Field to North West of Boughton Lane

1. 1.The application site for the proposed change of use is located beyond the settlement boundary for Boughton village and within the open countryside, where there is a general presumption against sporadic new development. The application site is also within land defined as Green Wedge in the adopted Part 2 Local Plan, the purpose of which is to protect the identity, character, and setting of settlements within the Northampton urban fringe in order to maintain physical and visual separation between settlements. The infrastructure associated with the proposed change of use, particularly the 1.95m high wire mesh fencing bordering and separating the proposed individual paddocks, will be readily visible from surrounding public roads and public footpath CC9 and will detract from the visually open and undeveloped character of this part of the Green Wedge. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Policies SP1, RA2, RA6, ENV1, ENV3, and ENV7 of the adopted Part 2 Local Plan; to Policies S10 and BN5 of the adopted Part 1 Local Plan (WNJCS); to para. 4.10 within the adopted Boughton Village Design Statement; and to Policy S3 of the NPPF (August 2026).
2. 2.The application site sits within a landscape of local cultural significance centred around the historic Boughton Green, which has also been designated as a Local Green Space within the adopted Part 2 Local Plan and within the adopted Boughton Village Design Statement. This landscape includes the churchyard and ruined grade II listed Old Church of St. John the Baptist, which is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument, to the immediate north of the application site. The application site forms an integral part of the setting of Boughton Green; the churchyard and ruined Old Church of St. John the Baptist to the north; the grade II listed Holly Lodge to the east; and Boughton village to the west. The infrastructure that will be associated with the proposed use, in particular the many fences required to enclose and divide the exercise/training paddocks, will inevitably detract from the appearance, character, and sense of openness of Boughton Green, and the setting of these designated and non-designated assets. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Policies SP1, RA2, RA6, ENV1, and ENV7 of the adopted Part 2 Local Plan; to Policies S10 and BN5 of the adopted Part 1 Local Plan (WNJCS); to the adopted Boughton Village Design Statement; and to Policies HC2, HC8, HE4, HE6 & HE7 of the NPPF (August 2026).
3. 3.Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that a safe and suitable access can be achieved onto Boughton Lane which is a 50mph classified road. The applicant has not demonstrated that appropriate visibility can be achieved based upon prevailing vehicle speeds; that the proposed access geometry can safely accommodate the anticipated vehicle movements; that the internal layout can operate safely without vehicle conflict or obstruction; and that the development would not result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Policy TR6 of the NPPF (August 2026).
4. 4.Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the proposed development can provide adequate and sufficient mitigation to avoid unacceptable harm and disturbance to protected species that are or may be present within the site, particularly bats and badgers. Additionally, sufficient accurate baseline information has also not been provided to satisfy pre-determination Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements, including a revised Metric; a habitat condition assessment; and a Baseline Habitat Plan. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Policies SP1 and ENV5 of the adopted Part 2 Local Plan; to Policies S10 and BN5 of the adopted Part 1 Local Plan (WNJCS); and to Policy N2 of the NPPF (August 2026). Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 and Policy DM3 of the National Planning Policy Framework In accordance with the above, WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL has worked with the applicant in a

From the council's decision notice.

Application type

Full Planning Permission

Scale / size

Medium

Parish

Boughton

Date validated

11 December 2025

Last date for comments

18 February 2026

Target decision date

18 March 2026

Agent address

Henwick Barn Laxton Road Bulwick NN17 3DU

Statutory period

97 days

Documents

35