Planning process

The proposal can go ahead only if it receives planning permission from the local planning authority, South Northamptonshire Council, or if an appeal against refusal of planning permission is successful.For a project of this magnitude, the planning application has to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement, setting out the probable effects of the project on the local landscape, the community, listed buildings and conservation areas, the wildlife, the road network, aviation and so on.

The first stage in the preparation of such a statement is a "Scoping Report" which sets out the matters to be taken into account. The company have agreed such a report with South Northamptonshire Council and the assessment which will lead to the report is currently being undertaken. This work is taking Broadview as stated on their website only a couple of months! The company will then be in a position to submit a planning application to SNC.

SNC will consult widely on the implications of the proposal before making a decision and will need to take into consideration all representations, including those made by the local Parish Councils and local residents.

Once the application is received and registered as valid, the Council has 16 weeks in which to decide whether to approve or refuse. All documentation submitted by the applicant should be available to view on SNC's website. The decision will be made at a meeting of the Development Control Committee which is open to members of the public. The applicant will have a chance to speak, as will a representative of the Parish Council(s) and one objector. It is expected that the Council will take the full 16 weeks it is allowed in carrying out its consultations, which will probably mean that the key Committee meeting making the decision will be in about January/February 2010. If South Northamptonshire Council decided to approve the application there would be no possibility of appealing against this except on a point of law (e.g. claiming that the council had neglected to consult properly).

If the application is refused, the applicant has 6 months to decide whether or not to appeal. If the Council were minded to refuse the application then it is very likely that Broadview will appeal. In the case of a refusal and subsequent appeal, it is likely that a public inquiry would be scheduled for mid 2011.

There are various ways in which appeals are heard and in this case it is almost certain that there would be an inquiry held before an Inspector appointed by the Government. The Inspector would make his report and recommendations to the Secretary of State (for Communities and Local Government) who would make the final decision on whether to allow the appeal (and therefore grant permission) or dismiss it. There would be then no further appeal possibilities other than on a point of law.