The Planning Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Wednesday 17 June 2026, approving a change of use for a children's home and granting retrospective planning permission for an outbuilding at a listed property. The committee also discussed a dog-walking field, ultimately approving a condition to limit the number of dogs on site.

Dog-Walking Field Approved with Conditions

The committee discussed an application for a dog-walking field, with councillors expressing sympathy for local residents concerned about noise. While acknowledging the potential for noise disturbance, councillors were guided by technical officers who found no material planning reason to refuse the application. An amendment was proposed and unanimously agreed to add a condition restricting the number of dogs on site to eight during sensitive times (weekends and bank holidays) and between 2pm and 6pm on weekdays, with up to 20 dogs permitted between 9am and 2pm on weekdays. This condition was delegated to officers for finalisation of wording.

Retrospective Planning Permission Granted for Outbuilding at Old Water Mill

Retrospective planning permission was granted for an outbuilding, including a barbecue and freestanding canopy, at the Old Water Mill on Mill Lane in Brivstock. The application was for works that had been erected without planning permission. Councillor David Brackenbury, the ward councillor, raised concerns about the piecemeal nature of applications for the property, highlighting previous breaches of planning control and ongoing legal proceedings. He requested the application be deferred until all outstanding planning issues were regularised. The agent, Mr. Wishart, explained that the applications were being brought forward in stages to address specific elements and that a meeting was scheduled with enforcement officers to discuss remaining matters. Despite concerns from some councillors about retrospective applications, the committee ultimately approved the application, noting that the proposed development had limited public visibility and did not harm the setting of the listed building or conservation area.

Children's Home Approved on Hardwick Road

Planning permission was granted for the change of use of two dwellings at 70 and 70A Hardwick Road, Wellingborough, to a single children's home for up to three children. North Northamptonshire Council is the applicant and owner of the property. Concerns raised by neighbours regarding loss of privacy and the use being out of keeping with the residential area were addressed by officers, who stated that no new window or door openings were proposed and that the use would remain residential. The proposed occupancy, with up to three children and three to four staff members on shift, was considered comparable to or less than that of existing family dwellings. Councillors welcomed the council's initiative in providing such accommodation directly, rather than relying on private operators, and noted the sustainable location of the site with good public transport links. The application was approved unanimously, subject to standard conditions and a condition restricting the use to a children's care home for a maximum of three children.