The latest planning applications approved in Northampton by councillors

Here’s a rundown of their decisions:

APPROVED: Relocation of Multi-Use-Games-Area (MUGA) five metres to the south of its approved position (retrospective) at Wootton Park School.

The applicants, the Department for Education, said the MUGA had been re-positioned due to the discovery of an existing soakaway that was not shown on original plans.

But ward councillor Phil Larratt objected to the application. In his strong written objection, he stated: “The proposal represents a further incursion onto the cricket pitch. The school claims to be part of the community, but all it has done is to alienate the community and deprive it of a quality sports facility.

“The objective here is to make the cricket pitch unusable leaving the need to find an alternative use for the land. As it will not be feasible as a cricket pitch, have no doubt whatsoever that there will be an application to develop the site for housing or a care home.”

Sport England raised no objections, saying although there was a minor incursion onto the pitch, it would ‘not reduce the sporting capability of the site’.

The scheme was eventually unanimously approved, with planning chairman Councillor Brian Oldham saying: “I share Councillor Larratt’s concerns, but we have things in place to stop people pushing this too far.”

APPROVED: Single storey side extension and single storey rear extension and detached garage at 47 Park Avenue North

The extension proposals raised objections from neighbours, who said the design was ‘out of keeping’. The committee heard from a direct neighbour, who said it would block light onto their property.

Their concerns were echoed by ward councillor Anna King. Councillor Arthur McCutcheon voted against the scheme saying it was ‘quite ghastly’, but he was the only one to do so. Cllr Jane Birch abstained, with the remaining councillors voting it through. Cllr Brian Markham said he could find no planning reasons on which to refuse it.

APPROVED: Creation of new access to serve 379 – 399 Harlestone Road with associated highway works to Harlestone Road.

The application was to serve a new nine-metre wide access road, a pedestrian island and zebra crossing. This would lead to the closure of the existing eastern access to the site. The access is required ahead of a new primary school and food store that have been earmarked to be built near to the site.

Eight objections were received, which said Harlestone Road was already extremely busy and that vehicles turning into the site will obstruct access to properties on Harlestone Road.

Councillor Alan Bottwood said he used this road a lot, and that the new access would be a ‘big improvement’.

APPROVED: Change of use from home to House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) for four occupants, with alterations to front and side elevations, at 10 Melville Street.

The proposal would see the conversion of a three-bedroom dwelling to four bedroom HMO. Councillor Danielle Stone ‘called in’ the application due to ‘overdevelopment, parking pressures, pressure on services and the likelihood of creating an unbalanced community’. But no reasons were found on which to base a refusal, and the scheme was passed with two councillors abstaining.

APPROVED: Demolition of existing outbuilding and single storey flat roof rear extension and erection of new two storey side and single storey rear extensions at 9 Farm Close.

With no objections received, councillors quickly waved approval through.

APPROVED: Planning and Listed Consent Applications for the installation of gates at the entrance and exit of Jeyes Jetty.

The committee approved long-held plans by the council to install gates at the alleyway known as Jeyes Jetty. The jetty, which connects Drapery with College Street, has been a hotspot for anti-social behaviour. Read more about this decision here.

NORTHAMPTON PARTNERSHIP HOMES

Two applications, both related to Pikemead Court, were also approved by the council. The first proposal was for the creation of two parking zones. One parking zone will provide five parking spaces and the second will provide two parking spaces. The zones will replace the grassed space to the front of properties.

The second application – just around the corner from the first application – was to move a proposed bungalow that will replace the six demolished garages at the site 2.5 metres to the west of where it was originally permitted.

Both schemes were approved.