The Planning Committee (South) of North Northamptonshire Council met on 19 June 2024 and considered three applications, approving two and refusing one.

Application NE.24.00111.FUL Land South Of Isham Road Orlingbury

The committee considered an application for outline planning permission for the construction of up to 195 dwellings and a new access road at land south of Isham Road, Orlingbury. The application was recommended for approval by the Planning Officers present at the meeting.

The committee raised a number of issues with the development, in particular the size of the development and its proximity to the village of Orlingbury. Some members of the committee felt that the village would be overwhelmed by such a large development and argued that a smaller development of between 125 and 150 houses would be more appropriate, given that:

Orlingbury is a small village of approximately 50 dwellings and the proposal represents a 400% increase in the number of dwellings in Orlingbury.
Planning Officer at the meeting

The committee heard from an objector to the development, Orlingbury Parish Council, who argued that the development would constitute a major change to the character of the village and should therefore be refused. They argued that:

the development constitutes a major development within the settlement boundary of Orlingbury as set out in Policy 11 of the Joint Core Strategy. Policy 11 requires major development to provide substantial benefits to the local community and to conserve and enhance the natural and historic environment.
Orlingbury Parish Council, in writing to the committee

The committee also heard from the applicant, Gladman Developments Ltd, who argued that their application was consistent with the North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy:2016 which they said:

seeks to manage growth and direct development to appropriate locations and that the site is located in a sustainable location.
Gladman Developments Ltd, in writing to the committee

Ultimately, the committee felt that the size of the development was acceptable, and that it accorded with the relevant policies in the North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy:2016. They therefore voted to grant outline planning permission for the development.

[2016]: This refers to the year in which the policy was adopted. In this case, the document was adopted in 2016 but covers the period from 2011-2031. This footnote only appears on the first instance of the square bracketed date.

Application NE.23.00282.FUL Land At Spire Hospital, Bedford Road, Raunds

The committee voted to approve an application for the development of a two-storey modular building to form an Ophthalmology Hub at Spire Hospital, Raunds.

The committee heard from a member of the public who objected to the proposal on the grounds that it would have a negative impact on the local environment and that the modular building was not in keeping with the surrounding area.

The committee also heard from the applicant, Spire Healthcare Group, who stated that:

the proposals would result in significant improvements to the delivery of ophthalmology services and the proposal will enable Spire to treat significantly more NHS patients, reducing waiting times within the local area.
Spire Healthcare Group, in writing to the committee

Application NE.23.00283.LBC Land At Spire Hospital, Bedford Road, Raunds

The committee voted to approve an application for Listed Building Consent for the development of a two-storey modular building to form an Ophthalmology Hub at Spire Hospital, Raunds.

This application was submitted in tandem with application NE.23.00282.FUL, as the development would involve work on a listed building on the site.