When North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) was first created, it had four planning committees to consider applications that were submitted. Each committee met roughly every three weeks at a venue in the localities that they oversaw, i.e. Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and Thrapston (East Northants area).
The Local Government Association, despite having “local” in its name, strongly recommended cutting the number of committees and centralising them. NNC now has just one planning committee that meets in Corby. For some North Northants residents who may wish to be present for, or speak at, the debate, this means at least an hour’s drive.
The 75% reduction in planning committees has been matched by a reduction in the numbers of planning applications coming to committee. At the same time, there are considerable delays in determining whether to approve planning applications.
In cases where an application has been excessively delayed, the applicant can “Appeal Against Non-Determination”. This means that the application is taken over by the Bristol-based Planning Inspectorate for determination. NNC will in some cases, then be liable for the costs (and losses) of the applicant. This can run to hundreds of thousands of pounds and is paid out of the revenues of NNC.
Recently, several large applications in the NNC district have gone to Appeal because of Non-Determination. The Castle Manor warehouse application near Titchmarsh village is one example, as is Weekley Hall Wood near Kettering, but there are likely to be others.
Every time this happens, it is a defeat for local people.
- The costs incurred will ultimately come from the same budget that funds local services.
- The Council loses control of the “conditions” of any consent granted. This means that NNC and the local people have little say in the details of the design of the development.
- Local people will lose trust and confidence in the planning system.
Obviously, NNC will wish to reverse this trend. It will be interesting to see how this is achieved.