The Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met to discuss several planning applications, approving a primary school and a distribution warehouse, and deferring a decision on a housing development. The committee approved the construction of a new primary school at Buckton Fields and a storage and distribution building at Zone A, DIRFT, while a decision on a housing development on land north west of Upper High Street, Harpole, was deferred.

Land to the West of A43 Buckingham Road, Evenley

The committee approved the construction, operation, and decommissioning of a renewable biomethane gas generation facility with associated infrastructure on land to the west of the A43 Buckingham Road, Evenley, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement¹ to secure off-site mitigation measures for skylarks and breeding birds.

The application had previously been considered by the committee on 19 August 2025, but was deferred to allow members to visit an operational anaerobic biodigester site, obtain further benchmarking statistical information from the applicant, and receive clarity regarding the control of hazardous substances and Health and Safety Executive requirements.

Following the deferral, committee members visited the Acorn Bioenergy site at Three Maids, Winchester. The applicant also submitted technical notes regarding odour management and permitting, safety and risk assessment, and locational justification.

The applicant, Acorn Bioenergy Ltd, stated that the predicted odour impact at the closest sensitive receptors would be below the noticeable odour threshold. They also detailed changes made to the proposed development to reduce odour impact, such as:

All delivery by covered HGVs which can drive into the 13m tall Chicken Manure Shed and deposit their load with the roller shutter door closed. Odour can be very effectively captured and treated by the Odour Control Unit.

The committee also considered hazardous substance consent, which is required for the storage or handling of specified dangerous chemicals above defined thresholds. The council, as the Hazardous Substance Authority, would take advice from the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency before granting consent.

Land North West of Upper High Street, Harpole

A decision on outline planning application 2024/0672/MAO for the erection of 350 dwellings, public open space, pedestrian and cycle links, play area, drainage, and landscaping on land north west of Upper High Street, Harpole was deferred. The reasons for the deferral were to be set out in the minutes.

Buckton Fields Primary School, Home Farm Drive, Boughton

The committee approved application 2025/930/MAF for the demolition of an existing building and erection of a new two-storey school building, external sports provision, parking, landscaping, amenity areas, external lighting, and plant at Buckton Fields Primary School, Home Farm Drive, Boughton, NN2 8ES, subject to conditions.

Zone A, DIRFT

The committee approved application 2025/2390/MAF for the construction of a storage and distribution building with ancillary office floorspace (Use Class B8) with associated infrastructure works, drainage, access arrangements, internal roads, HGV and car parking, and hard and soft landscaping at Zone A, DIRFT.