A government planning inspector has overturned the Borough Councils decision to refuse planning permission for the car wash that has been operating for some months in the car park at the Romany pub. This is surprising and disappointing. The car wash started without proper permission and has reduced parking spaces in the car park, as well as being an unsightly operation without proper facilities, including drainage.

The County Council have new plans to ease traffic congestion on the Harborough Rd between the Cock Hotel and Welford Rd. Proposals include carriageway widening to allow easier traffic flow, more effective traffic signals and the re-positioning of pedestrian crossings. Congestion in this area has led to it being declared an air quality amangement area due to the pollution. Anything that can be done to improve the flow of traffic while also making better provision for pedestrians and cyclists will be welcome.

Have your say on the proposals at one of the public exhibitions atKingsthorpe Methodist Church. Friday Sept. 18th 11am-2pm, Saturday September 19th 11am-2pm and Thursday 24th September 4pm-7pm.

A planning application has been received for a new 3 bedroom house at the rear of 56-58 High St. Kingsthorpe. This lies withing the Kingsthorpe Conservation Area, and the planning application can be viewed on the Council’s website. The application number is N/2009/666

The West Northamptonshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee is staging a public exhibition at Kingsthorpe Library on Tuesday & Wednesday 1st & 2nd September from 9.30pm-5.30pm. The formal deadline for representations has been extended until 30th September, but it has been made clear that representations may be taken after that date.

There will also be an opportunity for further comments at the time of the submission of a proposed plan to the government inspector.

Plans have just been published concerning the future growth of Northampton over the next twenty years, here at Introduction to Emergent Core Strategy

The proposals come about because of the Governments requirement to provide for around 40,000 new homes by 2026. The ‘Emergent Core Strategy’ as it is called has just been published by the West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit which was set up by the Government to draw up plans for how the growth would be accommodated in Northampton, Daventry andSouth Northamptonshire.

A planning application has been submitted for two houses to be built at the back of 63-67 Mill Lane. The access will be from Mill Lane, although the land currently makes up part of the garden of a property in Freemeaux Terrace, Green End.

The plans can be viewed online at www.northampton.gov.uk and are available at the council offices in the Guildhall or Cliftonville House. The planning reference number is N/2009/0027.

There have been previous applications for this site, and it is important that residents make their views known. You can email planning@northampton.gov.uk

Sadly, the NN2 residents association were outbid at auction for the land by the river known as Kingsthorpe Meadows. The highest bid was placed by Labour councillor Iftikhar Choudary acting on behalf of an anonymous bidder.

Councillor Choudary has never discussed his plans with Sally Beardsworth or myself as local councillors, and he does not speak or act on behalf of the council. Any plans to build a mosque or any other large building there would require planning permission, and as we know, the land is largely in the floodplain and has been identified as open space in the local plan.

We will wait to see what is proposed. If Cllr Choudary has plans for community use of the land, it is disappointing that he did not discuss these with residents or the councillors for the area before the auction. We will continue to support residents in their efforts to protect the land for the local community and await with interest news of Cllr. Choudary’s plans.

A planning application has been submitted for a smoking area and dining area in the car park at the back of the Cock Hotel. The planning reference is N/2008/0954 and the plans can be viewed on the Borough Council’s website or at the council officers in the Guildhall or Cliftonville House.

Northampton Borough Council has tonight objected to plans to build 1,250 homes at Buckton Fields, next to Whitehills and Spring Park in Kingsthorpe. The planning application will be decided by Daventry District Council, but Northampton Borough Council has objected on grounds of the traffic impact in Kingsthorpe. Andrew Simpson, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Northampton North had written in with his objection, and local councillors for Boughton Green, Trini Crake and John Yates have added their support to the objections.

If the Government insists, we cannot stop new development on green fields around Northampton, but we should not accept development without the roads and local facilities neccessary to protect the quality of life of existing residents.

A planning application has been submitted for the demolition of the United Trades Club at the corner of Balmoral Rd and Kingsthorpe Rd and the building of 23 flats with parking. The plans are available on the Borough Council’s website www.northampton.gov.uk, the reference number is N/2008/0762.

A new planning application has been submitted for the empty St. Davids Middle School building. Richardson Homes plan to convert it to a residential care home and nursing home, with access from Kingsland Gardens. The plan includes a new single storey extension and the closure of the vehicle access onto Harborough Rd. The old school is a grade 2 listed building. Comments to the planning department should quote ref.no. N/2008/746

A planning application has been submitted for a new house at 21 Manor Rd, together with a new garage and extension to the existing house. Plans can be viewed on the councils website or at the Cliftonville House Offices. Comments should quote the reference number N/2008/702

The Council have given planning permission for flats on the garage site at the corner of Kingsathorpe Grove, Balfour Rd and Stanhope Rd.

Following comments from residents, the height of the proposed flats has been lowered. Parking will still be at the back of the Romany pub, accessed from Balfour Rd. Parking associated with the garage has been a problem for residents of Stanhope Rd for many years. Flats here will certainly mean no an end to the commercial operation on the site and all the problems that has caused. Concern over the height of the flats remains fully justified.

