Application to redevelop Brackmills site withdrawn at the last minute

Newlands Development Limited had been seeking outline planning consent for the demolition of the existing Howdens buildings on the site at Liliput Road, and want to construct new warehouses and distribution buildings.

A Northampton Borough Council planning report stated that the current occupiers of the building, Howdens Joinery, are ‘moving elsewhere and leaving the building vacant’. The building had served as Howdens’ national distribution centre.

No objections had been raised by any statutory bodies or residents regarding the scheme, which had been recommended for approval by planning officers at the borough council.

But councillors were told at the latest planning meeting on Thursday (January 21) that the scheme had been withdrawn by the applicants.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting, planning chairman Councillor Brian Oldham said: “We haven’t been given any details as to why as such, so I don’t know why the decision has been taken. But possibly they might want to look at some amendments.”