The Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met on Tuesday 17 March 2026, approving a reserved matters application for 295 new homes at Dallington Grange, Mill Lane, Kingsthorpe, Northampton. The committee also considered and approved several other planning applications, including significant developments at Billing Aquadrome and the Northampton South Western Expansion.

Dallington Grange, Mill Lane, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, NN5 7PZ

The committee approved the reserved matters application for 295 dwellings at Dallington Grange, Mill Lane, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, NN5 7PZ. This decision was made in line with the officer's recommendation and is subject to several conditions. The application sought detailed approval for access, appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale, following an outline planning permission granted in February 2021 for up to 3,000 dwellings as part of the Dallington Grange Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE).

The approved plans include a mix of free market and affordable housing. While the proportion of two-bedroom market dwellings is slightly below the target set in the adopted Northampton Local Plan Part 2, officers noted that this was not a matter for reserved matters approval as the original hybrid planning permission did not stipulate a specific mix. The provision of affordable housing, totalling 20 units (6.7%), was deemed acceptable by the Council's Strategic Housing Team, with the slight shortfall to be compensated in future phases.

Concerns regarding residential amenity and noise were addressed through proposed mitigation measures, including specific glazing and ventilation systems for dwellings near the North West Relief Road. The committee also considered ecological impacts, with mitigation measures planned within the wider SUE. The development was assessed against the Building for a Healthy Life criteria, scoring well across most categories.

Highways and parking provisions were largely found to be in accordance with the approved Design Code and council standards, with conditions imposed to address outstanding details regarding visibility splays and pedestrian crossings. Sustainability measures, including electric vehicle charging points, were also confirmed to meet requirements. Drainage and flood risk were addressed, with conditions requiring further details on land levels. The landscaping scheme was also considered satisfactory.

The decision was made subject to a number of conditions, including detailed requirements for site levels, highway crossings, street lighting, materials, landscaping, and noise mitigation verification.

Billing Aquadrome, Crow Lane, Northampton, NN3 9DA

The committee approved a hybrid application for the reconfiguration of the Billing Aquadrome site, which includes a reduction in the number of static caravans from 3,104 to 2,239 units. The decision grants delegated powers to the Assistant Director for Planning and Development to grant permission, subject to conditions, the agreement of the Environment Agency regarding flood mitigation, and a Section 106 Agreement for potential contributions towards healthcare infrastructure.

Key conditions include amendments to holiday accommodation usage, restricting occupation to no more than one continuous month per year. Additionally, a condition was added to ensure that any works affecting public rights of way require prior approval from the local planning authority. A further condition stipulates that the permanent residential element of the development would be restricted to residents aged 50 and over.

Northampton South Western Expansion

Permission was granted for the development of up to 361 market and affordable homes, along with associated infrastructure, at the Northampton South Western Expansion. This outline application includes open space, play areas, landscaping, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), and green infrastructure, as well as the demolition of a ruinous agricultural structure.

The decision was made subject to conditions and a Section 106 Agreement. This agreement will secure significant financial contributions towards education (Early Years, Secondary, and SEND), libraries, primary healthcare, and off-site sports pitches. It also includes provisions for on-site open space, biodiversity net gain monitoring, highway improvements, bus infrastructure, and travel plan monitoring.

St. Peters Waterside Development, St. Peters Way, Northampton

The committee granted permission for remediation and enabling works at the St. Peters Waterside Development. This decision was made in accordance with the officer's recommendation and is subject to conditions.

Land North of Marefair, Northampton

Permission was granted for remediation and enabling works to remove subsurface features and structures at the Land North of Marefair, Northampton. This decision was also in line with the officer's recommendation and is subject to conditions.

Land to the Northwest and East of Sixfields Stadium, Edgar Mobbs Way, Northampton

The committee approved an application for speculative commercial development at Sixfields Stadium, comprising flexible uses within Use Classes B2 (General Industrial), B8 (Storage and Distribution), E(g)(ii) (Research and Development), and E(g)(iii) (Light Industrial), with ancillary offices. The development includes associated service roads, yard areas, car parking, and landscape planting.

The decision was made subject to conditions and a Section 106 Agreement, which will secure contributions towards employment training, public transport enhancement, travel plan monitoring, biodiversity net gain monitoring, and S106 monitoring. Concerns were raised by local residents and representatives of Northampton Town Football Club regarding the loss of lease land, potential impact on car parking, and traffic congestion, particularly on match days. However, the committee ultimately supported the development, noting it was an allocated site in the Local Plan.