Latest news with #NorthNorthamptonshireCouncil
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Thrapston warehouse plan to go before council despite appeal
Proposals for a large warehousing development will be discussed by a council planning committee despite being the subject of an Newlands (Thrapston East) wants to build units on about 60 hectares (about 150 acres) of farmland known as Castle Manor Farm, next to the A14, in Planning Inspectorate will assess the plans for near Thrapston and Titchmarsh after North Northamptonshire Council failed to make a decision last the authority has published a report stating that the committee would have been given a recommendation to approve the application had it not gone to the inspectorate. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the council's decision on whether to grant permission will be used as evidence for the inspectorate and will be reflected in its approved at appeal, all buildings would be restricted to a maximum height of 24m (80ft) and would be able to cover a maximum of 200,000 sq m (2.2 million sq ft).Campaign group Staunch (Save Titchmarsh and Upper Nene Countryside and Habitats) has maintained its strong objections to the site throughout the planning said the plan would have a damaging impact on roads and the environment, and more storage and distribution units were not needed council said there had been more than 800 comments made on the plans, with the vast majority objecting to them.A number of nearby parish councils also developer said the application was in "direct response to very strong market demand for additional employment sites and premises in the area".The planning committee will look at the application on Wednesday, while the inquiry is scheduled to begin on 22 July, according to the Planning Inspectorate. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
People in Rushden told 'wash food and shoes' after Monoworld fire
People living near a warehouse engulfed by fire nearly a fortnight ago have been told to wash homegrown food and clean Environment Agency (EA) has agreed "limited activities" can now take place at Monoworld in Rushden, Northamptonshire, where a major incident was declared on 23 from a large quantity of burning plastic at the recycling site on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate could be seen for advice to clean produce and outdoor footwear - as well as garden furniture and cars - was issued by North Northamptonshire Council. A spokesperson for the authority said: "Air quality has improved, and residents are no longer advised to keep doors and windows closed."They added that monitoring of local watercourses had not revealed "any adverse impacts" on water or wildlife "as most of the fire water run-off was contained on site or diverted to foul sewer". What is the advice? The council has told gardeners and allotment holders towash hands thoroughly after working and before handling foodremove and clean outdoor shoes before going insidewash produce thoroughly under a running tapremove outer leaves of vegetablesclean smoke residue from garden furniture and carsIt said anyone who experiences breathing difficulties should contact their doctor or dial 999. On Wednesday, the council said the EA was now allowing "limited activities" at Monoworld "as long as the company remains compliant with their environmental permit, working practices, and it remains safe to so".The incident has now been closed by the fire service. Parts of the industrial estate not affected by the blaze "remain operational". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Former Rushden Peter Crisp department store to become flats
Plans to turn part of a former department store into flats have been approved after a successful want to convert the first and second floors of the old Peter Crisp building on the High Street in Rushden into 14 Northamptonshire Council refused the application in July over concerns that some of the flats were too small and that it was too close to a nearby protected wildlife the government's planning inspectorate overturned that rejection. The upper floors of the building have been vacant since the family-run department store closed in ground floor has since been occupied by businesses including Tesco Express, an estate agency, and a to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the applicant made changes to the plans, including changing the layout in two of the flats to reduce the number of people living developer also showed evidence it had paid out money to mitigate the impact on the special protection conservation area, the inspectorate flats will include four one-bedroom and ten two-bedroom homes, each with an open-plan kitchen and living area. No parking spaces are planning inspector said the new plans fixed the original problems and published its decision on 16 May. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Appeal hearing into major solar farm set to begin
A public inquiry is set to get under way following the rejection of plans for a major solar farm in Northamptonshire. The proposed facility would cover 145 acres (59 hectares) alongside the A14 near Thrapston. North Northamptonshire Council turned down the plans in October 2024, against the advice of its planning officers. Following an appeal from the developer, the Planning Inspectorate will now hold a public inquiry over two days, starting on Tuesday. The proposed site of Wood Lodge Solar Farm would span 145 acres (59 hectares) near the A14 at Thrapston. The applicant said the development was designed to generate enough power for up to 15,000 homes. Wood Lodge Solar Project Limited also claims it will deliver green energy that saves 21,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil fuels. It has said the proposed site is the "lowest grade land within reach of the grid connection point" and the project "represents a forward-thinking solution that supports the country's transition to renewable energy". Campaign group Staunch is opposed to the plans and is fighting the appeal as a Rule 6 party, which is when a group other than the appellant and local authority has permission to take an active part and provide evidence. Kevin Shapland, group chair, said: "In principle, Staunch are in favour of renewable energy and recognise its importance. "However, solar farm developments should not be taking place on good agricultural land which is so vital in securing the future needs of our country." Planning officers had advised the council to approve the project, arguing the renewable energy benefits outweighed potential harms. However, the council's planning committee voted against the proposal in October after hearing from residents and campaigners who claimed the solar farm would dominate the countryside and consume valuable farmland. In February, North Northamptonshire Council said it would not be defending its decision at the inquiry. Jason Smithers, then council leader, said at the time: "The planning inspector will hear all views, evidence and facts before making a decision. "The council will support and co-operate fully with the Planning Inspectorate, including working on a statement of common ground which will establish those matters which are agreed with the main parties, and which will assist the planning inspector in their decision." The hearing is due to begin on Tuesday at the council chamber of North Northamptonshire Council in Thrapston. It is expected to last two days and will hear from the appellant and interested parties. The planning inspector's verdict will be released on an unspecified date following the hearing. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Concerns about solar farm before public inquiry Public inquiry will decide if solar farm is built Solar farm refused despite approval recommendation Planning Inspectorate
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Appeal hearing into Thrapston solar farm set to begin
A public inquiry is set to get under way following the rejection of plans for a major solar farm in Northamptonshire. The proposed facility would cover 145 acres (59 hectares) alongside the A14 near Northamptonshire Council turned down the plans in October 2024, against the advice of its planning officers. Following an appeal from the developer, the Planning Inspectorate will now hold a public inquiry over two days, starting on Tuesday. What are the plans? The proposed site of Wood Lodge Solar Farm would span 145 acres (59 hectares) near the A14 at applicant said the development was designed to generate enough power for up to 15,000 Lodge Solar Project Limited also claims it will deliver green energy that saves 21,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil has said the proposed site is the "lowest grade land within reach of the grid connection point" and the project "represents a forward-thinking solution that supports the country's transition to renewable energy". Who is campaigning against it? Campaign group Staunch is opposed to the plans and is fighting the appeal as a Rule 6 party, which is when a group other than the appellant and local authority has permission to take an active part and provide Shapland, group chair, said: "In principle, Staunch are in favour of renewable energy and recognise its importance. "However, solar farm developments should not be taking place on good agricultural land which is so vital in securing the future needs of our country." What does the council say? Planning officers had advised the council to approve the project, arguing the renewable energy benefits outweighed potential the council's planning committee voted against the proposal in October after hearing from residents and campaigners who claimed the solar farm would dominate the countryside and consume valuable February, North Northamptonshire Council said it would not be defending its decision at the Smithers, then council leader, said at the time: "The planning inspector will hear all views, evidence and facts before making a decision."The council will support and co-operate fully with the Planning Inspectorate, including working on a statement of common ground which will establish those matters which are agreed with the main parties, and which will assist the planning inspector in their decision." What will happen in the inquiry? The hearing is due to begin on Tuesday at the council chamber of North Northamptonshire Council in Thrapston. It is expected to last two days and will hear from the appellant and interested planning inspector's verdict will be released on an unspecified date following the hearing. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
