west northamptonshire

West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Issues and Options

September 2007

*This map is a diagrammatic representation of West Northamptonshire

West Northamptonshire

WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE JOINT CORE STRATEGY ISSUES AND OPTIONS

ContentsPage

1 Introduction 3

2 Draft Spatial Vision and Draft Spatial Objectives 8

3 West Northamptonshire 11

4 Northampton Implementation Area 14

5 Daventry 19

6 South Northamptonshire 21

7 Towcester 22

8 Brackley 23

9 Silverstone Circuit 24

10 Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal 25

11 Weedon Depot 26

12 Rural Areas 27


Consultation

What is this about?

This Joint Core Strategy Issues and Options Paper hasbeen prepared for public consultation. There will be aneight-week period in which representations can bemade. All comments will be considered and will helpinform the Preferred Options draft of the Joint CoreStrategy that is expected to be published in February2008. This consultation is part of on-going communityinvolvement that will take place throughout thedevelopment of the Joint Core Strategy and the otherDevelopment Plan Documents that form the LocalDevelopment Frameworks.

Daventry District, Northampton Borough and SouthNorthamptonshire Councils are committed toinvolving local people, businesses and other keystakeholders in the preparation of the Joint CoreStrategy from the earliest stage so that they can be fullyinvolved in decisions that will help shape the future ofWest Northamptonshire.

This Discussion Paper sets out the main issues thathave been identified so far that the Joint Core Strategy(JCS) should address and suggests some options toaddress the issues.

The paper does not seek to set out all possibleissues and alternative options, instead itrepresents initial thoughts and provides theopportunity to raise new issues and options.The paper does not identify suggested policies.These will not be prepared until the later stagesof the process.

The paper is structured into a number of sections.Section 1 is the introduction. Section 2 sets out a draftvision and draft spatial objectives for WestNorthamptonshire. Sections 3 – 12 are by place orarea and cover West Northamptonshire, NorthamptonImplementation Area, South Northamptonshire,Daventry, Towcester, Brackley, Silverstone Circuit,Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT),Weedon Depot and the Rural Areas. Each sectionprovides some context, then a summary of the keyissues followed by some alternative options.

Daventry District, Northampton Borough and SouthNorthamptonshire Councils would like to know whatyou think of the draft vision and the draft objectives,what you think are the issues and the options foraddressing those issues. If you think there are otherissues and options that have not been identified please letus know.

Questions are asked throughout the Discussion Paperto help you to tell the three Councils what you think. Aseparate questionnaire has also been prepared to helpyou comment.

The consultation period for this paper isWednesday 5 September – Wednesday31 October. Comments should be sent to theWest Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unitby no later than 5pm on Wednesday31 October 2007.

A series of exhibitions, workshops and other events willbe held throughout the eight-week consultation periodfor you to discuss the issues and options and to find outmore about the Joint Core Strategy. Please see theseparate Issues and Options Summary Leaflet orcontact the Joint Planning Unit for details.

How to Comment

To respond to the issues and options identified in this Discussion Paper please fill in the questionnaire. Thequestionnaire can be downloaded or completed on-line via any of the websites listed below or is availableon request by phoning 01604 837838.

http://www.westnorthamptonshirejpu.orghttp://www.southnorthants.gov.ukhttp://www.daventrydc.gov.ukhttp://www.northampton.gov.uk

Please clearly mark your responses “Joint Core Strategy Issues and Options Response” and returnby post, fax or e-mail to:

West Northamptonshire Joint Planning UnitCliftonville HouseBedford RoadNorthamptonNN4 7NRFax: 01604 838543Email: [email protected]

For further information please telephone the Joint Planning Unit on 01604 837838

All comments and views received on the Issues and Options Discussion Paper will be carefullyconsidered and made available to the public.


1 Introduction

West Northamptonshire

1.1 West Northamptonshire is the area that iscovered by Daventry, Northampton and SouthNorthamptonshire Councils. WestNorthamptonshire includes the towns ofNorthampton, Daventry, Towcester and Brackley,and all the villages and rural areas within thethree Councils’ areas.

Diagram 1: West Northamptonshire

3 September 2007


*This map is a diagrammatic representation of West Northamptonshire


September 2007 4

1.2 West Northamptonshire is part of the MiltonKeynes and South Midlands growth areaidentified by the Government in its SustainableCommunities Plan. The purpose of these areasis to provide for major growth. This means thatparts of West Northamptonshire will experiencesignificant change and development over thenext 15 – 20 years.

1.3 The fact that West Northamptonshire is going toexperience this growth is not open to debate.This decision has already been taken at thenational and regional levels. What is open todebate is:

• what types of places we want to create overthis period;

• where the growth should go;• what type of development it should be;• what should be provided to support the

development (this is known as infrastructure);and

• when and how the development andinfrastructure should be provided.

How Much Growth

1.4 How much growth, in terms of how many housesand jobs, is decided at the regional level – in theMilton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy (SRS) which is part of theRegional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands(this is also known as the Regional Plan).

1.5 The Draft East Midlands Regional Plan makesprovision for 62,125 dwellings between 2001and 2026.

1.6 The SRS emphasises the need to comparehousing growth with jobs growth. To enable thisthe SRS includes a figure for the increase in jobsin West Northamptonshire from 2001 to 2021of 37,200 jobs. The review of the Regional Plandoes not include a jobs growth figure for 2021to 2026.

1.7 The SRS requires that growth and developmentbe underpinned by:

• the more effective use of previously developedland;

• the building of a range of high quality housingin sustainable locations;

• the attraction and provision of a range ofgood quality jobs;

• the provision of necessary services in the fieldsof education and training, health and socialcare, recreation, and other communityactivities;

• the provision of high quality greeninfrastructure of all kinds; and

• an integrated approach to accessibility,aiming at reducing dependence on privatecar use through an improvement in publictransport provision (including movementwithin and between the main centres), walkingand cycling.

1.8 The SRS states that the levels of growth willrequire the commitment of substantial levels ofresources to deliver many kinds of necessarystrategic infrastructure, both to serve the newdevelopments and to make good a number ofexisting deficiencies. Appropriate contributionswill be required from many sources, both in theprivate and public sectors. Unless these needsare met it may not be possible to provide thelevels of housing and economic growth set outin the SRS.

Working Together to Deliver SustainableGrowth

1.9 Daventry District, Northampton Borough andSouth Northamptonshire Councils arecommitted to working together withNorthamptonshire County Council and WestNorthamptonshire Development Corporationand other partners to plan for and implementthis growth in an effective, cohesive andsustainable manner through the preparation ofthe Local Development Frameworks for the areaand the determination of major planningapplications.

The Local Development Frameworks

1.10 In 2004, the Government introduced a newplanning system that replaced Local Plans andStructure Plans with the Local DevelopmentFramework (LDF). Together with the RegionalSpatial Strategy (or Regional Plan) the LDF willform the Development Plan, which is the basisfor all planning decisions.

1.11 This new planning system is based on a ‘spatialplanning’ approach. Spatial planning is aboutbuilding and integrating communities by makingand shaping the places that people live in, workin, invest in and visit. Spatial planning is alsoabout making sure that there are planningpolicies to support the goals of other policiesand programmes produced and implemented

by a wide range of organisations andindividuals. Documents in the LDFs will be thekey to delivering the Community Strategieswhere the aims of those strategies are related tothe environmental, social or economic impactsof development. Successful implementation anddelivery is dependent on the three Councilsworking in partnership with other keyorganisations and stakeholders.

1.12 The LDF will be made up of a group ofdocuments. Diagram 2 illustrates the documentsthat will form the LDFs for WestNorthamptonshire with the Joint Core Strategy(JCS) at the heart of the LDF. Full details,including the timetable for the preparation of thedocuments, is set out in the Joint LocalDevelopment Scheme (published March 2007).

