The North Northamptonshire Council Planning Committee met to discuss planning applications for a nursery in Rushden, a property in Kettering, and land in Braybrooke. The committee approved the application for residential development at Jack And Jill Nursery, Rushden, subject to a condition regarding fencing. They also approved the change of use of a retail unit to a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Kettering, and the construction of five dwellings in Braybrooke.

Jack and Jill Nursery, Rushden

The committee approved an application for residential development of four dwellings at Jack And Jill Nursery, Moor Road, Rushden, subject to a condition that officers can amend condition 7 to ensure appropriate reinforcement of the rear fence.

James Paterson, case officer, explained that the application sought permission to build two pairs of semi-detached one-bedroom dwellings with parking and amenity space.

A representative of the Jack and Jill Nursery, Mr Jenkins, addressed the committee to raise concerns about the safety of children due to the proximity of parked cars to the playground. He cited the tragic case of Poppy Atkinson, who died after a car crashed through a fence, and requested robust fencing to protect the children. Mr Jenkins also raised concerns about noise and pollution from parked cars, and safeguarding issues due to overlooking from the houses.

Councillor David Brackenbury noted the speaker's valid points and said that officers would take them into account when setting the conditions for planning permission, especially regarding the robustness of the fencing. He also raised a concern about parking beat surveys, saying:

I am interested at 5.22 chair and perhaps this is more of a general point but it's important nevertheless um that the parking beat survey provided by the applicant in february 2025 demonstrates there is sufficient capacity on the vicinity of the site to accommodate the visitor parking required by by the development fair enough so far as it goes I understand the only problem is there are a lot of applications in the quite condensed area of rushdom all of which have a parking beat survey saying there's adequate um capacity for visitor parking and one wonders chair about the cumulative impact of development and whether that has been taken account of by the um by by the beats of parking beat survey or surveys that are going on so I mean I do flag that up as a bit of a hazard.

Councillor James Towns raised concerns about cars potentially careering through the fence and suggested bollards or barriers.

Councillors discussed the height and robustness of the fence, and the possibility of adding bollards or other barriers to prevent cars from crashing through it. They agreed to delegate powers to officers to amend condition 7 to secure additional plans that demonstrate how appropriate levels of reinforcement have been added to the fencing design to the rear of the site to prevent cars crossing the boundary at low speed.

Tresham Street, Kettering

The committee approved an application to change the use of a retail unit at 2 Tresham Street, Kettering, into an eight-bedroom HMO, with conditions.

Mark Coleman, case officer, presented the report, noting that the proposal was for an eight-bedroom HMO with internal bin and cycle storage, and external alterations.

Lux Williams, Deputy Chair of the Planning Committee of Kettering Town Council, addressed the meeting to object to the application based on parking concerns. Mr Williams stated that there were already three large HMOs in the vicinity competing for limited parking spaces.

Councillor David Brackenbury noted that the proposal would decrease parking demand compared to the previous retail use, but also noted the lack of a parking beat survey.

Councillor Paul Brooke said that the area was already difficult for parking. Councillor Des Watts noted that the site was a 10-minute walk to the bus station. Councillor James Towns said that he did not see parking as too bad an issue in the area.

Land west of The Swan Public House, Braybrooke

The committee approved an application for the construction of five dwellings on land west of The Swan Public House, Griffin Road, Braybrooke.

Natalie Westgate, case officer, presented the report, explaining that the application was for five dwellings with associated works on land to the rear of the Swan Public House. She noted that the site was within the Braybrooke Conservation Area, adjacent to a Grade 2 listed building¹, and had a tree preservation order² on a birch tree. George Burton, agent for Aspects Building, addressed the committee in support of the application. He said that the proposal would deliver elements sought by the local community through the neighbourhood plan process, with an emphasis on bungalows and enhancement of biodiversity.

Councillor James Towns asked for clarification about an old granary and a swale³ on the site. Mr Burton clarified that the granary was a small brick building that would be retained, and that the swale was a rectangle with curved edges to the west of the granary. Councillor Frank Kilgallon asked if issues raised in letters from residents had been addressed. Mr Burton said that the woodland would be protected and enhanced as part of the biodiversity net gain proposal.