Appeal launched over delayed flat proposal

An appeal has been launched after a council failed to make a decision within a required timeframe on plans to convert a vacant office block into 51 flats.

A proposal to redevelop Sol House, a five-storey building in Northampton town centre, were first unveiled in April 2024.

The development aimed to transform the office block on St Katherine's Street into 45 one-bedroom flats and six two-bedroom units.

West Northamptonshire Council was due to decide on the proposal by August 2024, but has yet to issue a formal conclusion.

The homes would be offered at market rates with no provision for social housing.

According to planning documents seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, council consultees, including the local authority's highways and heritage teams, did not raise significant objections but requested further details on waste storage arrangements.

The last document related to the application was uploaded in July 2024.

A key concern over the development was parking provision, with the council suggesting 57 parking spaces would be required.

The developer, however, proposed 19, arguing that the site's town centre location and public transport links make it "highly sustainable".

A Freedom of Information request revealed that appeals against planning non-determination have increased since the council became a unitary authority.

The planning inspector's review began earlier this month, with final comments from interested parties due by 24 April.

A decision date has not yet been set.

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