The North Northamptonshire Planning Committee (South) met on Wednesday 17 July 2024 and voted to grant planning permission for the change of use of a 4 bed family home at 21 Townsend Leys, Higham Ferrers, to a Children’s home, and also voted to grant planning permission for the proposed residential development of 6 dwellings, conversion and extension of offices to form 3 flats at the Ringstead Business Centre, 1-3 Spencer Street, Ringstead. They also voted to grant planning permission for a 2nd floor roof extension to form 3 new apartments at 36 - 40 High Street, Irthlingborough.

NE/24/00111/FUL - 26-40 High Street, Irthlingborough

This application proposed to add a second floor to the existing building at 36-40 High Street, Irthlingborough, Wellingborough, NN9 5TN to create 3 new apartments above the existing ground floor retail unit and the consented 4 flats at first floor level. The application was previously considered at the meeting of the Committee on 19 June 2024, where it was refused, contrary to the Officer recommendation for approval.

The application was brought back to the committee because an appeal decision had been received by the Local Planning Authority, for a materially similar scheme, albeit for 4 dwellings rather than 3, and without a dedicated plant room. The scheme at appeal (application ref. NE/23/00350/FUL) was refused by the Committee using reasons for refusal that were materially similar to those used to refuse application NE/24/00111/FUL.

The report to Committee highlighted that “as the Planning Inspectorate had dismissed the reasons for refusal given by the Planning Committee and such decisions were materially the same reasons for refusal given when application NE/24/00111/FUL was refused by the committee on 19 June 2024, this indicates that a lesser scheme, of one less flat, would also be granted on appeal.” The Committee therefore resolved to grant planning permission for the application.

The key issues raised by the Committee included:

• Disappointment with the previous appeal decision
• The impact of the development on the Irthlingborough Conservation Area
• The potential for noise from the plant room to impact on the amenity of nearby residents
• The suitability of Warrens Close as an access road
• The adequacy of parking provision

NE/23/01281/FUL - Ringstead Business Centre, 1-3 Spencer Street, Ringstead

This application sought permission for the residential development of six dwellings and the conversion and extension of the existing office building to form three flats at the Ringstead Business Centre, 1-3 Spencer Street, Ringstead, Kettering, NN14 4BX.

The Committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions, including an amendment to a condition that would have required future residents to seek planning permission from the Council for any future enlargements, improvements or alterations to their houses.

The key issues raised during the discussion included:

• The size of the gardens at some of the proposed dwellings
• The ability of wheelchair users to access four of the dwellings that included stepped access
• Whether there was a risk of water run-off from the proposed parking area
• The design of the proposed new-build dwellings fronting onto Spencer Street

NE/23/01103/FUL - 21 Townsend Leys, Higham Ferrers

This application proposed a change of use from a four bedroom family home to a children’s home at 21 Townsend Leys, Higham Ferrers, Rushden, NN10 8LW.

The Committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions.

The key issues raised by the Committee included:

• The likely impact on parking in the area
• The adequacy of the accommodation for the children living there

Louise De Chiara, Assistant Director, Governance, Commissioning and Improvement for the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust addressed the committee to explain that the Trust supports the application and that there is a need for this type of accommodation. She said that the proposed children’s home “would be very similar to a normal family environment”.

Councillor Scott Edwards, the Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Skills at North Northamptonshire Council also spoke in support of the application.

Mr R Patel, the applicant, also addressed the meeting and explained how he had been running a similar home in Wellingborough without any complaints from the local community.