The Non-Strategic Planning Committee met on 4 September 2025, to discuss several planning applications in the West Northamptonshire area. Councillors voted to approve an application for Catesby Park, and The Poplars Farm, while applications for land in Potterspury and Middleton Cheney were refused. The committee also agreed to hold an additional meeting on Thursday 23 October 2025, to discuss application 2025/0057/MAO for Land at Harlestone Road and York Way, Dallington.

Land East of Drovers Way, Potterspury

Councillors voted to refuse application 2024/0642/MAF for a hybrid planning application on land east of Drovers Way, Potterspury, contrary to the Case Officer's recommendation. The application sought full planning permission for 20 affordable homes as an entry-level exception site¹ with associated works, and outline planning permission for 3 self-build homes.

The reasons for refusal were that the proposed development, by reason of its siting outside of the settlement confines of Potterspury and the site area exceeding one hectare, did not meet the criteria for an entry-level exception site, and was therefore contrary to Policies R1, S1, LH3, and H3 of the South Northamptonshire Part 2 Local Plan, along with paragraph 76 of the National Planning Framework 2024. The committee also stated that in the absence of a Section 106 agreement, the council was not satisfied that the proposed development provides for appropriate infrastructure, facilities and services required as a result of the development and necessary to make the impacts of the development acceptable in planning terms, to the detriment of both existing and proposed residents.

During the meeting, Jane Cox-Rodgers, owner of nearby Swallowfield Stud, Rhiannon Biscoe, a local resident, Steve Parkin, on behalf of Potterspury Parish Council, and Councillor Ian McCord, a local ward member for Deanshanger and Paulerspury, all addressed the committee to object to the application. Their objections included that the application site was outside the village confines of Potterspury and was therefore in open countryside, that the proposal would lead to an overconcentration of affordable housing in one area of the village, and that there was no demonstrated demand for self-build housing in the area.

Tim Northey, on behalf of Abbeymill Homes, addressed the Committee in support of the application, stating that the proposal sought to address a significant shortage of affordable homes across the area.

15 Glovers Lane, Middleton Cheney

Councillors voted to refuse application 2025/0802/FULL for a single-storey rear ground floor extension, first floor rear extension, attic conversion, new rooflights, replacement windows and associated works at 15 Glovers Lane, Middleton Cheney, contrary to the Case Officer's recommendation.

The reasons for refusal were that the proposed single-storey ground floor extension by virtue of it's scale, massing and positioning would result in an unneighbourly form of development, and that the proposed insertion of 2 rooflights to the front roofslope that faces onto Glovers Lane would detract from the traditional character of the Conservation Area².

During the meeting, Lindsay Morle and Liz Grint, local residents, Councillor Rosie Herring, a local ward member for Middleton Cheney, and a written statement from Councillor Rebecca Breese, a local ward member for Middleton Cheney, all addressed the committee to object to the application. Their objections included that the proposed development would cause unacceptable harm to the amenity of the neighbouring property, that the scale and massing of the proposed extension constituted overdevelopment, and that the proposed flat roof was incongruous to the local surroundings.

Jonathan King, the applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application and explained that the proposed extension was subordinate in its design with the existing dwelling and locality, that the proposed removal of the front soil stack would enhance the street scene, and that the roof lights on the flat roof would not be visible due to the elevation of the property.

2025/2264/S73 - Catesby Park, Catesby Innovation Centre, Banbury Road, Charwelton

Councillors voted to approve application 2025/2264/S73 for the removal of Condition 18 pursuant to permission DA/2019/0207 at Catesby Park, Catesby Innovation Centre, Banbury Road, Charwelton. Condition 18 stated that obscure glass should be installed in the upper storey west-facing windows of the building.

During the meeting, Councillor Charlie Hastie, a local ward member for Woodford and Weedon, addressed the Committee in objection to the application, stating that the existing condition upheld the privacy of a nearby property to the site and that, if removed, may give rise to unacceptable impacts on the privacy of the neighbouring property.

Rob Lewis, Agent for the Applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application and explained that the office situated behind the obscured glass was currently unoccupied and that, if removed, would provide future occupiers of the office with a view over the courtyard of the former station site and that the nearest property was approximately 50 metres away, and that a mature tree line obscured the view from the office towards the neighbouring property therefore any privacy concerns would be sufficiently mitigated.

2024/5554/FULL - The Poplars Farm, The Green, Scaldwell

Councillors voted to approve application 2024/5554/FULL for the redevelopment of farmyard to deliver three dwellings and associated works at The Poplars Farm, The Green, Scaldwell.

During the meeting, Dara Masterton-Jones, a local resident, and Martin Kelly, on behalf of Scaldwell Parish Council, addressed the Committee in objection to the application. Their objections included that the size, scale and massing of the proposed development would cause unacceptable harm to the character of the area around The Green and to the wider Scaldwell Conservation Area, and would cause unacceptable harm to nearby listed buildings within the conservation area.

Sean Bennett, the Agent for the Applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application, stating that the site, with its existing use as a farmyard, had declined in its viability and that the optimum use of the site was redevelopment for residential uses which would provide three new homes within the confines of Scaldwell village.

Urgent Business

The committee received a verbal update that the council chamber at The Forum would not be available on 9 October 2025, and that the meeting would be held at One Angel Square, Northampton.

The committee also agreed to hold an additional meeting of the Non-Strategic Planning Committee on Thursday 23 October 2025 at The Forum, Towcester, to determine application 2025/0057/MAO for Land at Harlestone Road and York Way, Dallington.