The big planning applications agreed in South Northamptonshire this week

It was the first time the committee has met since the government implemented lockdown, and they met virtually – marking the first online council meeting in the authority’s history.

The committee’s chairman, Councillor Richard Dallyn, said: “There were some hiccups, which mainly illustrate the need for better broadband in some parts of the district, but this first for the council clearly demonstrates the democratic process is alive and well in South Northants despite the coronavirus.”

The committee discussed eight applications, with all but one being approved. Here’s a detailed look at the decisions that were taken.

REFUSED: Land to the rear of 27 High Street, Paulerspury

The one application to be refused was the first on the agenda, and concerned 37 homes being proposed to be built just off the High Street in the village of Paulerspury. Officers said that the application, submitted by Rainier Developments Ltd and National Westminster, contradicted the Local Plan. Councillor Ian Westall, a Paulerspury parish councillor said the application ‘would extend the village into the countryside in a way which would change the character and appearance of the locality’. But an agent for the applicants said it would offer much needed affordable housing. Ward councillor Sandra Barnes also argued that the access to the site off the High Street would be ‘dangerous’. The scheme was unanimously refused, and you can read more about the debate and decision here.

APPROVED: Meadow Cottage, School Lane, Adstone

The application was seeking consent for the construction of a new two-storey dwelling on a plot of land which is currently garden space to Meadow Cottage, on the western side of School Lane. The plans had been called in by Councillor Sandi Smallman, who said the application was ‘highly contentious within the village’ and questioned its impact on the appearance of the street scene. Councillor Roger Clarke said he has also been ‘inundated’ with objections from residents. But the scheme was nonetheless approved by the committee, though not unanimously.

APPROVED: Land to the east of 1 Hortonsfield Road, Yardley Gobion.

The applicants wanted to erect an attached dwelling forming a new end of terrace. Council leader Ian McCord had ‘called in’ the application, saying it ‘raises concerns about the principle of development close to the conservation area and parking and access issues down a narrow lane'. But the scheme was approved by the committee.

APPROVED: Towcester Vale, London Road, Towcester.

The scheme forms a small part of Southern Urban Extension (SUE), a larger development to the south of the town. The 47-home application, submitted by Persimmon Homes, neighbours The Folly Pub and had already been granted outline planning permission and was seeking permission for final details such as appearance, layout and scale. Despite some concerns from committee members as to whether a parcel of land in the application should be designated as a cemetery instead of allotment, the scheme was eventually unanimously approved after councillors were warned they were unlikely to fend off an appeal if they deferred a decision. Read more about the committee's decision to approve here.

APPROVED: Land at J16 M1, Weedon Road, Upper Heyford [four applications].

The final four applications were all effectively part of one development, but required four separate votes from councillors. It related to energy generation for several units at the warehouse and lorry park development being built near the Red Lion truck stop next to the M1. Councillors were told that the applicant would find it ‘very challenging’ to provide a ‘significant’ number of solar panels on the site. Councillors approved all four applications with the proposed number of panels from the applicants.