5 September 2007


Development PlanDocuments (DPD)• Northampton Implementation

Area DPD• West NorthantsWest Northants W Rural Areas DPD• West Northants DevelopmentWest Northants Development W

Control Policies DPD• Brackley DPD• Daventry DPD• Northampton Central Area

Action Plan• Sixfields Area Action Plan• Towcester DPDTowcester DPDT

Supplementary Planning Documents(SPD)• Energy Efficiency & Renewable

Energy SPD• West Northants Affordable

Housing SPD• Middlemore SPD• Town & Village DesignTown & Village Design T

Statements SPD• Moat Lane, Towcester SPDTowcester SPDT• Silverstone Circuit SPD

AnnualMonitoring

Reports (AMR)Monitors

implementation of plansand measures their

effectiveness

Joint Core Strategy

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

Sets out how and with whomwe will consult

Joint Local Development Scheme (LDS)

Sets out programme for the JointCore Strategy, Development Plan Documentsy, Development Plan Documents y

& Supplementary Planning Documents

Diagram 2: West Northamptonshire Local Development Frameworks


September 2007 6

West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit

1.13 Daventry District, Northampton Borough andSouth Northamptonshire Councils haveestablished the West Northamptonshire JointPlanning Unit (JPU) to prepare the JointDevelopment Plan Documents, including theJoint Core Strategy and the Joint SupplementaryPlanning Documents. Each Borough and DistrictCouncil continues to be responsible forpreparing its own Local DevelopmentDocuments addressing local matters althoughco-ordination of the overall programme by theJPU will be necessary. The JPU is responsible tothe West Northamptonshire Joint LDF SteeringGroup which comprises two Councillors fromeach Council with the active involvement ofNorthamptonshire County Council and the WestNorthamptonshire Development Corporation.The Steering Group’s role is to oversee thepreparation of the Joint Documents andassociated studies and to discuss commonplanning issues across West Northamptonshire.

About the Joint Core Strategy

1.14 The JCS is the priority document in the JointLocal Development Scheme. It is the overarchingdocument and all subsequent documents mustreflect what it says. The JCS will cover the periodup to 2026.

1.15 The role of the JCS is to set out the spatial vision,spatial objectives and policies for the whole ofDaventry District, Northampton Borough andSouth Northamptonshire Councils’ areas. This

will provide the context for all the otherdocuments that make up the Local DevelopmentFrameworks that the Councils will prepareseparately and together.

1.16 The timetable for the production of the JCS is setout in the Joint Local Development Scheme. Thisis shown in Table 1 below.

The Issues and Options Stage

1.17 One of the key aims of the Local DevelopmentFramework system is “front loading”. This meansthat Councils should take key decisions early inthe preparation of local developmentdocuments. The aim is to seek consensus on thekey issues early in the preparation of plans andso avoid late changes being made. This is whythe issues and options stage is so important – itenables a wide-ranging and open debate at thestart of the Joint Core Strategy’s preparation.

1.18 The purpose of the issues and options stage is toidentify the key issues and develop alternativeoptions to address those issues. The alternativeoptions will come from the evidence base andthe views of everyone with an interest in WestNorthamptonshire.

1.19 The evidence base takes many forms. It includesfacts and figures, such as population statisticsand house prices through to detailed andcomplex studies such as Northampton LongerTerm Growth Options Study, the West

TABLE 1: Timetable for the Preparation of Joint Core StrategyCommencement of Preparation Sept 2006Preparation of Scoping Report for the Sustainability Appraisal Report Oct 2006 – Jan 2007Strategic Options and Issues (Pre-Submission consultation) March – Oct 2007Public participation on Preferred Options and initial Sustainability Appraisal report Feb – March 2008Submission of the Joint Core Strategy and the Sustainability Appraisal August 2008Pre-Examination Meeting December 2008Independent Examination Feb – March 2009Adoption of the Joint Core Strategy December 2009

Northamptonshire Housing Market Assessmentand the Northamptonshire Transport Strategy forGrowth. The evidence for WestNorthamptonshire is extensive and developing.Some key facts and figures are included inAppendix 1. The existing evidence base is listedin Appendix 2.

1.20 To start the issues and options stage the JointPlanning Unit has held three events – a keystakeholder conference and two workshops withcouncillors from the four councils.

1.21 In April 2007 the West Northamptonshire JointCore Strategy Issues and Options Conferencewas held to launch the West NorthamptonshireJoint Core Strategy. The purpose of theConference was to start to inform organisationsand individuals about the process and timetablefor the Joint Core Strategy and to start thedebate about the issues facing WestNorthamptonshire and the alternative options toaddress them. The Conference was targeted atthose organisations and individuals withtechnical knowledge.

1.22 In June 2007 two workshops were held withCouncillors from Northampton Borough,Daventry District, Northamptonshire County andSouth Northamptonshire Councils to start thedebate with them about the issues and thedevelopment of alternative options.

1.23 These events have contributed to thedevelopment of this Discussion Paper but theywere just the start of the Issues and Optionsstage.

The Sustainability Appraisal

1.24 All plans now need to be subject to aSustainability Appraisal and the Joint CoreStrategy is no exception. Despite this only beinga discussion paper it has nevertheless beensubjected to a strategic sustainability appraisalby independent environmental consultants. Theirreport is available separately but at the sametime as this Discussion Paper to allow everyoneto reflect on their appraisal in preparing

comments on this Discussion Paper. The report isavailable from the Joint Planning Unit and theCouncils’ websites.

1.25 The strategic appraisal of this Discussion Paperwill form the basis of the detailed initialsustainability appraisal report that will beprepared alongside the Preferred Optionsdocument and published with the PreferredOptions document for consultation in February –March 2008.

1.26 The consultants have already prepared the JointCore Strategy Sustainability Appraisal andStrategic Environmental Assessment ScopingReport. This Scoping Report was subject toconsultation with organisations and individualswith specialist technical knowledge in November2006 – January 2007. The Scoping Report andall the responses to it are available from the JointPlanning Unit or from the Councils’ websites.

The Next Stages

1.27 All the responses to this Discussion Paper will beassessed and used in the preparation of thePreferred Options document, which is the nextstage. The Preferred Options document will setout the preferred approach to the spatial vision,the spatial objectives and policies. The PreferredOptions document will also take into accountnational and regional guidance and anyadditional evidence. The Preferred Optionsdocument will also be subject to publicconsultation.

1.28 All the responses to the Preferred Optionsdocument will then will be fed into theproduction of the ”Submission” Joint CoreStrategy which will be the final version of theJoint Core Strategy. This will be published forcomment at the same time as being submitted tothe Planning Inspectorate for consideration at aPublic Examination. Those making comments onthe Submission document will be able to submittheir case for consideration at the PublicExamination. A report and final document willthen be produced by the Inspectorate andadopted by the Councils.

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September 2007 8

2 Draft Spatial Vision andDraft Spatial Objectives

The Draft Spatial Vision

2.1 One of the key requirements of the Joint CoreStrategy is to set out a spatial vision. The purposeof the vision is to describe:

• The kind of place we want WestNorthamptonshire to become

• How much change is needed, what type andover what time

• What physical, economic and socialinfrastructure is needed in WestNorthamptonshire, where and when

2.2 The vision should be clear and realistic. Thereshould be a focus on delivery. The vision shouldalso emphasise what is different about WestNorthamptonshire from other places - itsdistinctiveness. The vision should be long-term,covering the next 20 – 25 years.

2.3 In 2005 a draft vision for WestNorthamptonshire was prepared by the threeLocal Strategic Partnerships that cover Daventrydistrict, Northampton Borough and SouthNorthamptonshire district. Local StrategicPartnerships are non-statutory, multi-agencypartnerships that bring together at a local levelthe different parts of the public, private,community and voluntary sectors. This allowsdifferent initiatives and services to support oneanother so that they can work together moreeffectively. The Local Strategic Partnershipsthought that a vision was needed to guide thework of the West NorthamptonshireDevelopment Corporation (WNDC). This meantthat the draft vision only covered the towns thatWNDC covers – Northampton, Daventry andTowcester. The draft vision is included in the boxopposite.

