The big planning applications decided in Northampton this week

The borough council’s planning committee convened at The Guildhall on Tuesday (January 21), and approved all but one of the 14 applications they heard. Here’s a rundown of their decisions.

APPROVED: Change of use of ground floor from offices to artist studio at County Hall, 24 Guildhall Road.

The first application of the evening was the proposed move of NN Contemporary Art across the road from 9 Guildhall Road to 24 Guildhall Road at County Hall. It would effectively see a change of use from offices at County Hall into an art studio for the organisation, which had outgrown its current premises.

The committee quickly granted approval.

APPROVED: Alterations and extension to existing building and conversion to 20 flats at former Pearce Leatherworks, Wellingborough Road.

Next up was the conversion of the remaining buildings at the former Pearce leatherworks factory on Wellingborough Road.

The proposal was to make it into 20 flats and three live-work offices. The applicants said it would preserve an 'iconic building'.

Councillors debated over the number of electric vehicle charging points, but eventually agreed to the scheme. Read more about the decision here.APPROVED: Change of use from house to House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for 16 occupants at 10 The Crescent.

Three existing two bedroom flats would be converted to one HMO for the 16 people in 10 bedrooms. Each floor would have a kitchen and dining unit.

David Kemp, planning consultant for the applicant, says: "This is for a substantial Victorian townhouse, and the property has the potential for airy and spacious accommodation. It is in dire need of refurbishment."

The application had been called in by Councillor Danielle Stone, who said: "The area is already at maximum with car parking and cannot absorb any further need for car spaces. 16 tenants will put undue pressure on services in the area."

But the application was approved with six of the seven councillors voting in favour. Cllr Andrew Kilbride abstained.

APPROVED: Change of use from house to HMO for six occupants with single storey rear extension at 102 Lea Road.

Approval had already been granted for it to become a five person HMO. But Pat Dooley, speaking on behalf of the applicants, says that the council's recent change in policy on HMO concentration means his applicants are finding it more difficult to find properties to convert into HMOs. He says as a result they have decided to revisit this scheme, which includes adding a single storey rear extension to the building.

Councillor Matt Golby said he was 'uncomfortable' with the proposals as he doesn't think the road is appropriate for a six-person HMO. But chairman Councillor Brian Oldham responded: "We've approved it for five. I don't think it will be overbearing for one extra occupant."

Four councillors voted in favour, with one against and two abstentions.

APPROVED: Reserved matters for 14 dwellings on land off Mill Lane, Dallington.

This application brought forward appearance, landscape, layout and scale details for the 14 homes that were given outline planning permission on land off Mill Lane in Dallington. The scheme had faced objections from 10 residents, as well as Councillor Gareth Eales.

Privacy and intrusion appeared to be the main concern. Resident Raymond Dumont said: "It's patently obvious the report underestimates the impact on existing residents. To be clear, we would be looking into the bedrooms, and our new neighbours would look straight into our living room."

But Matt Collerson, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said: "The separation zones meet all the council's design standards."

It was approved unanimously by the committee.

APPROVED: Variation of planning permission to allow the Spires Academy to occupy temporary building at Station Close.

Councillors allowed the Spires Academy a further three month extension to stay at their temporary home at the former council depot in Great Billing. This was due to further delays in delivering their new site at Northgate House in Sheep Street.

REFUSED: Change of use from house to HMO for four occupants at 41 Alfred Street (retrospective)·

The only scheme of the evening that was rejected by members of the committee. Officers said the scheme was 'detrimental to residential amenity and contrary to development plan policy'.

The following applications were also APPROVED by members of the committee:

New replacement office at Westbridge depot at 8-13 St James Mill Road.

Change of use from house to HMO for occupants at 46 Palmerston Road.

Reserved matters for outline approval for six dwellings on grazing land at Mill Lane, Kingsthorpe.

Change of use from house to HMO for five occupants at 17 Holly Road.

Demolition of 10 garages and construction of two-storey detached dwelling adjacent to 43 Hopmeadown Court.

Construction of two new dwellings and car parking spaces on land adjacent to 37 Windermere Way.

Two storey side extension, external finish of house in brick and replacement of single garage with double garage at 11 Toms Close.