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Non-Strategic Planning Committee - Thursday, 2 July 2026 - 4.00 pm
July 2, 2026 at 4:00 pm Non-Strategic Planning Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 2 July 2026, approving several planning applications, including controversial plans for Overstone Hall, while deferring a decision on another. The committee also refused an application for an outbuilding at 34 Knightscliffe Way, Northampton.
Overstone Hall Applications
The committee considered three applications relating to Overstone Hall, Overstone Park, Overstone1. Despite significant objections from heritage bodies and council officers recommending refusal due to substantial harm to the Grade II listed building and its setting, the committee approved applications 2025/0711/MAF (restoration and conversion to apartments) and 2025/0712/LBC (Listed Building Consent for the same works) contrary to officer recommendations. The decision was made on the grounds that the eventual benefits of restoration and redevelopment would outweigh the identified harm.
However, application 2025/0710/MAF, which sought planning permission for 77 dwellings as enabling development to fund the Overstone Hall restoration, was deferred. The deferral was to allow officers to explore further detailed designs with the applicant and for the applicant to provide additional information to address objections raised by West Northamptonshire Council Highways, Ecology, and the Lead Local Flood Authority. Concerns included the impact on biodiversity, irreplaceable habitats, and highway safety.
The extensive reports detailing the heritage concerns for Overstone Hall can be found in the Public reports pack 02nd-Jul-2026 16.00 Non-Strategic Planning Committee.pdf.
7 Berry Lane, Northampton
Application 2026/1702/FULL for a change of use from a residential dwelling (Class C3) to a residential care home (Class C2) at 7 Berry Lane, Northampton was approved in accordance with the case officer's recommendation. Despite objections from local residents, the Parish Council, and ward councillors concerning highway safety, parking, residential amenity, and the suitability of the location for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, the committee found the principle of development acceptable. They noted the government's emphasis on supporting accommodation for looked-after children and concluded that the proposal, with conditions, would not have an unacceptable impact on the local highway network or residential amenity. The detailed report for this application is available in the Public reports pack 02nd-Jul-2026 16.00 Non-Strategic Planning Committee.pdf.
34 Knightscliffe Way, Northampton
The committee refused application 2025/4751/FULL, which sought retrospective permission for an outbuilding to create an annexe at 34 Knightscliffe Way, Northampton, contrary to the case officer's recommendation. The refusal was based on the outbuilding's height, scale, and siting being unduly dominant and negatively impacting the residential amenity of neighbouring properties, contrary to local and national planning policies. The detailed report for this application can be found in the Public reports pack 02nd-Jul-2026 16.00 Non-Strategic Planning Committee.pdf.
Whittlebury Park Golf and Country Club
Outline planning permission was granted for the erection of a Padel Court building at Whittlebury Park Golf and Country Club, High Street, Whittlebury (application 2026/1120/OUT). The decision was made in accordance with the case officer's recommendation, with a key amendment to remove a condition that would have restricted the use of the Padel court to members, guests, and employees only, allowing public access. The committee considered the proposal to be acceptable, noting its potential economic and social benefits and that environmental impacts could be mitigated through conditions. The full details are available in the Public reports pack 02nd-Jul-2026 16.00 Non-Strategic Planning Committee.pdf.
The Decisions 02nd-Jul-2026 16.00 Non-Strategic Planning Committee.pdf document provides a summary of all decisions made at the meeting. The Minutes of Previous Meeting.pdf document contains the minutes from the previous meeting.
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Overstone Hall is a Grade II listed building located in Overstone Park, Northamptonshire. It is a significant heritage asset, but has suffered from fire damage and neglect. The applications considered aimed to secure its restoration through a combination of repair and enabling development. ↩
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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2026/1120/OUT - Whittlebury Park Golf and Country Club, High Street, Whittlebury
Recommendations ApprovedThe Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council approved the outline application for a Padel Court building at Whittlebury Park Golf and Country Club on 02 July 2026. The decision was made in accordance with the Case Officer's recommendation, subject to various requirements to be set out in the minutes.
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2026/1702/FULL - 7 Berry Lane, Northampton
Recommendations ApprovedThe Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council approved the change of use from a residential dwelling to a residential care home at 7 Berry Lane, Northampton on 02 July 2026. The decision was made in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation, subject to various requirements to be set out in the minutes.
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2025/0711/MAF - Overstone Hall, Overstone Park, Overstone
Recommendations ApprovedThe Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council approved recommendations on 02 July 2026. The decision was made contrary to the Case Officer’s recommendation, subject to various requirements to be set out in the minutes.
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2025/4751/FULL - 34 Knightscliffe Way, Northampton
Recommendations ApprovedThe Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council decided to refuse retrospective permission for the erection of an outbuilding to create an annex at 34 Knightscliffe Way, Northampton on 02 July 2026. The decision was made contrary to the Case Officer's recommendation.
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2025/0710/MAF - Overstone Hall, Overstone Park, Overstone
Recommendations ApprovedThe Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council deferred the decision on the erection of 77 dwellings at Overstone Hall, Overstone Park, Overstone on 02 July 2026. Reasons for the deferral are to be set out in the minutes.
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2025/0712/LBC - Overstone Hall, Overstone Park, Overstone
Recommendations ApprovedThe Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council approved Listed Building Consent for restoration of part of Overstone Hall on 02 July 2026. The decision was made contrary to the Case Officer's recommendation, subject to various requirements to be set out in the minutes.
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