A DRAFT VISION FOR WESTNORTHAMPTONSHIRE

The three Local Strategic Partnerships for WestNorthamptonshire’s joint vision is:

“Our vision is that West Northamptonshire willbecome a model of sustainable communityplanning and development. The opportunity nowexists for the network of three growing towns -Northampton, Daventry and Towcester - to haverevitalised town centres with substantial investmentin shops, housing, community and cultural facilitiesin a quality environment. The towns will beconnected by improved public transport andinterurban road systems. Development in the ruralareas and market towns will be targeted at placeswhere local people have been seeking furtherinvestment and growth. There will be a majorprogramme of green infrastructure developmentand enhancement. In line with the principles ofsustainability, development in towns or urbanextensions will meet strict design and sustainabilitycriteria ensuring that new building is backed up byjobs, transport, affordable housing and communityfacilities.

Northampton

The principal town of Northampton will be adynamic, regional commercial, cultural and touristcentre with high quality residential accommodation,which meets the needs of the existing and futurepopulation. There will be high performing academicand vocational education and training to enablethose who live and/ or work there to lead fulfillinglives. There will be a locally vibrant economy,supported by a well-educated and trainedpopulace, and it will be noted for its excellenttransport infrastructure. It will be a healthy town, withhigher than average life expectancy, contributed toby an energetic and integrated community in whichpoverty is eliminated.

9 September 2007


ThemeInfrastructure

Provision

ThemeRoles and

Relationships of the TownsTownsT

ThemeEconomicProsperity

ThemeClimate Change& Environment

ThemeBuilding &Integrating

Communities

ThemeTransportTransportT

Daventry

The historic town of Daventry will be a multi regionalcentre heading towards a 40,000 population, witha vibrant commercial core meeting the economic,social, environmental, health and leisure aspirationsof those who live and work in its district andattracting new visitors.

Towcester

Towcester will become a more vibrant, selfcontained and sustainable town, throughrevitalising the town centre, the development of thehigh tech business sector, the improvement of itssocial and physical infrastructure and theconservation of its heritage and environmentalcharacter.

Investing in West Northamptonshire

The five areas where collectively activity andinvestment needs to be focussed to achieve thisvision are environmental quality, civic pride and asense of place, infrastructure, design and publicservices.”

2.4 In 2005, as part of previous work that DaventryDistrict, Northampton Borough and SouthNorthamptonshire Councils did on separateCore Strategies, we asked for comments on thedraft vision prepared by the Local StrategicPartnerships. The vision was broadly supportedbut there were concerns that the vision was toolong, too idealistic and not specific enough toWest Northamptonshire.

2.5 We feel that the draft vision probably needs to bechanged to encompass the whole of WestNorthamptonshire, including Brackley. But whatdo you think?

Issues on the Draft Vision

V1 Do you support the draft Vision or do youthink changes should be made to it?

V2 What changes would you like to see madeto the draft vision?

Draft Spatial Objectives

2.6 The Joint Core Strategy also needs to set outobjectives. These objectives should be clear andmeasurable. The objectives provide more detailabout the vision.

2.7 Using the draft vision as the starting point a setof draft spatial objectives have been developed.These objectives have built upon national,regional and local guidance and strategies; theevidence base and consultation events that havebeen held so far with organisations andindividuals who have an interest in WestNorthamptonshire. The objectives are groupedunder six themes. These themes are shown inDiagram 3.

Diagram 3: Themes


September 2007 10

2.8 The draft spatial objectives are listed below bytheme.

Theme – Roles and Relationships of theTownsSpatial Objective 1To strengthen Northampton as a major regionalcultural and economic centre and to enhancethe role of Daventry at a sub-regional level,including the revitalisation of the town centre. Tostrengthen and develop the roles of Towcesterand Brackley in serving the towns themselvesand predominately their rural catchments.Investment in the towns will reinforce theircomplementary roles.

Theme – Infrastructure ProvisionSpatial Objective 2To ensure existing and future social, physical andgreen infrastructure is adequately provided tomeet people’s and business’ needs in a timelyand sustainable manner.

Theme – TransportSpatial Objective 3To promote ready access to high qualityemployment, facilities, services, goods and otherpeople, and so reduce the need to travel andminimise the impact on the environment.

Theme – Economic ProsperitySpatial Objective 4To strengthen and diversify the economic base ofWest Northamptonshire, in particular takingadvantage of opportunities for knowledge basedindustries due to its central location in theOxford to Cambridge arc.

Theme – Building and IntegratingCommunitiesSpatial Objective 5To provide lifelong learning and skillsdevelopment across all communities to enableparticipation in the local labour market.

Spatial Objective 6To improve the quality of life for everyone wholives, works in and visits West Northamptonshire’stowns, villages and the rural areas by buildingand creating sustainable communities that areclean, green and safe places.

Theme – Climate Change and theEnvironmentSpatial Objective 7To use land and buildings effectively bymaximising opportunities for re-using previously-developed land and vacant buildings, andimproving the quality of existing housing.

Spatial Objective 8To ensure locally distinctive, high quality designand sustainable construction which is sensitive toits environment.

Issues on the draft Spatial Objectives

SO1 Do you support the six themes? If not, what doyou suggest instead?

SO2 Do you support the draft objectives or do youthink changes should be made to them?

SO3 What changes would you like to see made to theobjectives?

SO4 Do you think any of the objectives are moreimportant than others? If so, please order theobjectives to reflect what you consider to be thepriorities and explain why?

3 West Northamptonshire

Context

3.1 The housing provision for West Northamptonshireas set out in the Draft Regional Plan is shown inTable 2 below.

3.2 The latest published job figures by district are for2005. The number of jobs created in the threedistricts between 2001 and 2005 comparedwith the estimated job growth figure is shown inTable 3 below.

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TABLE 2: Housing Requirements 2001 – 2026Total Housing Completions Outstanding RemainingRequirement1 2001-2006 Planning Housing

Permissions at Requirement1 April 2006

Northampton Implementation Area 40,375 6,5502 4,556 29,269

Daventry 13,500 1,725 1,296 10,479

South Northamptonshire 8,250 1,602 684 5,964

1These proposed housing requirements may change following consideration of representations to the Draft Plan.

2Completions relate to Northampton Borough and Grange Park in South Northamptonshire.

TABLE 3: Jobs 2001-2021Borough/District Additional Jobs Actual Job Remaining

2001-2021 Growth 2001- Job2005* Growth

Northampton 27,600 6,000 21,600

Daventry District 6,000 8,000 - 2,000

South Northamptonshire 3,600 2,000 1,600

* Source of actual job growth is the Annual Business Inquiry.


September 2007 12

3.3 There are a number of planning applicationswhich have been submitted in the last twelvemonths or are likely to be submitted in the nearfuture for major housing development inDaventry, Northampton, Brackley and Towcester.Some of these planning applications will bedetermined by West NorthamptonshireDevelopment Corporation (WNDC) and somewill be determined by the respective LocalPlanning Authority.

Infrastructure and Phasing

3.4 If growth in West Northamptonshire is to takeplace in a sustainable manner, we will need todevelop effective planning policies to ensure wecan deliver the necessary social, physical andeconomic infrastructure, which is delivered ontime through effective funding and deliverymechanisms. These funding and deliverymechanisms will need to have the support andconfidence of developers and the agenciesresponsible for their delivery.

3.5 This infrastructure will be a combination ofstrategic and local infrastructure. Strategicinfrastructure could include transport facilities(including roads and public transport), utilitiesand hospitals. Local infrastructure could includethe provision of schools, social care and healthfacilities. It could also include the provision ofmulti-use community buildings, open space andsports provision, libraries, waste managementfacilities and services within the voluntary sector.

3.6 When granting planning permission for bothresidential and commercial development localauthorities and WNDC will require appropriatecontributions through Section 106 (legal)agreements. These will be used to support asubstantial infrastructure investment programme.

3.7 It is important to ensure that there is a continuoussupply of available and deliverable housing landover this period. A phased approach towards therelease of development land can clearly helpcontrol the supply and delivery of land forhousing. However, the demand for housingacross West Northamptonshire at the moment is

so strong that anything which sought to restrictthe delivery of new housing could exacerbateexisting problems of affordability. Conversely,any approach to increase the rate of deliverywould have little chance of success given thelarge amounts of land being proposed fordevelopment across Northamptonshire and inother growth areas such as Milton Keynes andBanbury. The housing market and constructionindustry will find the delivery of the proposedlevels of housing a challenge.

