49-home countryside development at Land to the east of Charwelton Road, Badby

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for up to 49 homes, public open space including play space, access, drainage, landscaping and infrastructure.

“Development: Outline application (all matters reserved except for access) for development of up to 49 dwellings, public open space (including play space) and associated drainage, landscaping, internal roads, utilities and other service infrastructure.”

“Proposal Outline application (all matters reserved except for access) for development of up to 49 dwellings, public open space (including play space) and associated drainage, landscaping, internal roads, utilities and other service infrastructure.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The 3.37-hectare pasture site lies outside Badby’s village confines in open countryside, within a special landscape area beside the conservation area.

“The application site comprises approximately 3.37ha of land to the western edge of Badby. It sits immediately adjacent to the settlement boundary of Badby village but falls outside of the village confines within an area defined as open countryside.”

“The application site lies within the Catesby and Fawsley Special Landscape Area. The Badby Conservation Area lies adjacent to the eastern edge of the site. The closest Listed Buildings to the site are Home Farmhouse and Appletree and Outlook Cottages (all Grade II Listed) and stand at the western edge of the village, with their gardens adjoining the application site.”

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

Consultation responses

The highways authority, heritage officers and parish council objected, while public health raised no objection and other consultees made comments or requested measures.

“Consultations The following consultees have raised objections to the application: • West Northamptonshire Council Local Highway Authority • West Northamptonshire Council Heritage and Conservation • Badby Parish Council…”

“The following consultees have raised no objections to the application: • West Northamptonshire Council Public Health / Health Impact Assessments…”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

A local resident, the parish council, the ward member and the applicant’s agent addressed the committee, with the first three speaking against the proposal.

Members’ debate and vote

Members proposed refusal in accordance with the officer recommendation, and the motion passed with eight votes in favour, none against and two abstentions.

“Following a debate, it was proposed by Councillor Adrian Cartwright and seconded by Councillor Alexander McMurtry that application 2026/0243/MAO be refused in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation. The motion was put to the vote with eight votes cast in favour of the proposal, no votes cast against with two abstentions, therefore the motion was carried, and the application was refused.”

“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 committee’s decision

The committee refused the application because the development would harm the village landscape and heritage and lacked sufficient evidence of safe, suitable access.

“As highlighted within the Badby Neighbourhood Development Plan and Badby Conservation Area Appraisal Management Plan, the settlement of Badby has a historic secluded character due to the surrounding topography and is well screened from view by lie of the land. Any development within this location would significantly alter the visual aspect of the village and diminish its historic secluded character.”

“The application site contains non-designated heritage assets in the form of ridge and furrow, and possible medieval settlement remains. The loss of these archaeological features would cause substantial harm to the key features of the site. The pasture field, as well as its surviving ridge and furrow is described as an area of important open space that makes a significant contribution to the rural setting of the Conservation Area.”

Minutes