Daventry: Revamp of hotel and golf course set for debate

Owners of Farthingstone Hotel and Golf Course, near Daventry, want to redevelop the site

A major revamp of a country hotel and golf course is set to be considered by councillors.

The owners of Farthingstone Hotel and Golf Course, near Daventry, want to knock down the hotel and build a series of new buildings, including a new hub, a leisure building and 60 holiday huts.

The 100-acre site has been owned by Fifty Five Hospitality since May 2022.

West Northamptonshire Council's strategic planning committee will decide on the application on 20 June.

As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Fifty Five Hospitality said it bought it to create "a unique, high quality hospitality venue set amongst a revitalised landscape managed for nature".

Buildings that would be demolished include the current 16-bedroom hotel, a three-bedroom bungalow and other outbuildings.

'Re-nature'

Other amenities including a bar, restaurant and squash courts would also go.

Improvements would include increased biodiversity across the golf course, a solar hub, new staff quarters and a deer-proof enclosure around the perimeter of the whole site.

The company said it would "re-nature" about 80 acres of wildflower meadows and woodlands "replanted with native special species to create bio-corridors linking Mantles Heath and Knightly Wood".

It said all new buildings would have a "light touch on the landscape and will remain visually subservient to the natural environment we are creating".

The company ran consultation events, including two at Farthingstone Village Hall last October.

West Northamptonshire Council said it received 52 letters in support and 12 objections but that parish councils were "not entirely supportive".

Preston Capes Parish Council objected, while Farthingstone said it was worried about the impact of traffic and the proposed deer-proof fencing.

Everdon Parish Council said it was concerned about traffic and the impact on the landscape and ecology.