West Northamptonshire Issues

WN 1 Given the general strategy for housinggrowth in the RSS where are the mostsustainable locations to accommodate thisgrowth? Should we prioritise certainlocations for development?

WN 2 How do we make West Northamptonshirean economic success without prejudicing itscharacter?

WN 3 How do we develop the WestNorthamptonshire economy? Should wespecialise or not?

WN 4 How do we ensure that all necessaryinfrastructure is delivered and, at the righttime?

WN 5 How do we ensure that the growth in WestNorthamptonshire minimises the impact onclimate change in general and flooding inparticular?

WN 6 How do we ensure that the growth in WestNorthamptonshire does not add tocongestion and enables a modal shift awayfrom use of the car?

WN 7 How do we provide more affordable homesin West Northamptonshire to meet localneeds?

West Northamptonshire Possible Options

WNO1 Concentrate all development in the townsor direct some growth to the villages tosustain the rural way of life.

WNO2 Encourage developments that are of thehighest design standards and eco friendly.

WNO3 Consider alternative ways of prioritisinginfrastructure e.g. available funding, localneeds or to fit with others’ strategies.

WNO4 Develop an environmentally led strategyand policies.

WNO5 Adopt a strategy and policies whichpromote non-car modes in the towns andrural areas.

WNO6 Look at ways to encourage developers tobuild a greater proportion of affordablehousing in their developments.

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September 2007 14

4 NorthamptonImplementation Area

Context

4.1 Northampton is identified in the Milton Keynesand South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy asone of the East Midlands region’s five PrincipalUrban Areas (PUAs). These PUAs have beenidentified as areas that can develop intosustainable urban communities where peoplewill wish to live and invest. Nottingham, Derby,Leicester and Lincoln are the other four placesidentified as Principal Urban Areas in the DraftRegional Plan.

4.2 The Sub-Regional Strategy (SRS) requires that themajority of development in WestNorthamptonshire should be concentrated in theNorthampton Implementation Area.

4.3 The SRS does not define the NorthamptonImplementation Area but it does state that itcovers Northampton Borough andneighbouring parts of Daventry and SouthNorthamptonshire districts. This means thatthose parts of the Borough of Wellingboroughthat neighbour Northampton are not currentlyincluded in the consideration of theNorthampton Implementation Area. It is for theJoint Core Strategy to define the NorthamptonImplementation Area.

4.4 Northampton’s current physical form clearlyreflects its significant size as an urban area witha current population of around 200,000.Northampton has at its heart the town centre orCentral Area. It has two existing significantdistrict centres to the north and the east atKingsthorpe and Weston Favell, respectively.There is also Mereway to the southwest thatprovides a limited district centre role.Throughout the town there are a range of localcentres that serve established neighbourhoodsor communities. These neighbourhoods varygreatly in character reflecting the differentphases and nature of Northampton’s growth inthe past. The quality of life in these

neighbourhoods also varies greatly with 16neighbourhoods being identified as in the mostdeprived 20% in the country. There are anumber of social and economic issues facingthese neighbourhoods. Some of the town’sneighbourhoods are likely to experience largeand quick change over the next 20 – 25 yearsas large-scale development takes place near orwithin them, whilst a lot of other neighbourhoodsare likely to change more slowly and gradually.

Definition of the NorthamptonImplementation Area

4.5 In defining the Northampton ImplementationArea there are two broad options:

i. Define the NIA as a wider policy areaincluding the urban area and surroundingcountryside and villages?

ii. Define the NIA as a tighter area just includingthe urban area and any land required to meetfuture growth requirements in specificdirections?

4.6 The SRS sets out a number of spatial objectivesfor the Northampton Implementation Area.

4.7 Within this context the SRS requires that newdevelopment will be delivered through acombination of urban regeneration,intensification and the development of newsustainable urban extensions. This should beintegrated with the development of enhancedpublic transport and new public interchanges.

Housing Growth in the NorthamptonImplementation Area

4.8 The Draft Regional Plan requires that a total of40,375 dwellings are built within theNorthampton Implementation Area between2001 and 2026. 11,106 of this requirementhave already been built or have planningpermission but are yet to be completed. Thismeans that at 1 April 2006 there are 29,269dwellings left to be built.

4.9 In 2003 Northampton Borough Councilpublished the Urban Housing Capacity Studythat estimated the number of additionaldwellings that could be accommodated withinthe existing urban area between the years 2002and 2022. At 1 April 2006 it is estimated that amaximum of 11,717 dwellings and a minimumof 4,920 dwellings could still be accommodatedwithin the existing urban area.

4.10 There is a need to assess the sites identified in the2003 Urban Housing Capacity Study in the lightof recent Government guidance and to extendthe Study to 2026 to reflect the Draft RegionalPlan. In addition, the identification of housingsites needs to be balanced with the need to buildand create sustainable communities, includingproviding a range of sites for jobs.

Affordable Housing in Northampton

4.11 The latest Northampton Housing Needs Studyidentifies a growing need for affordable housingin Northampton. The West NorthamptonshireHousing Market Assessment recommends thatthe current target of providing 35% of all newhousing as affordable housing should bemaintained with 25% social renting on majorsites. This should be provided through sharedownership and equity housing the balance.

Jobs Growth in NorthamptonImplementation Area

4.12 Background work that was completed for theSub-Regional Strategy gave a jobs growth figureof 27,600 for the Northampton ImplementationArea. Between 2001 and 2005 some 6,000additional jobs have been created inNorthampton.

4.13 Overall, Northampton is a net in-commuter ofworkers reflecting its role as the County town forNorthamptonshire and a sub-regional centre.The origin of these commuters is broadly spreadacross other parts of Northamptonshire as wellas substantial flows from the East of England andthe South, along the M1, and from the WestMidlands.

4.14 The Northampton Employment Land Studyrecently concluded that in general terms therewould appear to be currently enough landallocated for the immediate demands ofstrategic distribution and offices. In the short termhowever there is a genuine shortage of landavailable for small and medium sizedcompanies normally locally based, who areseeking to expand to modern premises. Inaddition the Study concluded that sites for officesclose to the town centre are retained for thoseuses and that other sites that could form asuitable extension to the town centre are broughtforward for development.

4.15 The Study identifies five areas for considerationfor land allocations:

• Extension to Brackmills• Extension to Pineham• Extension to Milton Ham• Upton• Town Centre

Northampton Central Area

4.16 The Sub-Regional Strategy sets out a number ofobjectives for revitalising Northampton’s CentralArea:

• Develop the area around and including therailway station as a transport hub, gateway tothe town centre and focus for development;

• Improve the range and quality of retailprovision;

• Make the central area the focus of a range ofemployment opportunities, particularly offices;

• Link central area to the railway station andwaterside areas;

• Develop cultural and heritage tourism;• Increase the range of centrally located

overnight accommodation.

4.17 These objectives and general locations will bedeveloped through a detailed Action Plan for theCentral Area.

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September 2007 16

4.18 In 2006 the Northampton Central Area Design,Development and Movement Framework(known as the BDP report) was published. Thepurpose of the study was to establish the visionfor the town centre and to identify the keyprojects that will be required to realise this vision.The study developed the following vision for thetown centre:

“Northampton is the prototype for the 21st centuryCounty town, its Market Square the centre of life fora fast growing creative and enterprising communityin a dynamic city region. As the town becomes acompact city, offering the range and quality ofservices required by an aspirational, creative andcritical population, it develops an identity drawnfrom the wealth of historic buildings and theintimacy of its streets and squares but also reflectingexciting new creative and entrepreneurial ambitions.The future town centre will provide the conditions forgrowth and success.”

