The planning applications decided this week by Daventry District Council

Members of the authority’s planning committee met using Zoom technology to discuss four applications before them – and here’s a rundown of the decisions.

WITHDRAWN: Change of use of agricultural land to retail, and construction of three new retail buildings at Heart of the Shires shopping village, Watling Street, Norton.

The committee’s first application of the evening had been due to be a redevelopment of the Heart of the Shires shopping complex on Watling Street near Norton. The proposal was for the construction of a new garden centre with six retail units to the first floor, and also included the construction of a U-shaped single storey building with three retail units.

But members of the committee were told that the application had been withdrawn by the applicants, and that there was no need for them to discuss it.

APPROVED: Demolition of existing garage and construction of replacement double garage with rooms above, at Holly House, Old Forge Lane, Preston Capes.

The application proposed the demolition of an existing double garage and construction of a replacement double garage with rooms above, and a greenhouse and garden room to the side and rear.

The application had been brought to the Planning Committee due to an objection raised by the Parish Council on grounds of size, scale and materials, and the effect of the proposal on the nearby listed buildings and conservation area.

But Councillor Ian Robertson said: “It seems strange that the parish council haven;t bothered to show up tonight to discuss this with us, so I tend to feel they can’t really be that bothered. The application seems to be quite nice and fits the building well.”

The committee approved the scheme unanimously.

REFUSED: Single storey rear extension and front porch at 65, High Street, Pitsford.

Despite officers recommending to approve the scheme, committee members decided to unanimously refuse the scheme due to the size of the extension.

Councillor Jonathan Harris said: “I echo the comments that have been made thus far. This is one of those applications that if we applied a common sense test, which I know doesn’t exist under planning law, we would all agree that it’s a rather large extension and I think if we were in a situation as neighbours we would all be very concerned about the amount of light that it would be blocking.”

And Councillor Mark Wesley added: “I do think overall it’s too big. I agree with the others.”

APPROVED: Widening of existing 4m wide link road between Middlemore and Heartlands, at Newnham Drive/Farnborough Drive.

The committee was voting on an application from the council itself. The plans were to widen and reconfigure the existing link road situated between the Heartlands industrial estate and Middlemore residential estate. The road is currently owned by Daventry District Council and the application made following highway safety concerns being reported by members of the public.

Daventry Town Council was supportive of the scheme to allow general use for two-way traffic. Members unanimously approved the proposals.