The Planning Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Wednesday 10 September 2025 and approved four planning applications. These included proposals for a new classroom block and sports pitch at Sir Christopher Hatton School, the demolition and redevelopment of Kettering Leisure Park for open storage, the construction of a padel tennis court and eco-toilet facility at Glapthorn Primary School, and the conversion of Her Majesty's Court House in Kettering into flats.

Sir Christopher Hatton School, The Pyghtle, Wellingborough

The committee approved an application for a new two-storey classroom block, a replacement Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) sports pitch, an extension to the existing car parking, and a new linking footpath at Sir Christopher Hatton School. The development aims to cater for an increase in student numbers and provide enhanced sports facilities. A key consideration was the loss of a small area of playing field, which led to an objection from Sport England. However, the committee determined that the benefits of providing additional school places and improved sports facilities outweighed the harm caused by the loss of playing field. The decision was subject to confirmation from the Secretary of State that the application would not be called in for their own determination.

Kettering Leisure Park, Pegasus Court, Kettering

Permission was granted for the demolition of existing buildings at Kettering Leisure Park, site clearance, and the provision of open storage use (Use Class B8), along with boundary treatments, means of access, and landscaping. The application was brought before the committee due to a material objection from Kettering Town Council, which expressed concerns about the loss of a valuable site for economic development and local amenities. While the town council argued the proposed use was wasteful and would negatively impact local employment, the committee found the proposal acceptable in principle, noting the previous leisure uses were not commercially viable. Conditions were imposed regarding site layout, access, parking, waste management, crime prevention, and landscaping.

Glapthorn Primary School, Benefield Road, Glapthorn

The construction of a padel tennis court and a new eco-composting toilet facility on the existing playing field at Glapthorn Primary School was approved. This application was called to committee due to a significant number of objections from local residents and concerns raised by the British Horse Society regarding potential noise, stray balls, and safety for horse riders using the adjacent bridleway. Sport England raised no objection, considering the proposal met exceptions to their Playing Fields Policy. The committee acknowledged the concerns about the bridleway but concluded that the proposed development, with its enclosed design and lack of floodlighting, would not result in unacceptable impacts on neighbouring amenity or highway safety. Conditions were attached regarding the design and layout of the padel court, construction hours, and landscaping.

Her Majesty's Court House, Dryland Street, Kettering

An outline application to partially demolish, convert, and rebuild Her Majesty's Court House into 14 flats was approved. The site, a vacant former Crown Building in Kettering town centre, is located within the Kettering Conservation Area. The proposal includes 12 two-bedroom units and 2 three-bedroom units. The committee noted that the principle of residential development had been established by a previous approval for apartments on the site. Concerns were raised by the S106 Officer regarding the need for contributions towards early years, primary, and secondary education, as well as library facilities, due to the increased demand generated by the development. However, a viability assessment submitted by the applicant indicated that the scheme was not viable for S106 contributions. Conditions were imposed relating to the reserved matters, external materials, boundary treatments, crime prevention, lighting, construction hours, parking, refuse and cycle storage, surface water drainage, and the provision of swift nest boxes.