placed so near to the town centre. Comments were also made regarding the adjacent property in Regent Street which was dilapidated and unsightly, but officers informed the committee that this building did not form part of the application.

The motion to grant planning permission was carried with nine votes in favour and one against.

Green Hill Solar Farm

The committee received an information update on the proposal for a solar farm, including battery storage and other associated works, on land located to the west and south of Wellingborough, and north of Milton Keynes, submitted by Island Green Power.

Councillor Lee Wilkes, Chair of the committee, informed the committee that the report was purely for information and that there would be no discussion on the paper, as the decision would not be made by the committee but would be a decision of the relevant Secretary of State. He said that should members require any further information they could contact the planning officer, Nichola Thompson. He also said that representations from the council would be made via the Executive Member, Councillor David Brackenbury and the Director of Place and Environment, George Candler.

Councillor Tim Allebone declared a personal interest in relation to the solar farm as it was expected that there would be some installation on his farm.

The committee noted the update report.