Councillor Phil Bignell

The Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council approved the construction of a solar photovoltaic farm on 14th July 2026. The decision was made in line with officer recommendations, subject to conditions. Conditions include securing biodiversity mitigation, a Construction Environmental Management Plan, a lighting strategy, Biodiversity Net Gain measures, soil management, restoration and aftercare, a detailed drainage design, long-term maintenance, erosion control, verification of drainage infrastructure, a Written Scheme of Investigation, and a Heritage Management Plan.

The Strategic Planning Committee refused planning permission for the erection of 9 employment units at Furtho Pits, Old Stratford. The decision was made on 30/06/2026.

The Planning Policy Committee of West Northamptonshire Council decided on 17 June 2026 to note progress on the local plan and agreed that the council cannot currently meet the evidenced need for Gypsy, Traveller, and Travelling Showpeople sites. The committee will raise this unmet need as a strategic cross-boundary matter with neighbouring councils.

The Planning Policy Committee of West Northamptonshire Council adopted the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area Guidance and Mitigation Strategy on 17 June 2026. The committee also revoked two previous Supplementary Planning Documents related to the same area. The adopted guidance includes a Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) contribution of £371.17 per dwelling plus an administration fee of £85 per application for new dwellings within 5.9km of the SPA.

The Planning Policy Committee of West Northamptonshire Council adopted the West Northamptonshire Infrastructure and Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document on 17 June 2026. This decision approved recommendations to adopt the new document, which replaces three existing supplementary planning documents. The committee also delegated authority to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services for minor editorial changes and agreed to update contribution SP1 to amend the maintenance cost period from 25 to 10 years.