Northampton Directions of Growth

4.19 A fundamental requirement of the regional andsub-regional policies that guide the planning ofNorthampton is the need to identify options forNorthampton’s growth over the longer period,i.e. the next 20 to 25 years. In August 2006Daventry District, Northampton Borough andSouth Northamptonshire Councils commissionedthe consultants EDAW, WS Atkins and GVAGrimley to undertake a study to identify thelonger-term growth options for Northampton.The purpose of this study was to undertake astrategic analysis of potential sustainable growthoptions to inform the preparation of the JointCore Strategy and site-specific allocationsdocuments for the Northampton ImplementationArea. The study was completed in March 2007.

4.20 The study took a comprehensive approach todetermining the most suitable directions forgrowth from the outset. This meant gaining anunderstanding of the impact of significant newdevelopment on the settlement structure andfunction of Northampton in the region, ratherthan taking an isolated view of potential new

areas for investment. Eight stages of work werecompleted that resulted in three options. Anadditional further supplementary option wasconsidered given the outcomes of the landsuitability analysis – where all sectors of high andmedium with development potential wereexplored. It was deemed a ‘supplementaryoption’ because it was considered not assustainable as the other three options.

4.21 All the growth options assume that urbancapacity will be maximised prior to recourse todevelop greenfield sites. The other features ofthe different growth options have arisen fromanalysis of a combination of the more successfulelements of the thematic scenarios, feedbackfrom key stakeholder consultation, applicationsof the finding for the sectoral analysis, andanalysis of information in respect of deliverability.

4.22 The options are intended to initiate early debateabout specific directions for growth prior to thembeing fully tested. It is likely that consultation willidentify further detailed local information onpossible constraints, positive implications andfurther opportunities to modify the solutions. It isalso possible that the preferred growth solutionmay be a combination of different elementsoffered within the growth options.

4.23 Each option is summarised below. The optionsare shown in Appendix 3. For further detailsabout the options and how they were identifiedplease refer to the Longer Term Growth Optionsfor Northampton Study report which is availableto download/ read from the Joint Planning Unitand the three Councils’ websites.

NORTHAMPTON DIRECTIONS OFGROWTH - OPTIONS

South-Eastern Extension – Growth south ofNorthampton around Collingtree, Collingtree Park,Wootton, Grange Park with Northampton west andeast of A45. Intensification of Brackmills, towncentre intensification; new centre adjacent toGrange Park; provision of University Arc; newparkway station to south of Northampton.

South-Eastern/Western Extension – Growth south ofNorthampton around Grange Park and Wootton,east of A45. Intensification of Brackmills, towncentre intensification; new centre adjacent toWootton; mixed use development to the west ofNorthampton extending the South West District;provision of University Arc; new Parkway station tothe south of Northampton.

North Eastern Extension – Growth northeast quarterof Northampton between A5199 Welford Road andthe A45 Nene Valley Way; town centreintensification; provision of an intensified UniversityArc; new parkway station to the south ofNorthampton.

Supplementary Option – Southern/South of M1 –Growth south of Northampton around Collingtree,and Collingtree Park with Northampton west ofA45. Intensification of Brackmills, town centreintensification; new centre around new station andinterchange (not a parkway) on Northampton loop;provision of University Arc.

Northampton Implementation Area Issues

N1 Taking into account your views on Issues V1and V2, how and where do you thinkNorthampton should grow, and why?

N2 To what extent do you think the provision ofa new parkway station to the south ofNorthampton is a realistic proposal, and towhat extent should this influence the choiceof directions of growth?

N3 Should those parts of the Borough ofWellingborough that neighbourNorthampton be included in theconsideration of the definition of theNorthampton Implementation Area?

N4 Should development take place at a highdensity to reduce the amount of landneeded to accommodate the growth?

N5 Do you think that employment is the key toNorthampton’s future success and shouldthere be more high quality employmentparticularly knowledge based?

N6 How can we increase and improveNorthampton’s cultural image and identity?

N7 How can we improve the overallperformance of the town centre?

N8 What measures should we take to deal withcapacity problems on the M1 and A45 andtheir junctions and with town congestion?

N9 How can we improve and increase publictransport patronage?

N10 How do we regenerate existing run downparts of the town?

N11 How do we deal with the potential conflictof growth and flooding?

N12 How do we deal with the current shortageof employment land bearing in mind theneed to accommodate significant housinggrowth?

Northampton Implementation Area - OtherPossible Options

NO1 Develop Northampton as a specialistknowledge base in employment terms.

NO2 Adopt a more restrictive approach to the re-use of employment land to prevent it beinglost to housing.

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NO3 Enhance public spaces and buildings in thetown including through using public art,design and materials and features in publicspaces and building iconic buildings.

NO4 Carry out selective redevelopment andrefurbishment.

NO5 Look at better ways of accessing the towncentre.

NO6 Locate development so as to have minimalimpact on major roads and junctions.

NO7 Look at adopting alternative means of, andgreater investment in, public transport.

NO8 Provide greater co-ordination andpartnership working to improve run downand deprived areas.

NO9 Increase the number of high risedevelopments in the town centre.

5 Daventry

Context

5.1 Daventry is a small market town (populationapproximately 23,000 in 2001) well related tothe strategic road network (A45, M1, M45). Thetown centre is currently underperforming due inpart to a lack of investment and partly due tocompetition from nearby larger towns.

5.2 The core of Daventry is extremely compactbased around the market square. The townexperienced significant expansion in the 1960sand 1970s as a result of its designation as anoverspill town for Birmingham and London. Thetown is now set to experience a second phase ofmajor expansion.

5.3 Daventry District Council has identifiedrevitalization of the town centre as a priority andthis has been endorsed in the Regional SpatialStrategy. Significant work has already beenundertaken following the town centre vision, andinvestment in infrastructure has already startedwith works to South Way/ Eastern Way.

5.4 With the exception of a DIY store to the north ofthe town, retail provision (except local provision)is contained within the central area. Workundertaken as part of the town centre visionindicates that the additional retail floorspacerequired to meet the needs of the growingpopulation and to capture leakage can beachieved within the town centre. Thisdifferentiates Daventry from many other townswhich have seen significant retail floorspacedelivered in non-central locations. The prospectof a new canal arm from the Grand Union to thenorth connecting to the central area, firstproposed in 1793, will also enable Daventry todevelop a leisure and cultural quarter to its towncentre to broaden its attraction.

5.5 The Council is also concerned to ensure that thegrowth of Daventry addresses current concernsabout skills levels in the town and appropriateregeneration in a number of areas.

5.6 The compact form of the historic core ofDaventry and the planned nature of more recentgrowth is such that opportunities for urban infill,outside of the central area are limited. Thegrowth of Daventry will therefore have to largelytake place on greenfield urban extensions. Indeciding where to locate this growthconsideration will need to be given to how thenew development will contribute to achieving thevision for the town.

Daventry Issues

D1 Do we want to put knowledge basedemployment at the heart of the growth ofthe town which would improve the skillsoffer?

D2 How do we deal with the underperformance of the town centre?

D3 How do we provide the additionalinfrastructure (including communityinfrastructure) to meet the growth of thetown?

D4 How can we help to improve educationalstandards?

D5 How should the Country Park be enhancedto provide for the needs of the growingpopulation?

D6 What should be done to regenerate theSouthbrook, Grange and Headlandsestates?

Daventry – Possible Options

DO1 Provide more diverse employment base andprovide complementary skills training andeducation.

DO2 Base future employment and investment ongreen technology development.

DO3 To facilitate mixed-use development in thetown centre and improve connectivity.

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DO4 To seek to influence funding streams andgreater co-ordination and partnershipworking with relevant partners.

DO5 To provide further education opportunitiesat Danetre and William Parker schools.

DO6 To develop a greenspace strategy and thedesignation as a conservation area.

DO7 Selective redevelopment and greaterpartnership working.

Daventry Town Directions of Growth

5.7 The options (DO8 to DO12) for the growth ofDaventry town are shown diagrammatically onthe Plans in Appendix 3. They have beeninfluenced by the context for future developmentas set out in the RSS and the local evidencebase. The options shown are all known to havelandowner and developer interest. In order toaccommodate all of the development that is toprovided for at Daventry more than one of theselocations will be required.

