The committee approved an application for 150 dwellings and commercial floorspace at the former Co-op site on Alexandra Road, Corby. The committee also approved an application for the extension of a front garden at 46 Polwell Lane in Barton Seagrave, which will involve narrowing a pedestrian access track, and an application for the construction of a detached dwelling house at 16 Stanion Lane in Corby.

Co-op Site, Alexandra Road, Corby

The committee considered a planning application (23/00409/DPA) for 150 dwellings and 2,165 square feet of commercial floorspace at the former Co-op site on Alexandra Road. The application proposed the demolition of the existing building and the construction of three blocks of flats. The main block would face Alexandra Road and wrap around Wood Street. The second block would follow the main block along Wood Street, and the third block would be located in front of the second block. The main block would also include a commercial unit at ground level. The tallest building would be six storeys high, stepping down to two or three storeys at the ends.

Several residents spoke against the application, raising concerns about overdevelopment, the height of the buildings, density, lack of adequate living space, insufficient parking, and the impact on the rear gardens of properties on Richmond Road.

Councillor Lyn Buckingham, the ward councillor, also spoke against the application, stating that the officer's report was not comprehensive enough, and that several concerns had not been addressed, including waste management, the housing mix, and the capacity of the water recycling centre. She asked if any of the properties would be made available to reduce the council's housing waiting list.

The agent for the applicant, Mr Patel, responded to these concerns, stating that there had been extensive discussions with the planning department over a period of two and half years. He said that the density and size of the rooms were policy compliant, and that there would be no overshadowing or overlooking of nearby properties. He said that the development would bring back viability to the town centre and that there was a shortage of low-cost housing in Corby. He explained that the applicant was offering £210,000 as an off-site housing contribution to the council through a Section 106 agreement¹.

The committee ultimately voted to approve the application, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

46 Polwell Lane, Barton Seagrave

The committee considered a planning application (NK/2024/0332) for the extension of the front garden of 46 Polwell Lane in Barton Seagrave to include part of an access track. The access track would not be closed off and would remain in use by pedestrians.

Councillor Hunter, speaking on behalf of the residents of Barton Seagrave, stated that the access track was well used and that residents were concerned about the impact of the proposal on its width. She also noted that residents would lose access to the village hall. Councillor Roberts, the ward councillor, also spoke in support of the residents and asked for assurance that there would be sufficient room for a wheelchair and a double buggy to pass each other on the narrowed path.

The applicant, Mr Rosella, was unable to attend the meeting but submitted a statement that was read out by the Chair. In his statement, Mr Rosella stated that he had a legal right of way over the entire accessway, but that this right of way was not fit for purpose and was very dangerous for members of the public and residents of 46 Polwell Lane. He explained that Greenbelt, the management company for the adjoining housing development, had encouraged him to apply for planning permission to acquire part of the accessway, because the alternative would be for Greenbelt to invest in the reinstatement of the accessway and pass the costs onto the residents of the housing development. He stated that the application included a safety assessment and that the proposal would not prejudice highway or pedestrian safety.

The committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions.

16 Stanion Lane, Corby

The committee considered a planning application (NC/24/00202/DPA) for the construction of a detached dwelling house at 16 Stanion Lane. The application proposed the construction of a two-storey dwelling with four bedrooms, finished in red brick and grey tiles to the roof, with white plastic window frames and doors. Access to the dwelling would be via an unmade track served from Tollgate Place.

Mr Garden, a neighbour of the applicant, spoke against the application, stating that there was no off-street parking provision for the existing house at 16 Stanion Lane and that the access track was not hard surfaced. He was concerned about the impact of construction traffic on the access track, which is used by residents to walk their children to school and by a neighbour with health issues. Mr Leese, a former resident of 16 Stanion Lane, also spoke against the application, stating that he could not see how the dwelling would fit in, due to the poor access and the lack of lighting. Mrs Mitchell, speaking on behalf of the Corby Old Village Neighbourhood Association, also raised concerns about parking and access, particularly for bin collection.

The agent for the applicant, Mr Millican, addressed the committee, stating that he had worked closely with the officers and that Corby Town Council had not objected to the application. He stated that the applicant was aware of the need to reroute a waste pipe and asked that the committee approve the application.

The committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions, including a condition requiring the provision of enclosed secure bicycle parking. They also resolved to correct a typographical error in proposed condition 5.