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Evening all. @NorthamptonBC planning committee is meeting at The Guildhall this evening. Thread of decisions being made here. #LDReporter
@NorthamptonBC A lot of apologies tonight from elected members. Just seven of the 13 councillors are here.
@NorthamptonBC First application up is the move of NN Contemporary Art (@NNPress) across the road from 9 Guildhall Road to 24 Guildhall Road at County Hall.

Would effectively see a change of use from offices at County Hall into an art studio for the organisation.
Here's the report I did previewing this application. northamptonchron.co.uk/news/politics/…
Not much to discuss on that one. Quickly approved by the councillors.
Next up is the conversion of the remaining buildings at the former Pearce leatherworks factory on Wellingborough Road. Proposal is make it into 20 flats and three live-work offices. More details here: northamptonchron.co.uk/news/politics/…
Andy Lord, development manager for the applicants Clayson Homes, says: "This will help save an iconic listed building before any further damage arises from vandalism or the passage of time."

He says it 'respects the original design' and says no objections have been raised.
He adds that they have a buyer lined up for the property subject to a 'positive decision' being taken tonight.
Debate between councillors now at the lack of electric vehicle charging points. New council policy requires one charging point per unit, but officers say that would make the scheme 'unviable'. They consider it more important to secure the long term future of the listed building.
Andy Long says that putting in 20 EV charging points would be difficult, but says they could stretch it to 5. That appears to have won a couple of councillors around.
*Andy Lord* that should read.
Cllr Andrew Kilbride: "I know this site very well. I know the residents who brought houses next to the site think it's been an eyesore, and I welcome the advancement of this scheme."
A condition has been added to include the five electric vehicle charging spaces.

That's enough to sway the committee - who APPROVE the scheme unanimously with that added condition.
Next up is change of use from three self-contained flats at 10 The Crescent [Phippsville ward] to a HMO for 16 occupants.
The 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 has been called in by Councillor Danielle Stone (@Dalwahabi). She says: "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."
@Dalwahabi The application is APPROVED, with six of the seven councillors voting in favour. Cllr Kilbride abstains.
@Dalwahabi Another HMO application up next. Change of use from house to HMO for six occupants at 102 Lea Road.
@Dalwahabi Approval is already 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.
.@MattGolby says he is 'uncomfortable' with the proposals as he doesn't think the road is appropriate for a six-person HMO.

But Cllr Brian Oldham says: "We've approved it for five. I don't think it will be overbearing for one extra occupant."
@MattGolby The application is APPROVED, with four councillors voting in favour, one against, and two abstentions.
@MattGolby Next up is reserved matters application bringing forward appearance, landscape, layout and scale details for the 14 homes that were given outline planning permission on land off Mill Lane in Dallington.
@MattGolby Scheme has faced objections from 10 residents, as well as @CllrGarethEales. Here's a summary of complaints about the proposals.
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales .@CllrGarethEales: "I think you should defer this application if you cannot remove plot 14 - the main issue is intrusion."
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales Resident Raymond Dumont is also arguing against the proposals.

He says: "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."
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales Raymond Dumont [cont]: "We cannot comprehend why our comments have been disregarded and the plans not altered.

"We know there will be a development, but nobody is listening to what is wrong."
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales Matt Collerson, speaking on behalf of the applicant, says: "A lot of the concerns from residents have already been accepted by the council. The separation zones meet all the council's design standards."
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales .@MattGolby: "I understand the concerns of residents who had nice uninterrupted views. But we have to wrestle that with the housing that we need. But I'm inclined to support it because a decent amount of time has been spent to listen to residents' concerns and amend things."
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales The scheme is APPROVED by the committee unanimously.
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales We've had a short break, and next up is a new replacement office at the Westbridge Depot - which is used by Veolia - at St James Mill Road.
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales Very quickly APPROVED unanimously by the committee.
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales Back to a couple of HMO applications. Will let you know the outcome for them both.
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales One approved, one refused. They are:

✅ Change of use from house to HMO for four occupants at 46 Palmerston Road [part retrospective].
❌ Change of use from house to HMO for four occupants at 41 Alfred Street [retrospective].
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales Now discussing another reserved matters application. It's for appearance, landscape, layout and scale for six dwellings that were previously given outline planning permission on grazing land off of Mill Lane in Kingsthorpe.
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales The reserved matters application is APPROVED unanimously.
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales One last HMO application. Change of use from house to HMO for five occupants plus a new rear door at 17 Holly Road.

APPROVED.
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales Committee have just APPROVED the Spires Academy's bid to stay for an extra three months at their temporary building until May.

They've been using a former council depot since 2017.

Facility at Northgate House on Sheep Street is undergoing conversion to offer a permanent home.
@MattGolby @CllrGarethEales Final three applications for the evening were all from @NPH_news. All approved.

1) Demolition of 10 garages and erection of two-storey detached dwelling with car park at 43 Hopmeadow Court.
2) Construction of two new build units and car parking spaces at land adjacent to 37 Windermere Way.

3) Two-storey side extension, demolition of single garage to be replaced by double garage. Retrospective application at 11 Toms Close.
And with that, this evening's planning committee meeting at The Guildhall has come to an end. #LDReporter
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