The Strategic Planning Committee were scheduled to meet to discuss two planning applications, one for a large residential development to the west of Brackley, and another for a storage and distribution building in Northampton.

Land to the west of Brackley

The committee were scheduled to consider an outline planning application for land to the west of Brackley for up to 700 residential dwellings, areas of public open space, a rugby pitch, landscaping, allotments, sustainable drainage and associated infrastructure.

Vulpes Ltd T/A Vulpes Land (Vulpes Land) submitted the application, with Pegasus Group acting as agent.

The application was accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES) which assessed potentially significant effects relating to:

• Socio economic issues and human health
• Landscape and visual
• Ecology
• Archaeology and heritage
• Transport and access
• Noise and vibration
• Air quality
• Flood risk and drainage
• Ground conditions
• Lighting

The application sought outline permission, with access not reserved, with details of appearance, landscape, layout and scale all reserved.

The report pack noted that the applicant had submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against non-determination of this application, and that the committee needed to confirm whether it would grant or refuse permission, and if refusing, the detailed grounds for refusal.

The report pack stated that a number of consultees had raised objections to the application, including:

• Farthinghoe Parish Council
• Hinton-in-the-Hedges Parish Meeting
• Lead Local Flood Authority
• CPRE
• Wildlife Trust
• Northants Badger Group

The report pack also noted that 118 letters of objection had been received, and 2 letters of support.

The key issues arising from the application details were listed as:

• Principle of Development
• Landscape and visual impact
• Highway Safety
• Ecology and biodiversity
• Flooding and surface water drainage
• Section 106 agreement¹

The report pack stated that officers had concluded that the proposal was currently unacceptable due to the absence of a satisfactory Section 106 agreement.

The report pack stated that had the council been able to determine the planning application, the putative reason for refusal would have been:

Due to the absence of a S106 planning obligation, the proposal fails to secure sufficient provision for mitigation to off-set the impacts of the development or deliver the commitments in the proposal. Obligations are required in relation to: affordable housing, primary healthcare, primary education, secondary education, early years, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), libraries, public transport, refuse and recycling, public open space, land for Brackley Rugby Club, off-site indoor sports facilities and artificial grass pitches (AGP), Travel Plan, Biodiversity Net Gain and the Council's S106 monitoring costs. The proposal is therefore contrary to policies H2, INF1 and INF2 of the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy, policies LH8, INF1 and NE5 of the South Northamptonshire Part 2 Local Plan and paragraph 56-59 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

L&H Polymers Ltd, Crow Lane, Northampton

The committee were scheduled to consider a full planning application for the erection of a storage and distribution building (Use Class B8²) including ancillary offices, access, car parking, yard and circulation space and associated works at L & H Polymers Ltd, Crow Lane, Northampton.

HE2 Northampton 1 GP Limited c/o Trebor Developments submitted the application, and were also listed as the agent.

The report pack stated that no consultees had raised objections. Two letters of objection had been received from local residents and no letters of support.

The key issues arising from the application details were listed as:

• Principle of Development
• Employment Considerations
• Design and visual Impacts
• Highways Impacts
• Noise Impacts
• Air Quality
• Land contamination
• Flood Risk and Drainage
• Energy and Efficiency
• Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain
• Landscaping Proposals
• Minerals Allocation.

The report pack stated that officers had concluded that the proposal was acceptable subject to conditions and a legal agreement.