The North Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met to consider a number of planning applications, including outline permission for new dwellings, and full permission for extensions, outbuildings, and a change of use. The meeting was scheduled to be held at One Angel Square, Northampton.

Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to discuss the following planning applications:

Land off Farnborough Drive, Daventry

The committee was scheduled to revisit application 2024/0598/FULL for the erection of 114 new homes with associated access, landscaping, and drainage on land off Farnborough Drive, Daventry. This application had previously been deferred at the meeting on 8 January 2025¹ for the following reasons:

• Incorporate two learning areas of play (LAPs) within the proposed scheme.
• Increase garden / amenity space for the flatted developments and 1-bedroom properties.
• Reduce tandem parking space.

The report pack notes that the applicant, Stonebond Properties Ltd, had submitted revised plans to address these concerns. The revised plans included:

• Two LAPs towards the southern boundary of the site.
• Introduction of external garden space / balconies for some the flatted properties.
• Introduction of weatherboarding to some of the properties.

Daventry Town Council reiterated concerns regarding on-street parking, and the potential for friction among residents due to the misalignment of some allocated parking plots. The Design Out Crime Officer noted that none of the points raised in their last consultation response had been addressed.

The planning officer's report noted that the application site is allocated within the Settlements and Countryside Local Plan (Part 2) For Daventry District (LPP2) for housing development (Policy H08), requiring a minimum of 100 dwellings. The proposed development would comply with this policy, as it proposes 114 dwellings. The report also noted that the Middlemore Development Brief Sites 7,8 & 9 Supplementary Planning Document (MDBS SPD) can be afforded significant to high weight in the decision making of this application.

The planning officer's report recommended that the Assistant Director for Planning and Development be given delegated powers to grant permission for the development subject to conditions and a S106 legal agreement to secure:

• 20% affordable housing
• A financial contribution of £509,000 towards educational services and the National Health Service (NHS).

Bank Cottage, 25 Drayton Park, Daventry

The committee was scheduled to consider application 2024/4114/FULL for alterations and extensions to Bank Cottage, 25 Drayton Park, Daventry, including:

• Demolition of a swimming pool and replacement with a side and rear extension.
• Demolition of a garage and construction of a new side extension and front entrance canopy improvements.
• A new rear raised patio and retaining garden wall.
• Driveway alterations.
• Window and door alterations.
• A new vehicular access and gates.

The applicant, Lucy Taylor, is an employee of West Northamptonshire Council.

West Northamptonshire Council Highways and Right of Way raised objections to the application. Ward Councillor R Humphreys, Daventry Town Council, the Canal and River Trust and West Northamptonshire Council Environmental Health raised comments. Eight letters of objection were received.

The planning officer's report recommended that the Assistant Director for Planning and Development be given delegated powers to grant permission for the development subject to conditions.

The Paddocks, Baker Street, Gayton

The committee was scheduled to consider application 2024/4192/OUT for outline permission with all matters reserved for the demolition of an existing dwelling and erection of two dwellings at The Paddocks, Baker Street, Gayton.

Two of the applicants, Mr & Mrs Cooper and Mrs Addison, are West Northamptonshire Council Councillors.

West Northamptonshire Council Highways, the Parish Council, Ecology, Heritage, and Environmental Protection were consulted. No letters of objection were received.

The planning officer's report recommended that the Assistant Director for Planning and Development be given delegated powers to grant permission for the development subject to conditions.

1 Willow End, Brockhall Road, Dodford

The committee was scheduled to consider application 2024/5176/FULL for the demolition of an existing garage/outbuilding and erection of a new garage/outbuilding and container in the residential garden of 1 Willow End, Brockhall Road, Dodford.

Councillor David Smith called in the application on the grounds of scale, mass and impact on appearance and character of area. Dodford Parish Meeting also objected. Letters of objection were received from two separate addresses.

The planning officer's report recommended that the Assistant Director for Planning and Development be given delegated powers to grant permission for the development subject to conditions.

399 Wellingborough Road, Northampton

The committee was scheduled to consider application 2025/0181/FULL for a change of use from Guesthouse (Use Class C1²) to House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (sui generis³) for 9 occupants at 399 Wellingborough Road, Northampton.

Councillor Zoe Smith called in the application on the grounds of impact on parking and residential amenity.

The planning officer's report recommended that the Assistant Director for Planning and Development be given delegated powers to grant permission for the development subject to conditions.

Grovelands Business Park West Haddon Road East Haddon

The committee was scheduled to note the minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2025, which included a discussion of application 2023/7946/MAF for the construction of a coffee shop, gymnasium, offices, flexible office space and associated car parking at Grovelands Business Park West Haddon Road East Haddon.