The Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 5 March 2026, approving three planning applications and deferring two others for a site visit. The committee granted permission for a micro energy storage project in Daventry and a change of use for a warehouse in Northampton to an indoor padel tennis and wellness centre. Two applications for new dwellings in Pattishall were deferred for a committee site visit to allow members to better assess their scale and impact.

Planning Applications Determined

The committee considered four planning applications for determination.

Fourways, 2 School Road, Pattishall (Applications 2025/2333/FULL and 2025/2365/FULL)

Two applications relating to the development of land at Fourways, 2 School Road, Pattishall were considered. Application 2025/2333/FULL sought permission for a new self-build dwelling, while application 2025/2365/FULL proposed the demolition of the existing dwelling and garage and the construction of two new self-build dwellings. Both applications were called in by Councillor Stuart Tolley due to concerns about overdevelopment and highway safety.

Objectors, including local residents Graham Turland and Andrew Jordan, and Iris Illingworth on behalf of Pattishall Parish Council, raised concerns about the cumulative impact of developing the site for three dwellings, arguing it would constitute overdevelopment, lead to a loss of privacy and residential amenity, and create highway safety issues due to the proximity of the proposed new access to a pedestrian crossing. Councillor Stuart Tolley's written statement echoed these concerns, highlighting highway safety, loss of amenity, cumulative impact, and the visual impact of the proposed properties.

Roy Hammond, the agent for the applicant, argued that the proposals complied with relevant planning policies, were in a sustainable location, and had been designed to reflect the local character without causing loss of privacy or amenity. He also noted that the principle of residential development on the site had been established by a previous permission (WNS/2021/0684/FUL) and that the council's Highways Officer had not objected.

Following debate, the committee voted to defer both applications for a Committee Site Visit. This was to allow members to assess the siting, scale, and mass of the proposed dwellings and their relationship with, and impact on, neighbouring properties and the local street scene.

Riverside Prime, Unit 8 Carousel Way, Northampton (Application 2025/4502/FULL)

The committee considered an application for the change of use of a warehouse at Riverside Prime, Unit 8 Carousel Way, Northampton from Use Class B1, B2, B8 to an indoor padel tennis, wellness and therapy area and associated facilities (Use Class E), with associated parking and turning.

Brian Russell, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support, highlighting the growing popularity of padel tennis, the creation of up to twenty new jobs, and the provision of facilities supporting mental and physical wellbeing. He stated that the proposal aligned with the council's active lifestyle goals and represented a suitable alternative use for the unit.

The committee voted to approve the application, with delegated powers granted to the Assistant Director for Planning and Development to grant permission subject to conditions and an informative. The decision was based on the applicant's demonstration that the existing use was not economically viable through a robust marketing exercise, and that there was demand for the proposed development. The proposal was also seen to bring a vacant unit back into productive use, generate employment, and provide community benefits, while being acceptable in terms of design, flood risk, drainage, and ecology. The committee also concluded there would not be an unacceptable impact on neighbouring amenity or highway safety.

Land Next to Footpath, Welton Road, Daventry (Application 2025/3883/FULL)

The committee considered an application for the construction and operation of a micro energy storage project at Land Next to Footpath, Welton Road, Daventry for AMP Clean Energy. The application was called in by Councillor Richard Pipes due to concerns about potential contamination of a nearby reservoir and public health risks in the event of a fire.

Ben Wallace, the agent for the applicant, explained that the micro energy storage unit was intended to support the local low voltage network, which had been identified by National Grid as vulnerable to voltage fluctuations. He stated the unit could provide 800kWh at full capacity, sufficient to power up to 200 homes for four hours, and would save approximately 5,000 tonnes of carbon over its lifetime.

Councillor Richard Pipes registered an objection, citing concerns about fire risk and the potential impact on nearby schools, residents, and local wildlife. Twenty-seven letters of objection were received, raising similar concerns about fire risk, pollution, proximity to schools, and impact on local ecology. Thirteen letters of support were also received, highlighting the benefits for grid reinforcement, renewable energy management, and combating the climate crisis.

The committee voted to approve the application, with delegated powers granted to the Assistant Director for Planning and Development to grant permission subject to conditions. The decision was made on the basis that the proposal was in accordance with national and local planning policies supporting renewable energy and low-carbon development. While acknowledging concerns about fire risk, the committee noted that the development was subject to comprehensive regulatory requirements for fire safety, and that the local fire service had raised no objection. The proposal was also considered to have a negligible impact on local character, residential amenity, highway safety, and flood risk.