The Planning Committee of North Northamptonshire Council is scheduled to consider several applications for planning permission at its meeting on Wednesday 17 June 2026. The agenda includes proposals for a dog walking and exercise area, the retention of an outdoor kitchen and barbecue, the change of use of two dwellings to a children's home, and variations to conditions at Weldon Landfill Site.

The Smallholding, Duddington

Plans are to be presented for The Smallholding, located on A43 Stamford Road, Duddington, which involve works to existing Class E buildings for use as offices and stores, and a change of use of agricultural land to a dog walking and exercise area. The proposal is brought before the committee as it falls outside the council's Scheme of Delegation due to being a major application with an objection from the Parish Council that is contrary to the officer's proposed decision. The report indicates a recommendation to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

The proposal includes repairs to two existing barns, one to be used as an office, WC, and staff area, and the other for commercial storage. The remaining buildings would be demolished, and six parking spaces provided, two with electric charging units. The agricultural field would be fenced with up to 2-metre-high fencing and used by up to eight dogs at any one time, or rented out to dog walkers. The business currently operates from 9am to 2pm, Monday to Friday, with plans to extend hours to 9am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Duddington Parish Council has objected, citing concerns about inadequate access onto the A43, the need for double gating for security, the height of the fencing, unclear waste storage and disposal methods, potential visual intrusion from additional buildings, and noise from dog barking. NNC Ecology has noted that some work has already taken place and commented on the proposed Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)[^1], suggesting that new native tree planting would be more achievable. NNC Environmental Protection has raised no objection following the submission of a noise assessment. The Local Highway Authority has confirmed suitable visibility splays and a tracking exercise demonstrating two opposing vehicles can pass at the access point.

The Old Watermill, Brigstock

The committee is scheduled to consider an application for Full Planning Permission for The Old Watermill, Mill Lane, Brigstock, NN14 3HG. This application seeks to regularise an outbuilding to the rear of the property, comprising a freestanding canopy, brick walls, and a barbecue area, which was erected without planning permission. As the outbuilding is within the curtilage of a Grade II listed building, planning permission is required. The report indicates a recommendation to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

The canopy, finished in black steel, is understood to have been in situ for at least four years and may be immune from enforcement. The brick wall and barbecue are constructed of reclaimed bricks. The wall, approximately 74cm high, partially encloses the outbuilding and extends to enclose part of the lawn area. The barbecue itself is presented as a chimney emerging through the steel canopy. The report notes that other breaches of planning control on the site, such as an unauthorised staircase and altered front gates, are outside the scope of this application.

Place Services Essex County Council, acting as heritage advisors, have commented that while the use of red and blue brick for the walls and chimney is somewhat incongruous with the local limestone and the wider Conservation Area, this alone is not considered to harm the significance of the listed building or the Conservation Area. They note that the structures are positioned within the garden area, close to a heavily altered part of the former mill building, and do not inhibit appreciation of the building's historic relationship with Harper's Brook. Brigstock Parish Council has expressed concerns about the retrospective nature of the application, the use of unsuitable materials, and potential precedent-setting in the conservation area, which has experienced flooding from Harper's Brook. Ten objections have been received from neighbours, citing harm to the listed building, inconsistency with historic consents, harm to neighbours' amenity, fragmented applications, loss of trees, flood risk, poor design, and deed covenants.

70 Hardwick Road, Wellingborough

An application for the change of use of two dwellings at 70 Hardwick Road, Wellingborough, NN8 5AG, from two C3 dwellings to a single Children's Home unit (C2 Use Class) is scheduled for discussion. The home would accommodate care for three children and at least three members of staff on-site during a shift pattern. The report indicates a recommendation to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

The site consists of a four-bedroom dwelling (number 70) and an adjoining two-bedroom single-storey dwelling (number 70a). Planning permission was granted in June 2024 to divide these into two separate dwellings, which has been implemented. The proposal involves internal reconfiguration and the creation of a doorway between the main house and the former annexe. The report states there are no external alterations proposed.

Concerns have been raised by six objectors regarding the intensification of use, leading to noise, increased comings and goings of staff and visitors, additional vehicular movements, and potential loss of privacy. Objectors also cite a lack of on-street parking, the use being out of keeping with the quiet residential area, and the potential for cumulative impact and precedent. The Local Highways Authority has raised no objections on highway safety or capacity grounds, noting that the site has two separate highway accesses and off-road parking for six vehicles, exceeding the requirement for a C2 use. The report concludes that the proposed development would not have unacceptable amenity impacts on neighbours and would comply with relevant planning policies. A condition is recommended to restrict the use to a children's care home for a maximum of three children.

Weldon Landfill Site, Kettering Road, Weldon

The committee will consider a request to vary conditions 14 (Operation, Levels and Restoration), 15 (Landscaping) and 22 (End Date) of a previous planning permission (ref: 09/00042/WAS) for Weldon Landfill Site, Kettering Road, Weldon, NN17 3JG. The application seeks to extend the duration of current waste operations and update the approved restoration and aftercare scheme. The report indicates a recommendation to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

The current planning consent expired on 28 February 2026, and the applicant is seeking a further extension of 10 years for infilling and one year for restoration. This is attributed to an increase in recycling leading to a decline in non-inert waste sent to landfill, making it difficult to achieve the previously approved landform. Weldon Parish Council has objected, raising concerns about an increase in the peak height of the final fill from 112m to 120m above ordnance datum (AoD), stating this would be significantly out of proportion to its future surroundings. They also question the length of the extension and the current function of the site, which is described as a mothballed landfill site taking restoration soils. The applicant's agent has responded to these objections, providing clarification and an executive summary, and confirmed the site has an active Environmental Permit.

A Landscape and Visual Amenity (LVA) Review suggests the proposed changes would not result in additional adverse impacts and that the post-settlement contours of the new restoration proposal will match the previously approved plan. The report notes that while the proposed changes will alter the landscaping scheme, these changes are not considered to have a significant visual impact and will result in a more beneficial restoration scheme.

Consultation responses from the Environment Agency, Local Highway Authority, and Lead Local Flood Authority have raised no objections. Natural England also has no objection, considering the development will not have significant adverse impacts on protected nature conservation sites. The Wildlife Trust has made suggestions for strengthening the restoration proposals for wildlife, including the inclusion of Priority Habitat: Open Mosaic Habitat on Previously Developed Land (OMHPDL) . The applicant's revised scheme has incorporated many of these suggestions. A condition requiring the submission of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) is recommended.