Response from West Northamptonshire Council on the Strategic Plan and the South Northamptonshire Local Plan

Many constituents have written to me about two issues- current concerns in Towcester and in particular, the proposals for big warehouse developments in our area.

Secondly, the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan – Spatial Options.

I have discussed these concerns a number of times with representatives from WNC, National Highways and Persimmon, and have also met with the ‘A5 Alliance’ of parish councils.

Anna Earnshaw, Chief Executive of WNC recognises our many concerns and in her letter to me (attached in this post,) confirms that approximately 1500 responses have been received as part of West Northants Council’s Strategic Plan consultation. She also confirms that:

• Cabinet members and Stuart Timmiss, Executive Director of Place are in discussions to look at options to change the 50 year timescale of the Strategic Plan to a more normal timescale of 15 years. A reduction in timescales would have the benefits of significantly reducing the amount of development land needed to be agreed and allocated now. In turn, by reducing the number of sites considered, it would enable a much more coordinated and focused phasing plan and evidence of delivery. I think that will go a long way to enabling local communities to influence the look and feel of their area.

• On the South Northants Local Plan, I am pleased that Anna Earnshaw has confirmed that the next stage of the plan’s process is to develop Supplementary Planning Guidance. Supplementary planning documents are a material consideration in the local authority’s decision making. It will therefore provide our local community as well as developers with more detail on how the council will view both appropriateness of employment land allocations and traffic that results from them. and can help developers and committee members ensure they get the right development in the right places.

I will continue to raise the strong concerns of constituents and encourage you to contact me if you have any questions.