This month’s Parish Council (PC) meeting once again focused on planning matters. The WNC 2023 approved outline application to extend the Grants Hill Way Industrial Estate despite PC objections, is now being considered for detail. The PC will again raise its objection and will submit a request for a detailed transport assessment (that was never done for the estate) together with mitigation for surface water flooding.
There are new planning regulations that will take effect at the end of October 2026, and the main change is that ward councillors can no longer “call-in” any applications that the public want to be referred to the WNC planning committee. Instead, the emphasis is on the WNC planning officer making the decision with a “gateway test” for more significant applications being referred to committee. The PC has requested WNC to specify the new process to ensure that it is consulted on applications at a very early stage and that the Neighbourhood Plan will have full weight in any decision.
In respect of the planning application for 45 new houses off Grants Hill Way, the PC noted that, in addition to its objection and that of our Member of Parliament, some 65 objections had been received to date from parishioners. Please note that objections can still be submitted to the Planning Authority throughout this month using this link: Comment on planning application: 2026/2240/MAO - Planning register | Planning register | West Northamptonshire Council
The PC’s full compliment of Councillors is 14, but currently we only have 9 – this means that we are stretched in performing the duties expected of us. Councillors are volunteers and if you or someone you know are interested in taking on a role in the Parish for the benefit of all residents, please contact the Chair Paul.Blackwell@woodford-cum-Membris-PC.gov.uk.
