Six-person house in multiple occupation at 1 Derby Road, Northampton

What was proposed

The application proposed converting a dwelling into a six-person house in multiple occupation with single-storey rear and side extensions.

“Development: Conversion of dwelling [Use Class C3] to House in multiple occupation [Use Class C4] for 6 Occupants including single storey rear & side extension…”

“Proposal Conversion of dwelling [Use Class C3] to House in multiple occupation [Use Class C4] for 6 Occupants including single storey rear & side extension…”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is an end-of-terrace Victorian house in Abington, near a local centre, with no off-street parking and reliance on street parking.

“The site is located within the Abington area of Northampton, located circa 65m east of the Kettering Road local centre. The site itself consists of an end of terrace Victorian house with a south-north orientation. The built form is relatively standard in design with a side pitched roof and a protruding two storey sloped roof form of development located to the rear. The site consists of no off street parking and is reliant on on-street parking.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

The report states that there is no planning history directly relevant to the proposal.

“There is no planning history directly relevant to the proposal.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions, finding the proposal acceptable on character, amenity, parking, safety and other planning issues.

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

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

Officer report

What consultees said

The town council and a ward councillor objected, while highways and heritage officers raised no objections; police and housing officers commented.

“Consultee Name Position Comment Northants Police, Designing Out Crime Officer Comment Area is known to be heavily parked with parking concerns regularly reported to neighbourhood police teams. Northampton Town Council Objection Pressure on local amenities, particularly parking. Over-development of the property.”

“Phippsville Ward – Councillor Bob Purser received WNC Private Sector Housing – Intel team Comment Confirmed the status of nearby dwellings to ensure an accurate concentration figure was identified.”

Officer report

What neighbours said

Six objections raised overconcentration, parking, refuse, family housing, additional comings and goings, neighbour amenity and waste management.

“Below is a summary of the third party and neighbour responses received at the time of writing this report.”

“Overconcentration • Highway Safety/ Parking • Refuse • Loss of a family home • Impact of additional comings and goings • Neighbour Amenity • Waste Management…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The ward councillor spoke against the application, while the applicant’s agent spoke in support and cited policy compliance and sustainable development.

The committee vote

A motion to approve was carried with four votes in favour, three against and four abstentions.

“It was proposed by Councillor Daniel Rainbird and seconded by Councillor Adrian Cartwright that application 2026/0629/FULL be approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation. The motion was put to the vote with four votes cast in favour of the proposal, three votes cast against with four abstentions, therefore the motion was carried, and the application was approved.”

Minutes

What the committee decided

The committee delegated authority to grant permission subject to the report’s conditions and any necessary amendments.

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

“(1) That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to grant permission to application 2026/0629/FULL subject to the conditions set out in the report (and any amendments to those conditions as deemed necessary).”

Minutes