The Non-Strategic Planning Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met on 9 October 2025, and approved plans for a children's home and a commercial development, and agreed to submit a statement of case regarding an appeal against non-determination of an application. A decision on a fourth planning application was withdrawn from the agenda.

Land at Dale Farm, Harborough Road, Maidwell

The committee approved the submitted Appeal Statement of Case (SOC) regarding an appeal by D Kier against non-determination of planning application WND/2023/0046 for the construction of a dwelling and outbuildings at Land at Dale Farm, Harborough Road, Maidwell. The Senior Planning Officer, Tim Cantwell, explained that the timing of the appeal meant that the council's SOC had to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by 30 September 2025, prior to the date of the meeting. The Planning Inspectorate indicated that they may accept a revised SOC should the committee members hold a position that is substantially different to that contained in the submitted version. Tim Cantwell explained that, had the appeal against non-determination not been made, the council would have been the determining authority, and the application would have been recommended for refusal for the following reasons:

• Isolated Homes in the Open Countryside: The proposal does not meet the exceptionally high design standards that are required for isolated homes in open countryside, and is contrary to policy RA6 (iii) of the Settlements and Countryside Local Plan (Part 2) for Daventry District, and Paragraph 84 (e) of the National Planning Policy Framework.
• Character and Appearance of the Wider Landscape Setting: The proposal is contrary to policy BN5 of the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy; Policies ENV2 and ENV7 of the Settlements and Countryside Local Plan (Part 2) for Daventry District; Policy MD4 of the Maidwell and Draughton Neighbourhood Development Plan; and would cause less than substantial harm to a non-designated heritage asset with no public benefit as per Paragraph 216 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
• Unresolved Matters: The applicant has not provided sufficient information to address concerns raised by the Lead Local Flood Authority, the council's ecologist, and the County Archaeologist.

The committee voted to approve the statement of case as already submitted.

2025/3027/FULL - 3 Whaddon Close, Northampton

The committee considered application 2025/3027/FULL for the change of use from dwelling (use class C3¹) to children's home (use class C2²) and garage conversion at 3 Whaddon Close, Northampton for TANAC Limited. The planning officer was Rebecca Wilkinson-Foster.

Several local residents and ward councillors spoke in objection to the application, including Sue Purcell, Barry Smith, Councillor Pinder Chauhan, and Councillor Ronald Firman. Concerns were raised about highway safety issues, insufficient amenities, setting a precedent for similar applications, the council endorsing private enterprises, a lack of school places and GP capacity, and increased noise and traffic.

Members of the committee acknowledged the concerns raised by the speakers, however expressed a view that elements of the proposal could be delivered within existing permitted development rights, and that the operation of the property as a two-car household under its existing use class may result in the same or similar impacts on parking and traffic as the proposed development.

The committee voted to approve the application in accordance with the case officer's recommendation.

2025/0942/FULL - Headway, Heathfield Way, Northampton

The committee considered application 2025/0942/FULL for the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a new terrace of seven commercial units and associated parking at Headway, Heathfield Way, Northampton for Robinson Fields. The planning officer was Jonathan Moore.

There were no public speakers on this item.

The committee voted to approve the application in accordance with the case officer's recommendation.

2025/2241/FULL - Sears Farmhouse, Hill Road, Lower Boddington

The chair, Councillor John East, explained that for technical reasons surrounding the listed building consent that accompanied this application, this item had been withdrawn from the agenda and would be considered at the 6 November 2025 meeting of the committee. The application was for the conversion of an existing garage into a self-contained dwelling with associated parking turning and landscaping at Sears Farmhouse, Hill Road, Lower Boddington.