The Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 22 October 2026, approving two applications for change of use to care homes on Church Way, Northampton, and granting permission for a major housing development north of Boughton Road, Moulton. However, the committee refused an outline application for two self-build dwellings in woodland near Aynho due to significant heritage and ecological concerns.

84 Church Way, Northampton (2025/3896/FULL)

The committee approved the change of use of a five-bedroom detached house at 84 Church Way, Northampton, to a six-resident care home, including day care and overnight respite services. This decision was made in accordance with the Case Officer's recommendation, subject to various conditions. Concerns raised by local residents regarding highway safety, parking, and noise were addressed by the officer's report, which highlighted that the scale of the proposal was modest and that operational impacts would be controlled by a management plan. The decision was approved with alterations to the management plan conditions.

88 Church Way, Northampton (2025/3875/FULL)

Permission was granted for the change of use of 88 Church Way, Northampton, to a four-resident care home, also offering day care and overnight respite. Similar to the previous application, this was approved in line with the Case Officer's recommendation, with conditions attached. Local residents had raised objections concerning highway safety, parking, and the cumulative impact of two care homes in close proximity. The officer's report noted that the proposal was small-scale and that operational matters would be managed through conditions. The committee approved this application with conditions, including the inclusion of a travel plan and waste management provisions.

Land to the North of Boughton Road, Moulton (2025/3999/MAO)

Outline planning permission was granted for up to 120 dwellings, public open space, and associated works on land north of Boughton Road, Moulton. This significant development, which includes 45% affordable housing, was approved subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement to secure various planning obligations. These obligations include contributions towards affordable housing, public open space maintenance, travel plan monitoring, public rights of way improvements, education, biodiversity net gain, and healthcare infrastructure. While the site lies outside the defined village confines of Moulton, conflicting with the development plan's spatial strategy, the committee deemed the benefits of the development, particularly the delivery of much-needed housing and affordable homes, to outweigh the harm.

Land West of Bicester Road, Aynho (2026/0806/OUT)

The committee refused an outline application for two self-build/custom build dwellings within woodland known as 'The Finger', west of Bicester Road, Aynho. The proposal also included alterations to an existing access to facilitate the restoration of the east boundary wall of Aynhoe Park. Officers recommended refusal due to significant harm to the Grade II registered historic parkland, the Special Landscape Area, and priority habitats. Concerns were also raised about the loss of trees and insufficient ecological information regarding protected species. The proposed enabling development of repairing the boundary wall was not considered sufficient public benefit to outweigh the identified harm.

111 Cecil Road, Northampton (2025/5049/FULL)

Permission was refused for the change of use of a seven-bedroom terraced property at 111 Cecil Road, Northampton, from a dwellinghouse (C3) to a large House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Sui Generis). The Case Officer's recommendation for approval was overturned by the committee. Objections had been raised by local councillors and residents concerning inadequate parking, an imbalance in the housing mix, and the impact on residential amenity. While officers noted the HMO concentration was below the SPD threshold and the site was sustainably located, the committee's decision reflected concerns about parking and the potential impact on neighbouring amenity.

Ulverscroft, Vyse Road, Boughton (2026/1954/FULL)

The committee approved the demolition of the north wing of Ulverscroft, Vyse Road, Boughton, and the reconstruction of a new 2.5-storey north wing, along with other extensions and alterations. This revised scheme sought to regularise elements of recent building works that deviated from previously approved plans. The decision was made in accordance with the Case Officer's recommendation, subject to conditions. Concerns raised by Boughton Parish Council and local residents regarding deviations from approved plans, impact on the street scene, overlooking, light pollution, and loss of vegetation were addressed in the officer's report. Conditions were imposed to address the loss of vegetation and to ensure the preservation of the conservation area setting.

Land Adjacent to 56 Corran Close, Northampton (2025/3410/FULL)

Permission was refused for the demolition of an existing garage and the erection of a three-bedroom dwelling adjacent to 56 Corran Close, Northampton. Officers recommended refusal due to concerns about the impact on daylight for the proposed dwelling, the long-term preservation of nearby trees, and the potential for unlawful actions against a protected Sycamore tree. While the development was considered acceptable in principle due to the council's housing land supply shortfall and its location within a settlement, the identified harm to trees and the insufficient provision of daylight for the proposed occupants were deemed to outweigh the benefits.