Daventry Town Directions of Growth -Possible Options

DO8 Growth be located to the East of BoroughHill north of the A45.

DO9 Growth be located along Long BuckbyRoad.

DO10 Growth be located at Monksmoor Farm,east of Welton Lane.

DO11 Growth be located to the North of Daventry,east of the A361.

DO12 Growth be located to the north of Daventryand east of the A45.

6 South Northamptonshire

Context

6.1 The Draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)requires that 330 dwellings be built within SouthNorthamptonshire District every year between2001 and 2026. This represents a continuationof the existing and historic rate of completionsover the past five years (an average of 306dwellings have been completed per year since2001). Since 2001, a significant amount of thishousing requirement has already been built orhas planning permission but is yet to becompleted. An allowance has also been madefor unidentified or “windfall” developments tocontinue throughout the plan period. It isestimated that the number of dwellings that theLDF will need to make provision for ongreenfield sites up to 2026 within SouthNorthamptonshire is 4,050 dwellings.

6.2 The RSS considers that as rural service centres akey role for Towcester and Brackley is one ofproviding local services and facilities for theirrural hinterland.

6.3 Any growth for Brackley and Towcester will beaccommodated within the existing built up areasor primarily in the form of one or moresustainable extensions at each town. Anysignificant growth will need to make provision forthe expansion of new employment opportunitiesand the provision of necessary improved socialand physical infrastructure.

6.4 In addition to considering the distribution,direction and scale of development that wouldbe appropriate across the District there are otherkey strategic issues to consider including thephasing of any future growth, the future of ourtown centres and the need to ensure the vitalityand viability of the rural areas.

6.5 Given the context set out in the RSS, anassumption has been made that Towcester willaccommodate a significant proportion of theremaining 4,050 dwelling requirement up to2026. Consideration is needed as to how much

and where the remaining new developmentshould take place within the District.

6.6 As with Towcester, the RSS designates Brackley asa rural service centre. Therefore to plan for somegrowth within the town would be consistent withthis policy. The RSS is not indicative as to the scaleof this development and therefore there is anissue on how much growth should be provided.

6.7 Consideration also needs to be given to the roleof the villages in accommodating some of thenew development required for SouthNorthamptonshire. The RSS considers thatdevelopment should be limited in the villageswith the emphasis on meeting local needs andretaining basic services and facilities. However,there needs to be a balanced approach betweenthe distribution of new development within theconstraints of the overall housing requirement.

South Northamptonshire Issue

SN1 How should we distribute the future growthbetween Brackley and Towcester and therural areas?

South Northamptonshire – Possible Options

SNO1 To allow growth solely at Towcester (e.g:4,000homes by 2026) in order to develop its role asa sustainable rural centre and to enable thedelivery of essential infrastructure.

SNO2 To concentrate growth at Towcester (e.g:3,000 homes) and direct the remaininggrowth to Brackley (e.g: 1,000 homes) toenable both towns to develop their roles assustainable rural service centres and toenable the delivery of essentialinfrastructure. Development would berestricted in the villages.

SNO3 To concentrate growth at Towcester (e.g:3,000 homes) and direct the remaininggrowth to Brackley (e.g: 500 homes) todevelop their roles as sustainable ruralservice centres and to key sustainablevillages (e.g: 500 homes).

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7 Towcester

7.1 The principle of significant growth at Towcester isestablished in the RSS through its designation as aRural Service Centre and a planning applicationfor a large mixed use urban extension is expectedto be submitted to West NorthamptonshireDevelopment Corporation this summer. Inaddition to considering the scale of developmentthat would be appropriate, the main issues centreon the type, location and phasing of growth andthe future role and function of the town as a wholeand the town centre.

7.2 The RSS considers that a key consideration is theneed to regenerate its historic town centre. Itstates that the sustainable growth of the town willhelp strengthen retail and other essential servicesand that a co-ordinated approach is required tomanage the development of the town and itscentre and to integrate with future changes to theroad network. The Strategy also makes specificreference to the A5 bypass indicating that oncecompleted it will enable traffic managementmeasures and other environmentalenhancements in the town centre and existingA5 corridor and that the bypass is also necessaryto provide for the long-term growth of the town.It identifies the LDF as the most appropriate wayof exploring options for the bypass andassociated development.

Towcester Issues

T1 What measures should be taken to ensurethat the town centre remains economicallyviable following the construction of the A5bypass. How will the bypass changeTowcester’s role as a Rural Service Centre?

T2 How can we most appropriately regeneratethe town centre?

T3 How do we deal with the high levels of outcommuting for work?

T4 How can we deal with the identifiedshortage of playing fields and sportspitches?

T5 How can we ensure that the infrastructurerequired to meet Towcester’s needs isdelivered and on time?

Towcester Directions of Growth - PossibleOptions

7.3 The options (TO1 and TO2) for the growth ofTowcester are shown diagrammatically on thePlans in Appendix 3. They have been influencedby the context for future development as set outin the RSS as well as known existing physicalinfrastructure constraints, most notably the A43trunk road that provides a strong boundary tothe town as well as the nationally protectedEaston Neston Historic Park and Garden to theeast of the town centre. The options shown areall known to have landowner and developerinterest.

TO1 Growth be located south and west ofTowcester.

TO2 Growth be located south and west ofTowcester (extended area).

TO3 Growth be directed to other areas aroundTowcester.

TO4 In addition to Moat Lane further underusedor vacant land is allocated for re-development for uses that support thevitality and viability of the town centre.

TO5 Additional employment land be allocated toreduce out commuting.

TO6 Land within or outside an urban extensionbe identified for playing fields.

8 Brackley

Context

8.1 As with Towcester, the RSS designates Brackley asa Rural Service Centre. Therefore, to plan forsome growth here would be consistent with thispolicy. However, the RSS does not make aspecific reference to the needs of Brackley andtherefore there is an issue on how much growthshould be provided there.

8.2 In addition to considering the scale ofdevelopment that would be appropriate atBrackley, there are a number of similar keystrategic issues centering on the type, locationand phasing of any growth and on the role andfunction of the town and town centre.

8.3 Brackley has experienced significant growth inthe last twenty years but this has not beenmatched by the provision of infrastructure.Brackley has become a base for motor racingrelated developments with BAR Honda movingto the town.

8.4 The town centre is considered to beunderperforming although the proposed mixed-use development at College Place may help toimprove the vitality of the town.

Brackley Issues

B1 What should be done to regenerate thetown centre?

B2 How can we reduce the high levels of outcommuting for work?

B3 How can we ensure that the need forimproved health provision, through therelocation of Brackley Cottage Hospital, isdelivered?

B4 How can we improve the provision ofeducation and community infrastructure?

B5 How can we deal with the problems of towncentre parking?

Brackley Directions of Growth – PossibleOptions

8.5 The options (BO1 – BO3) for the growth ofBrackley are shown diagrammatically on thePlans in Appendix 3. They have been influencedby the context for future development as set outin the RSS as well as known existing physicalinfrastructure constraints, most notably the A43trunk road that provides a strong boundary tothe east of the town and Evenley Park south ofthe town. The options shown are all known tohave landowner and developer interest.

BO1 Growth is located to the north of Brackley.

BO2 Growth is located to the west of Brackley.

BO3 Growth is located to the east of Brackley.

BO4 Additional employment land is allocated totry to reduce the level of out commuting.

BO5 Ensure that the scale of new developmentmaximizes education opportunities.

BO6 Consider alternative ways of securingimproved health facilities by providing a siteas part of any major new planneddevelopment.

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9 Silverstone Circuit

9.1 Silverstone motor racing circuit is knownworldwide as the home of the British Formula 1Grand Prix. This level of recognition singles it outas one of the few international facilities in the EastMidlands and has led to it being the lynchpin fora cluster of excellence in motor sport andautomotive development. SouthNorthamptonshire, although predominantlyrural, contains a wide range of high value andhigh skill enterprises comprising in partmotorsport businesses, which make an importantcontribution to the national and local economy. Itlies at the centre of a high tech motorsport cluster,which focuses on the Silverstone Circuit. Part ofthe Circuit lies within Aylesbury Vale DistrictCouncil’s area in Buckinghamshire. Any plans forthe Circuit will need to be produced jointly withAylesbury Vale District Council.

