Betting shop at 139 St James Road, Northampton

The site

The single-storey vacant building is in a local centre, beside a supermarket and pub, with shared parking and a listed church nearby.

“The existing building is a single-storey block with high eaves and rendered walls. It has a pitched and metal clad roof that is largely hidden from view by a rounded gable over the shop front. The building sits directly on the public footpath and is within the St. James End Local Centre. There are 2 no. large shop front windows which are currently shuttered up as the building is vacant, and there is a pedestrian entrance to the side.”

“As the site is within the St. James End Local Centre, the street scene contains a mix of residential houses, retail outlets, food outlets, personal and professional services, and community buildings/services. There is also a listed church building to the north of the…”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier applications covered changes of use and shopfront alterations, including approved illuminated fascia signs in 2010.

“There is a planning history going back to the 1990s which relates to various changes of use and shop front alterations that are consistent with the local centre setting. Apart from the aforementioned advertising consent application, the most recent application was N/2010/0213 for some illuminated fascia signs which were approved.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended permission because the use suited the local centre, the building had been vacant, and planning impacts were acceptable subject to conditions.

“The proposal will bring back into use a building that has been vacant for over two years, and which could become a blight on local character if allowed to remain vacant for much longer. The new use is considered compatible with local centre uses and will not undermine the overall mix of uses within the wider local centre.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, police, environmental health, flood and environment consultees raised no objection, while the heritage officer supported the proposal.

“Local Highway Authority • Northants Police (Designing Out Crime Officer) • WNC Environmental Health…”

“Environment Agency • Lead Local Flood Authority The following consultees supported the application:”

Officer report

Public comments

One local resident objected, citing insufficient marketing, too many betting shops and non-compliant shopfront guidance.

“One letter objecting to the proposal was received, which raised the following issues: • No evidence that the building had been marketed for a period of 12 months prior to letting it as a betting shop. • Proposal will lead to an over-concentration of betting shops in the St. James End Local Centre. • Proposal does not comply with planning guidance regarding shop fronts.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in support, referring to the vacant unit, local regeneration, betting-shop numbers and the absence of highway objections.

The committee vote

The motion to approve was supported by seven votes, opposed by none, with one abstention.

“It was proposed by Councillor Alexander McMurtry and seconded by Councillor Adrian Cartwright that application 2025/4352/FULL be approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation. The motion was put to the vote with seven votes cast in favour of the proposal, no votes cast against with one abstention, therefore the motion was carried, and the application was approved.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was delegated to the Assistant Director for Planning and Development, subject to the report’s conditions and any necessary amendments.

“(1) That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to grant permission to application 2025/4352/FULL subject to the conditions set out in the Case Officer’s report (and any amendments to those conditions as deemed necessary).”

Minutes