On Tuesday 23 June 2026, a full judicial review hearing against North Northamptonshire Council will commence at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
The case being brought by Northamptonshire Group, STAUNCH, is in relation to a planning application approved by the council in November 2025 for a mega warehouse development between the market town of Thrapston and village of Titchmarsh.
There are five grounds on which the judicial review has been brought. These include the failure of local planning officers to assess the suitability of land intended to offset any potential harm to wildlife in the Upper Nene Valley RAMSAR, a wetland site adjacent to the proposed development that is designated under a global treaty as of significant international importance.
Other grounds include the failure of the council to take into account the illegal burial of waste by the owners of Lilford Hall Estate, the named site of the offset land.
Kevin Shapland, Chair of STAUNCH said:
“Whilst STAUNCH recognise the need for development, such activity should be
undertaken in a considered and responsible manner. It is imperative when determining such applications that local authorities ensure their procedures and decision making is conducted in a professional manner.
At present in North Northamptonshire, our communities are being repeatedly failed by a local authority that seems unable to carry out even the basic statutory and legal obligations when it comes to planning. This court case is an important step in seeking to hold our authority to account.”
The case is scheduled for two days before the Honourable, Sir Peter Lane.y failed by a
local authority that seems unable to carry out even the basic statutory and legal
obligations when it comes to planning. This court case is an important step in seeking to
hold our authority to account.”
The case is scheduled for two days before the Honourable, Sir Peter Lane.