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Non-Strategic Planning Committee - Tuesday, 19 May 2026 - 6.00 pm
May 19, 2026 at 6:00 pm Non-Strategic Planning Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met on Tuesday 19 May 2026, where members considered several planning applications. Decisions were made to approve two applications, refuse one, and defer another for a site visit.
Land to the North West of Church Mews, Pitsford
The committee refused planning permission for the construction of a single dwelling and associated outbuildings, pavilion, solar panels, and a pond at Land to the North West of Church Mews, Pitsford. The refusal was in accordance with the Case Officer's recommendation. The primary reason for refusal was that the proposal lacked the architectural clarity, material authenticity, and compositional coherence necessary to be considered truly outstanding
or to reflect the highest standards in architecture. It was also deemed to cause harm to the character and appearance of the site and would not significantly enhance its immediate setting or be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area, failing to meet the exceptionally high design standards required for isolated homes in open countryside. This decision contravened policies within the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy, the Settlements and Countryside Local Plan, the Pitsford Neighbourhood Development Plan, and Paragraph 84 e) of the National Planning Policy Framework1.
21 Whitegates, Northampton
An application for a first-floor two-storey side extension at 21 Whitegates, Northampton, was deferred for a Committee Site Visit. This decision was made to allow the committee to better assess the siting, scale, and mass of the proposed extension and its relationship with, and impact on, neighbouring dwellings and the local street scene.
48 Charnwood Avenue, Northampton
The committee refused planning permission for the conversion of a dwelling house (use class C3) into a children's home (use class C2) with the insertion of a rear rooflight at 48 Charnwood Avenue, Northampton. This decision was contrary to the Case Officer's recommendation. The refusal was based on the grounds that the proposal, by reason of its intensification of use and its corresponding impact on the character of the surrounding area, was contrary to local planning policies and the National Planning Policy Framework. It was considered that the use would result in increased activity leading to a detrimental impact on the amenities of neighbouring properties due to noise and disturbance, and that the proposal would result in the loss of a C3 bungalow, removing existing housing stock.
Hill Farm, Upper Heyford
Planning permission was approved for the construction of Commercial Units (Use Class B2 and B8) including ancillary office space and associated access and parking at Hill Farm, Upper Heyford. The approval was in accordance with the Case Officer's recommendation, subject to various requirements to be set out in the minutes.
54 Main Road, Duston, Northampton
Permission was granted for the conversion of storage space to the rear of a shop to form a new ground floor flat, including a kitchen extension, improvements to an existing first-floor flat, and retrospective permission for shop front alterations at 54 Main Road, Duston, Northampton. The approval was in accordance with the Case Officer's recommendation, subject to various requirements to be set out in the minutes.
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The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the government's planning policies for England and how they are expected to be applied. Paragraph 84 e) specifically relates to the design of isolated homes in the countryside, requiring them to be
truly outstanding
and significantly enhance their setting. ↩
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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2025/5229/FULL - 21 Whitegates, Northampton
Recommendations ApprovedThe Non-Strategic Planning Committee decided to defer the application for a first-floor side extension at 21 Whitegates, Northampton. The decision was made on 19 May 2026. The deferral was for the purposes of a Committee Site Visit, with reasons to be set out in the minutes.
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2025/5089/MAF - Hill Farm, Upper Heyford
Recommendations ApprovedThe Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council approved the recommendations for the development at Hill Farm, Upper Heyford on 19 May 2026. The decision was to grant permission subject to various requirements. These include conditions for noise control, unexpected contamination, external lighting, a construction management plan, details of bat and bird boxes, and biodiversity net gain.
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2025/4201/FULL - 48 Charnwod Avenue, Northampton
Recommendations ApprovedThe Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council refused planning permission for the conversion of a dwelling house into a children's home at 48 Charnwood Avenue, Northampton on 19 May 2026. The decision was contrary to the Case Officer's recommendation.
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2024/4446/FULL - Land to the North West of Church Mews, Pitsford
Recommendations ApprovedThe Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council refused permission for a single dwelling and associated outbuildings, ground mounted solar panels, a pond, and new access driveway. The decision was made on 19 May 2026.
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2025/4492/FULL - 54 Main Road, Duston, Northampton
Recommendations ApprovedThe Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council decided to approve the application for development at 54 Main Road, Duston, Northampton on 19 May 2026. The decision was made in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation, subject to various requirements. These requirements include conditions on time limits, approved plans, materials, and construction time limitations.
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