The planning application for new flats at 42-46 Kingsthorpe Grove (previously reported on this site) has been unanimously refused by the planning committee. Richard Church supported local residents in opposing the plan, which included 4 new flats at the back of the property with no parking provision. With on street parking already a problem, a busy junction with Osborne Rd and Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School nearby, the lack of parking on the site was unacceptable to the committee.

Richard has also called on the owner to keep the property in good condition. Residents have a right to expect that the building is not left as a local eyesore. It should refurbished and put to good use.

There is an existing consent for conversion of the building to flats, with one new flat at the back and parking which could still be implemented. The applicant does have the right of appeal which his agent has threatened to use.

A planning application has been submitted for the demolition of buildings at the United Trades Club in Balmoral Rd and the building of 22 new flats. Details of the application follow.

APPLICATION NO: N/2008/261 Date Valid 05/03/2008
Proposal Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 22No flats with associated access and parking.
Location Land at Balmoral Road Northampton.
Applicant Babington Properties Ltd The Huntersfield Flore Northants NN7 4LZ
Agent B M Waine Shoosmiths The Lakes Bedford Road Northampton NN4 7SH.
NBC Case Officer Amy Mottram

There are two new planning appplications for single houses in the Queens Park Area.

Balfour Rd-corner of Trinity Avenue
APPLICATION NO: N/2008/160 Date Valid 12/02/2008
Proposal Erection of split level dwelling - amendment to previously approved N/2003/0363.
Location Building Plot rear of 166 Balfour Road Northampton.
Applicant Mr A Symons 21 Pentalek Road Camborne Cornwall TR14 7AZ.
Agent WCA Chartered Surveyors Albany House 16 Chapel Street Camborne Cornwall TR14 8ED.
Case Officer Amy Mottram

Balmoral Road
APPLICATION NO: N/2008/212 Date Valid 21/02/2008
Proposal Erection of end-of-terrace dwelling
Location 90 Balmoral Road Northampton.
Applicant Mr. A. Dennis 31 Ridgeway Weston Favell Northampton NN3 3AP

These properties on the corner of Kingsthorpe Grove and Osborne Rd are empty and have been boarded up for ages. A planning application has now been submitted for conversion into 6 flats with another 4 flats to be built at the back. More details can be viewed on the Borough Council’s website. Let us know your views and send your comments to the council. The case officer dealing with the application at the Borough Council is Andrew Holden.

Whitehills and Spring Park Residents Association are holding an open event at the Pastures Community Centre on Saturday 28th January from 1.40-5.30pm. The open day will include a letter writing advice centre to help people put on paper their concerns about plans to build 1,250 homes at Buckton Fields. There will also be refreshments, a supervised play area and some fun activities.

The address to send views on the planning application is Ken Thursfield, Development Control Manager, Planning Services, Daventry District Council, Lodge Rd, Daventry, Northamptonshire NN11 4FP. Quote reference no. DA/2007/1400.

APPLICATION NO: N/2007/1507 Date Valid 30/11/2007
Proposal Erection of dwelliing
Location Adjacent to 63 Gillsway Northampton.
Applicant Mr. & Mrs. L. Northover 2 Fernie Fields Moulton Northampton

Ensign Ltd, the developers who want to build on Buckton Fields near Whitehills have announed a slight reduction in the number of homes they plan, from 1,500 to 1,250. They also claim to be seeking to keep the Smiths farm shop.

Ensign are submitting a separate application for just part of the site, the eastern or Harbough Rd end. Plans will be on public display at an exhibition at the Obelisk Centre, Obelisk Rise, on 12th December 2pm-9pm.

Plans can also be viwed on the developers website

This application will be determined by Daventry District Council and objections should be sent to them.

Only one new planning application this week
APPLICATION NO: N/2007/1379 Date Valid 30/10/2007

Proposal Single storey rear extension and rear/side dormers

Location 34 North Western Avenue Northampton.

Applicant A. Clarke & K. Tilley 34 North Western Avenue Northampton NN2 8HL.

Two important applications this week. Some new flats on the site of the former Moto Baldet garage on the corner of Kingsthorpe Grove and Stanhope Rd and the conversion of the old stable block at Thornton Hall into residential. Full details of these planning applications can be seen on Northampton Borough Council’s website

WEEKLY LIST OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WEEK ENDING  26/10/2007

APPLICATION NO:  N/2007/1344   

Date Valid  22/10/2007

Proposal       Proposed 19 No apartments in Kingsthorpe Grove with vehicular access and parking together with offset parking on land adjacent to 78 Trinity Avenue.

Location     194 - 200 Kingsthorpe Grove Northampton.

