Six-bedroom HMO extension at 8 Cedar Road, Northampton

What was proposed

The application sought a single-storey rear and side extension to increase an existing four-bedroom HMO to six bedrooms.

“Development: Proposed single storey rear and side extension to existing 4 bed House in multiple occupation to 6 bedroom House in multiple occupation…”

“Proposal Proposed single storey rear and side extension to existing 4 bed House in multiple occupation to 6 bedroom House in multiple occupation…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended delegated approval subject to conditions, finding the proposal acceptable for character, occupant and neighbour amenity, and highway safety.

“The key issues arising from the application details are: • Principle of Development • Placemaking • Impact on Local Character • Occupant Amenity • Neighbour Amenity • Fear of Crime • Parking and Highway Safety…”

“The report looks into the key planning issues in detail, and Officers conclude that the proposal is acceptable subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council objected, while highways and environmental health raised no objections; police and private sector housing provided comments.

“Consultations The following consultees have raised objections to the application: • Northampton Town Council…”

“The following consultees have raised no objections to the application: • WNC Environmental Health, • WNC Highways…”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Eight objections raised concerns including parking, highway safety, antisocial behaviour, crime, poor management, overdevelopment and neighbour amenity.

“Parking and Highway Safety • Anti-social behaviour • Motivations of Landlords • Local Crime…”

“Locally experienced poor management • Overdevelopment • Over populated • Decline of local area • Impact on neighbour amenity • Loss of historical fabric…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A ward councillor’s objection was read to the committee, and the applicant’s agent spoke in support of the proposal.

What the committee considered

The committee considered the case officer’s report and presentation, public speakers’ addresses and committee updates.

“In reaching its decision, the Committee considered the Case Officer’s report and presentation, the addresses of the public speakers, and the Committee Updates.”

Minutes

The vote

A motion to approve in line with the case officer’s recommendation passed with eight votes for, two against and one abstention.

“It was proposed by Councillor Ronald Firman and seconded by Councillor Adrian Cartwright that application 2026/0648/FULL be approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation. The motion was put to the vote with eight votes cast in favour of the proposal, two votes cast against with one abstention, therefore the motion was carried, and the application was approved.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee delegated authority to grant permission, subject to an additional cycle and refuse storage condition and the remaining report conditions.

“(1) That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to grant permission to application 2026/0648/FULL subject to:”

“The additional condition regarding cycle and refuse storage as set out in the Committee Updates.”

Minutes