9.2 The businesses involved are noted for theirrelatively small land requirements, high addedvalue and propensity to network only with theirimmediate suppliers and customers. Many aresmall or medium sized businesses with highlymobile key workers. Much of this sector isvulnerable to overseas competition and isrelatively footloose. The value of specialistbusiness clusters is increasingly recognised asbeing of major economic significance: they offera critical mass and opportunity to secureadvantages due to proximity, synergy andinteraction.

Silverstone Circuit Issues

SC1 How much and what type of development isappropriate at the Circuit?

SC2 Should we work proactively with the ownersand other relevant partners to secure thelong-term retention of the Grand Prix?

SC3 Should future employment be restricted tomotor related uses only?

SC4 Should the proposals include education inthe form of a university campus?

SC5 Should the development opportunities atthe Circuit influence and enhance the roleof Silverstone village as a location formodest growth?

Silverstone Circuit – Possible Options

SCO1 To allow a wider range of investmentopportunities at the Circuit to enable its roleto develop.

SCO2 To allow for a more flexible approachtowards development to incorporate, forexample, leisure, tourism, retail.

SCO3 To allow new employment that has less of adirect link with motor racing but isnevertheless related to knowledge based,research and high technology industry.

SCO4 To create an educational facility at theCircuit centred on technology andengineering.

SCO5 The expansion of development of theCircuit could make it a more sustainableplace if this were to be accompanied bysome housing growth and other communityfacilities.

10 Daventry InternationalRail Freight Terminal(DIRFT)

Context

10.1 DIRFT provides strategic scale warehousing,distribution and industrial uses and anestablished rail port. The importance of DIRFT asa strategic location and transport node ofEuropean, national and regional importance isrecognised in the Regional Spatial Strategy.

10.2 Planning permission has been granted for a 54hectare extension. The majority of the unitspermitted by this consent will have direct railconnections. Whilst there is no RSS requirementto provide for a further expansion of DIRFT, theappropriateness of further expansion should beexplored through the Core Strategy preparation.

Issue

DT1 Do you consider that further expansion ofDIRFT should be provided for, and whetherit should be restricted to rail connecteddevelopment only?

Options

DT01 No further expansion beyond that alreadypermitted.

DT02 A monitor and manage approach,reviewing the need for further expansionthroughout the plan period.

DT03 Allow further expansion only where it isdirectly connected to the rail network.

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11 Weedon Depot

Context

11.1 Weedon Depot consists of a large group of listedbuildings which are located within Weedonvillage and have previously been grantedpermission for a range of uses, including retailand a fireworld museum. This permission hasnot been implemented and it is expected thatalternative proposals will be submitted in duecourse.

Weedon Depot Issues

WD1 Given its rural location and the size of thedepot what uses could the buildings be putto which would secure their retentionwithout having a negative impact on nearbytowns and villages?

Weedon Depot – Possible Options

WDO1 Use the depot for large scale retail,residential, offices, cultural, tourism (or acombination of each) that may not normallybe acceptable.

WDO2 Allow new development as part of theregeneration of the site.

12 The Rural Areas

12.1 There may be a need to plan for somedevelopment within the rural areas. If this is thecase then there are a number of key issues thatneed to be considered. For example, where thereis a particularly acute need for affordablehousing this could be provided as part of a largerhousing scheme or land allocated specificallyand solely for affordable housing in areas ofneed. Development may be able to offeradditional support in villages where there arespecific pressures on social or economic need.

12.2 The character and social make-up of villageshas changed considerably over the last twenty tothirty years. Many traditional jobs havedisappeared to be replaced by commuters andsecond homeowners.

12.3 Pressure on existing facilities has also increasedas village shops, post offices and pubs find itincreasingly difficult to survive.

12.4 House prices have risen dramatically in the lastten years which has meant that many villageproperties are now out of reach of local people.

Rural Area Issues

RA1 Should we allow further development in ourvillages, particularly employmentdevelopment, and if so which villages wouldbe most appropriate for development andwhy?

RA2 Should we define village confinesboundaries?

RA3 Should we be seeking to increase theprovision of housing that is affordable tomeet local needs?

RA4 How can we improve accessibility to servicesand facilities for those without a car withinand beyond West Northamptonshire?

RA5 How can we support and protect villagefacilities and local economic needs?

RA6 Should we continue to be supportive offarm diversification?

RA7 How do we ensure the provision of servicesand facilities to meet the needs of our ruralpopulation?

Rural Areas – Possible Options

RAO1 Disperse development to villages to meetidentified local needs regardless of their sizeand range of services and facilities.

RAO2 Allow for some modest new development inthe larger villages possessing a good rangeof services and facilities.

RAO3 Adopt a ‘cluster approach’ towards theprovision of new development where asmall group of well connected villageswould provide a range of key services andfacilities for its hinterland.

RAO4 Provide greater investment in rural publictransport to provide links to services,facilities and employment.

RAO5 Provide additional resources and investmentto assist and encourage villages inmaintaining services.

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Appendices

Appendix 1: Key Facts and Figures

West Northamptonshire• West Northamptonshire is located at the heart of

England with excellent access to the maincommunications networks of the M1, M40, M45,A14 (A1-M1 Link) A43 and A45.

• Initial information suggests that the capacity ofsewage treatment works and the existing electricalnetworks is limited in places.

• There are 51 Doctors surgeries in WestNorthamptonshire.

• There are 43 dentists in West Northamptonshireunder the Northamptonshire Primary Care Trust.

• There are 176 schools in West Northamptonshire.

• More health and education facilities will be needed.

• In West Northamptonshire there has been a totalfall of 2,260 social rented dwellings over the past10 years.

• The average house price in WestNorthamptonshire is £169,300.

• 80% of West Northamptonshire’s rural areas fallwithin the 20% least deprived areas in the country.

• There is a single pocket in the north of WestNorthamptonshire that falls within the 50% leastdeprived areas in the country.

• West Northamptonshire has the 3rd lowestrenewable energy generating capacity of the UKregions at 2%, the majority of which comes fromthe combustion of landfill gas.

• There are no large scale renewable energyschemes in West Northamptonshire.

• The principal areas of woodland comprise theancient woodland sites and SSSI woodlands

associated with Yardley Chase, Salcey Forest andWhittlewood Forest landscapes. Elsewhere acrossWest Northamptonshire, the majority of woodlandcomprises small woods and copses of a highlyfragmented nature.

• Parkland landscapes associated with countryestates, for example Althorp and Holdenby, are anotable feature in West Northamptonshire andthere is sufficient variety between them to create adiversity of designed landscapes.

• There is only one National Nature Reserve in WestNorthamptonshire at Buckingham Thick Copse inSouth Northamptonshire.

• Northampton Borough has a large number ofLocal Nature Reserves that contribute 139hectares to areas of open space.

• The East Midlands has the lowest proportion ofland designated to Sites of Special ScientificInterest in England. Within West Northamptonshirethere is one SSSI in Northampton Borough. SouthNorthamptonshire has 13 and Daventry District 8.

Northampton• In 2001 (Census of Population)

- 63% of the total population was of working age.- 80% of the total working population were

economically active.- 77% of those working were in full time

employment.

• The average weekly pay was £349.

• There were 5,475 VAT registered businesses.

• 70% of residents thought that for their local area,over the past three years, that job prospects havegot better or stayed the same.

• The University of Northampton is the onlyuniversity in West Northamptonshire.

• Northampton General Hospital is the only generalhospital in West Northamptonshire.

• Northampton is the administrative centre forNorthamptonshire with major publicadministration and business headquartersincluding Northamptonshire Police andNorthamptonshire Fire and Rescue.

• Northampton has major sport and recreationfacilities including professional rugby and footballteams, three cinemas, museums and theatres.