Applicant   Mr R York  Venulum Property Investment Econ House Owl Close Moulton Park Industrial Estate  Northampton

APPLICATION NO:     N/2007/1353   Date Valid       23/10/2007

Proposal                Conversion of stable block into 3No residential dwellings (amendment to stable block element of                             planning application N/2002/1476 approved 10 August 2004)

Location                 The Stables, Thornton Hall Mill Lane Kingsthorpe Northampton. Applicant                Heyford Homes Ltd  Noral Way Banbury OX16 2AA Agent                    Paul Wren Associates Ltd  10 Dovecote Drive Wollaton Nottingham NG8 2NB Case Officer  Amy Mottram         Listed Building Grade 2    

APPLICATION NO:     N/2007/1354                                      Date Valid       23/10/2007

Proposal                Conversion of stable block into 3no residential dwellings (amendment of stable block element of                             planning application N/2002/1476 approved 10 August 2004).

Location                 The Stables, Thornton Hall Mill Lane Kingsthorpe Northampton. Applicant                Heyford Homes Ltd  Noral Way Banbury OX16 2AA

Agent                    Paul Wren Associates Ltd  10 Dovecote Drive Wollaton Nottingham NG8 2NB

Case Officer   Amy Mottram         Listed Building Grade    2

WEEKLY LIST OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WEEK ENDING 19/10/2007

APPLICATION NO: N/2007/1319 Date Valid 15/10/2007
Proposal Replacement of existing public telephone kiosk with kiosk combining public payphone service and ATM service
Location Telephone Box Kingsthorpe Shopping Centre Harborough Road Northampton.
Applicant BT Payphones - G. McDonough Delta Point (PP05A23) 35 Wellesley Road Croydon Surrey CR9

Case Officer Parish Ward: Conservation Area Listed Building Grade
Ben Clarke N/A Kingsthorpe N/A N/A

APPLICATION NO: N/2007/1320 Date Valid 15/10/2007
Proposal First floor extension
Location 54 Fylingdale Northampton.
Applicant Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cox 54 Fylingdale Northampton NN2 8UR.
Agent Myles & Sims Architects 3 Kennel Terrace Brixworth Northampton NN6 9DL.
Case Officer Parish Ward: Conservation Area Listed Building Grade
Geoff Wyatt N/A Kingsthorpe N/A N/A

APPLICATION NO: N/2007/1332 Date Valid 17/10/2007
Proposal Single storey rear extension
Location 35 Thornby Drive Northampton.
Applicant Mr. & Mrs. Thomson 35 Thornby Drive Northampton NN2 8HA.
Agent T R Dobraszczyk Cotherstone Lodge Althorp Northampton NN7 4HH.
Case Officer Parish Ward: Conservation Area Listed Building Grade
Amy Mottram N/A Kingsthorpe N/A N/A

APPLICATION NO: N/2007/1336 Date Valid 17/10/2007
Proposal Installation of a double mobile classroom (NCC consultation)
Location Northgate School Kingsthorpe Road Northampton.
Applicant NCC Childrens &Young Peoples Service P.O. Box 216 John Dryden House 8-10 The Lakes Northampton

Case Officer Parish Ward: Conservation Area Listed Building Grade
Geoff Wyatt N/A Kingsthorpe N/A N/A

Only one new planning application this week. It is within Kingsthorpe Conservation Area, so the Conservation Area committee will be consulted. Applications can be viewed at Cliftonville House on the Bedford Rd, the Guildhall or on the councils website:

APPLICATION NO:     N/2007/1300                               Date Valid       09/10/2007 

 Proposal                Construction of new residential dwelling.

Location                 33A Manor Road Northampton.

Applicant                Halcrow Property Management  46 Roseholme Road Abington Northampton NN1 4TQ

WEEKLY LIST OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WEEK ENDING  5/10/7

APPLICATION NO:     N/2007/1266                    Date Valid       01/10/2007

Proposal             Proposed satellite dish on rear elevation on central staircase dormer. Location              Thornton Hall Close Kingsthorpe Northampton.       Applicant             Heyford Homes Ltd  Noral Way Banbury OX16 2AA Agent                  Paul Wren Associates Ltd  10 Dovecote Drive Nottingham NG8 2NB

APPLICATION NO:     N/2007/1294                              Date Valid       04/10/2007

 Proposal                Demolition of lean-to and construction of new extension to offices. Location                26 Cranford Terrace Harborough Road Kingsthorpe Northampton. Applicant        Mr P Phipps  24 Harborough Road Kingsthorpe Northampton NN2 7AZ Agent                BHC Partnership Architects  26 Cranford Terrace Harborough Road Kingsthorpe Northampton NN2

WEEKLY LIST OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WEEK ENDING  28/9/7

APPLICATION NO:     N/2007/1248                           Date Valid       24/09/2007 Proposal                Erection of raised decking area to side/rear with two canopies. Location                  Halfway House Public House Kingsthorpe Road Northampton. Applicant                Enterprise Inns Plc  3 Monkspath Hall Road B90 4SJ Agent                    Wensley Contracts Ltd.  100 Manor Farm Road Tyseley Birmingham B11 2HX Case Officer           Ben Clarke              

APPLICATION NO:     N/2007/1249                                  Date Valid       24/09/2007 Proposal     Single storey rear extension Location  13 North Western Avenue Northampton. Applicant   G. Marsden  13 North Western Avenue Northampton NN2 8HH. Agent On Time Design  5 Wisteria Way Northampton NN3 3QB.