Agenda and draft minutes

It was noted that Councillors North and Wilkes had submitted apologies for the meeting.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2025 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting and these were duly signed.

The chair asked members if they wished to make a declaration of interest on the agenda item.

Councillor P Irwin made a declaration as ward councillor for the area.

Councillor L Lawman made a declaration that a fellow councillor lives in the housing complex next door, she was also aware of a number of objectors.

Councillor Mercer made a declaration that he had previously visited the adjacent building.

The following councillors had carried out an independent informal site visit:

Councillor Bert Jackson, Councillor J-P Carr, Councillor T Allebone, Councillor J Bone

Resolved that the interests were noted.

The committee considered an application for the demolition of the existing building and the erection of a two-storey apartment block containing 26 apartments for the over 55’s (consisting of 24 x 1 bed and 2 x 2 bed), parking, landscaping, retention of access and associated works. In addition, an update was circulated which included a further objection letter and details of Historic England Listing application and outcome.

The senior development management officer presented the report to committee detailing the proposal, full description of the site, the planning history, relevant planning priorities, outcome of consultations and assessment of the proposal.

It was recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to the completion of a satisfactory S106 legal agreement securing appropriate planning obligations and that should a satisfactory Section 106 agreement securing appropriate planning obligations not be completed by 30 June 2025, or any further extension of time agreed in writing between the applicant and the Local Planning Authority, that it be delegated to the executive director of place and economy to refuse planning permission.

Requests to address the meeting had been received, and the chair permitted one objector and the agent to speak for three minutes.

In summary, the history and importance of the building was referenced, with details of how the building, known as the Cottage Hospital had been gifted to the people of Wellingborough and that it was regarded as a significant building for the people of Wellingborough and that it should be retained.

The agent explained that the proposal before the committee complied with the policy and housing need for affordable housing. The building was not located in the conservation area. The building had been used as a Care Home but the Care Quality Commission had found it to no longer be fit for purpose and the building had been unoccupied for some time. During the pre-application process the height of the building had been reduced from three storeys to two.

The chair invited members to ask questions of clarity only.

The committee did not raise any questions of clarity to the objector but asked the agent to clarify if the frontage of the building could be retained.

The agent responded that this had been explored but it was not viable to do so. 

With regard to parking more detail was required around electric vehicle charging points and concern that, considering the potential age group of the occupants, disabled parking was limited. There was also further concern that there was limited parking provision on the site generally.

The agent confirmed that there were charging points and that the disabled spaces and number of general spaces complied with policy. 

Clarity was sought on the number of lifts to be installed and whether there would be room for a mobility scooter in the lift. The agent confirmed there was one lift and that the guidelines were that a mobility scooter should not be used in a lift or be located on the first floor due to building regulations and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

There being no further business the chair closed the meeting at 8.45pm.

                                                            Chair…………………………

                                                            Date ………………………….