The Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met on Tuesday 30 June 2026 and refused planning permission for the development at Furtho Pits, Old Cosgrove Road, Old Stratford. This decision was made contrary to the Case Officer's recommendation.

Furtho Pits, Old Cosgrove Road, Old Stratford

The committee refused planning permission for the erection of nine employment units, totalling approximately 69,744 sq.m. of floorspace, with ancillary offices and research and development space. The proposal also included a country park, ground reprofiling for flood storage, a new vehicular access from the A508, and associated site infrastructure including lorry parking. This application was accompanied by an Environmental Statement.

The Case Officer had recommended that permission be granted, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement. The agreement would have secured contributions towards public transport, employment and skills training, landscape maintenance, and biodiversity net gain.

However, the committee voted to refuse the application. The reasons for refusal will be detailed in the official minutes of the meeting. A significant number of objections were received from local residents and parish councils, raising concerns about traffic, flood risk, pollution, ecology, heritage, and the scale and design of the development. Several technical reviews submitted by objectors also raised concerns regarding the flood risk assessment, transport assessment, and ecological impact assessments.

Despite the Case Officer's recommendation for approval, the committee's decision to refuse the application highlights the significant weight given to the objections and concerns raised by consultees and the public regarding the potential impacts of the development.