• Northampton is the main retail and businesscentre for Northamptonshire and beyond with over1,700 retail premises, over 1,600 offices, over1,000 factories and more than 800 warehouses.

• Northampton has a daily newspaper and twoweekly newspapers.

• 70% of Northampton’s population travel to workby private motor vehicle (car, taxi or motorbike),9% travel to work by public transport, 13% travelto work on foot or cycle.

• 13% of Northampton’s population travel over 20km to work.

• 29% of Northampton’s residents think that for theirlocal area, over the past three years, that the level oftraffic congestion has got better or stayed the same.

• 49% of Northampton’s residents think that for theirlocal area, over the past three years, that publictransport has got better or stayed the same.

• Northampton is 47 minutes by train from LondonEuston and less than an hour from BirminghamNew Street.

• Average house price in Northampton is£157,100.

• There are pockets of deprivation with a number ofareas in the town being in the 10% most deprivedin the country.

Daventry District• In 2001 (Census of Population)



employment.




• Daventry town has a Country Park.

• Daventry has a range of shops and businesspremises including almost 400 retail premises,over 300 offices, almost 500 factories and almost400 warehouses.

• 74% of Daventry district’s resident populationtravel to work by private motor vehicle (car, taxi ormotorbike), 3% travel to work by public transport,11% travel to work on foot or cycle.

• 19% of Daventry district’s resident populationtravel over 20 km to work.

• 46% of residents think that for their local area, overthe past three years, that the level of trafficcongestion has got better or stayed the same.

• 68% of residents think that for their local area, overthe past three years, that public transport has gotbetter or stayed the same.

• Average house price in Daventry district is£212,410.

• The town of Daventry falls within the 60% leastdeprived areas of the country.

• 41% of residents think that the level of crime hasgot better or stayed the same.

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• Daventry and South Northamptonshire are ranked1 and 2 in the region for highest carbon emissionsper capita in the region.

South Northamptonshire District• In 2001 (Census of Population)



employment.




• South Northamptonshire is home to the BritishFormula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit andTowcester Racecourse.

• South Northamptonshire has a range of shopsand business premises including over 300 retailpremises, over 300 offices, almost 500 factoriesand almost 300 warehouses.

• 76% of South Northamptonshire district’s residentpopulation travel to work by private motor vehicle(car, taxi or motorbike), 4% travel to work by publictransport, 9% travel to work on foot or cycle.

• 21% of the resident population travel over 20 kmto work.

• 38% of residents think that for their local area, overthe past three years, that the level of trafficcongestion has got better or stayed the same.

• 57% of residents think that for their local area, overthe past three years, that public transport has gotbetter or stayed the same.

• Brackley and Towcester are the least deprivedareas in West Northamptonshire, falling within the20% least deprived areas of the country.

• The average house price in SouthNorthamptonshire is £236,490.

• 53% of residents think that the level of crime hasgot better or stayed the same.

Further information on West Northamptonshire can befound at the Northamptonshire Observatory websitewww.northamptonshireobservatory.org.uk

Appendix 2: Evidence Base

County Wide• Northamptonshire Local Transport Plan 2006• Northamptonshire Landscape Character

Assessment• Northamptonshire Green Infrastructure• Northamptonshire Joint Waste Management

Strategy 2001• Northamptonshire Commercial Property and

Employment Land Assessment• Northamptonshire Biodiversity Action Plan• Northamptonshire Gypsy and Travellers’

Accommodation and Needs Assessment

West Northamptonshire• Northampton Longer Term Growth Options Study• West Northamptonshire Housing Market Assessment• Northampton Multi Model Study Update• West Northamptonshire Strategic Flood Risk

Assessment• West Northamptonshire Water Cycle Study• South Northamptonshire and Daventry Crime and

Disorder Strategy

Daventry District Council• Issues Paper 2002• Daventry District Transport Strategy 2001• Model Development Areas 2004• Retail Study 2003• Housing Needs Survey 2006• Town Centre Vision 2004• Daventry District Council Annual Monitoring

Report 2005• Daventry LDF Core Strategy Issues and Options

2005• Daventry Community Strategy 2006• Daventry Urban Capacity Study 2004• Sport and Recreation Audit and Assessment• Daventry Housing Strategy 2003• Daventry Economic Development Strategy 2003• Daventry Rural Revival Strategy 2003• Sports Development Strategy 2005

Northampton Borough Council• Northampton Urban Capacity Study 2002 • Northampton Shopping Study Update• Northampton Strategic Flood Risk Assessment• Playing Pitch Strategy• Northampton Community Strategy• South West District Review• Allotments Strategy• Open Space, Sport and Recreation Assessment

and Needs Audit• Northampton Employment Land Study• Central Area Design, Development and

Movement Framework• Northampton Housing Strategy• Northampton Housing Needs Survey

South Northamptonshire Council• Infrastructure Assessment for Towcester and Brackley• Issues Papers (2001)• Issues Report (2004)• South Northamptonshire LDF Core Strategy Issues

and Options (2005)• South Northamptonshire LDF Annual Monitoring

Report 2005• Parish Action Plans• Public Open Space Strategy• Retail Studies for Brackley and Towcester• South Northamptonshire Communications Strategy• South Northamptonshire Community Safety Strategy• South Northamptonshire Community Strategy• South Northamptonshire Consultation Strategy• South Northamptonshire Cultural Strategy• South Northamptonshire Economic Development

Strategy• South Northamptonshire Environment Strategy• South Northamptonshire Household Survey• South Northamptonshire Housing Needs Study• South Northamptonshire Housing Strategy• South Northamptonshire Performance Plan• South Northamptonshire Social Inclusion Strategy• Urban Capacity Studies for Brackley and Towcester

(2005)• Towcester Multi-Modal Study• Nathanial Litchfield Towcester reports

31 September 2007



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TowcesterTowcester – Options for Future Growth

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BrackleyBrackley – Options for Future Growth


September 2007 38

DaventryDaventry – Options for Future GrowthThis map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown Copyright ©Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution of civil proceedings Daventry District Council Licencee number 100023735 2007

39 September 2007


Appendix 4: Glossary

Title Definition

Core Strategy (CS) Sets out the long-term spatial vision for the local planning authority areaand the strategic policies and proposals to deliver that vision.

Development Plan (DP) Consists of Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and development plandocuments contained within the Local Development Framework.

Development Plan Document Spatial planning documents that are subject to independent examination.(DPD) There will be a right for those making representations seeking change to be

heard at an independent examination.

Local Development Document A document that forms part of the Local Development Framework. Can(LDD) either be a Development Plan Document or a Supplementary Planning

Document.

Local Development Framework Comprises a portfolio of local development documents which will provide (LDF) the framework for delivering the spatial planning strategy for the area.

Planning Policy Statement (PPS) Government statements of national planning policy guidance. RSS andLDFs must be consistent with PPSs. Formally known as Planning PolicyGuidance (PPG).

Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) Prepared by the regional planning body. It will set out the policies in relationto the development and use of land in the region and will be approved bythe First Secretary of State. (Formally known as Regional Planning GuidanceRPG)

Sustainable Community Strategy Strategy prepared by Local Strategic Partnerships with the purpose ofimproving the social, economic, environmental well-being of their areas.

Northampton Longer Term Commissioned by Daventry District, Northampton Borough and South Growth Study (EDAW, WS Northamptonshire Councils the study identifies the longer-term growth Atkins and GVA Grimley) options for Northampton. The purpose of this study was to undertake a

strategic analysis of potential sustainable growth options to inform the preparation of the Joint Core Strategy and site-specific allocations documents for the Northampton Implementation Area.

Available for viewing and download from any of the Councils’ websites orfor purchase from the Councils.

* For a more comprehensive glossary of planning terms please go to: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1018892037172.html

West Northamptonshire Joint Planning UnitCliftonville HouseBedford RoadNorthamptonNN4 7NR

T: 01604 837838F: 01604 838543

www.westnorthamptonshirejpu.org

If you would like a copy of this document inLarge Print, Braille, Audiotape or translation

into another language, please contact theJoint Planning Unit, telephone 01604 837838.