New Local Plan for West Northamptonshire
We are preparing a new local plan for the area to guide decisions in the period up to 2043.
The West Northamptonshire Local Plan will replace:
- the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Local Plan (Part 1)
- the Part 2 Local Plans which were adopted for the former Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire areas
Pre-Submission Regulation 19 Consultation
We received the following Government Direction on 15 September 2026:
In accordance with this, West Northamptonshire Council is now consulting on the Pre-Submission West Northamptonshire Local Plan and the supporting documents in line with Regulation 19 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
This consultation represents an important stage in the preparation of the Local Plan before it is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.
The consultation runs for 6 weeks from Monday 5 October 2026 until 11:59pm on Monday 16 November 2026.
This stage is different from previous consultations on the Local Plan (Issues, Options and draft Plans under Regulation 18).
At this stage, the Council is seeking representations on whether the Plan:
- has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements; and is
- sound, namely whether it is:
- positively prepared
- justified by appropriate evidence
- effective and deliverable; and
- consistent with national planning policy (NPPF 2024)
Representations should specifically address whether the Plan is legally compliant and sound. Your comments will be considered by the Council and the Planning Inspector after the Local Plan is submitted for examination.
Late representations will not be accepted so please reply well ahead of the final deadline of 11:59pm on Monday 16 November 2026.
The Local Plan and supporting documents and evidence base are available to view below.
The main Local Plan documents are also available at:
- One Angel Square, Northampton, NN1 1ED
- The Abbey Centre, St Johns Square, Daventry, NN11 4XG
- The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, NN12 6AD
- all West Northamptonshire Council and community libraries within West Northamptonshire
Interactive map
View the interactive web map to explore site allocations and designations.
When the map opens, all layers are switched on by default. To make the map easier to use, switch layers on or off to show only the allocations and designations you want to view.
Evidence base
The Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) assess the likely environmental, social and economic effects of the Local Plan. They help ensure that planning policies support sustainable development and consider reasonable alternatives.
Core documents:
- CD3 - West Northamptonshire Local Plan - Sustainability Appraisal Report (September 2026) and 8 accessible excel Appendices
- CD4 - West Northamptonshire Local Plan - Sustainability Appraisal High Level Assessment reports (September 2026)
- CD5 West Northamptonshire Local Plan – Habitats Regulations Assessment Appropriate Assessment (September 2026)
SU9 Level 2 Integrated Water Management Strategy (October 2026)
For more information about sustainable tourism, visitor experiences and tourism development opportunities, visit the Tomorrow's Tourism website.
Appendix A - Northampton sites individual HIAs
- A1 - Northampton Gateway, south of J15, M1, Northampton (March 2025)
- A2 - Northampton Railway Station - Railfreight, Northampton (March 2025)
- A3 - Northampton Railway Station - Car Park, Northampton (March 2025)
- A4 - Marefair and Castle House, Northampton (March 2025)
- A5 - Horizon House, Northampton (March 2025)
- A6 - Greyfriars, Northampton (March 2025)
- A7 - 35-45 Abington Street, Northampton (March 2025)
- A8 - St Edmund's Hospital, Northampton (March 2025)
- A9 - Cattlemarket Road and surrounding area, Northampton (March 2025)
- A10 - Northampton Gateway, south of J15, M1, Northampton (March 2025)
- A12 - Market Walk, Northampton (March 2025)
- A14 - Land East of Wootton Fields, Northampton (March 2025)
- A15 - Land West of A43 (September 2026)
- A16 - The Green, Great Houghton (March 2025)
- A22 - East of A43 (September 2026)
- A23 - Collingtree Golf Course (September 2026)
- A25 - North of Buckton Fields (September 2026)
- A27 - Northampton West (Remaining) (September 2026)
- A28 - Watering Lane, Collingtree (September 2026)
- A29 - Martin's Yard Extension (September 2026)
Appendix A - Daventry sites individual HIAs
- A11 - North and West of town Centre, Daventry (March 2025)
- A13 - Lodge Road, Daventry (March 2025)
- A17 - Micklewell Park Extension (September 2026)
- A18 - South East Gateway, Daventry (March 2025)
- A30 - North of Middlemore (September 2026)
Appendix A - Towcester sites individual HIAs
Appendix A - Long Buckby site individual HIA
Appendix A - M1 sites individual HIAs
- A26 - Land south of Junction 16 M1 (September 2026)
- A21 - DIRFT Phase IV (September 2026)
- Appendix E Supplementary HIA Boughton Bowl Barrow
- BE5 - South Northamptonshire Design Guide Chapter 1 - Introduction (2017)
- BE5 - South Northamptonshire Design Guide Chapter 2 - Planning policy review (2017)
- BE5 - South Northamptonshire Design Guide Chapter 3 - Character and context analysis (2017)
- BE5 - South Northamptonshire Design Guide Chapter 4 - Residential (2017)
- BE5 - South Northamptonshire Design Guide Chapter 5 - Open space, landscape and surfacing for highways, parking and public space (2017)
- BE5 - South Northamptonshire Design Guide Chapter 6 - Commercial development (2017)
- BE5 - South Northamptonshire Design Guide Chapter 7 - Agricultural and rural development (2017)
- T3 - Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan - Northampton (January 2026)
- T4 - Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan - Daventry (April 2025)
- T5 - Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan – Brackley (April 2025)
- T6 - Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan - Towcester (April 2025)
- T7 - Active Travel Strategy: The Opportunity (England's Economic Heartland) (May 2026)
- T8 - Peterborough to Northampton – Oxford Connectivity Study (England’s Economic Heartland) (December 2022)
- T9 - Oxford to Milton Keynes Connectivity Study (England’s Economic Heartland) (July 2023)
- T10 - Rail Strategic Objectives (England’s Economic Heartland) (May 2026)
For more information about neighbourhood development plans, including guidance and local plan documents, visit our neighbourhood plans page.
How to respond
Representations must be made in writing - preferably by email. You can also respond using our portal or by post.
In all cases, representations should clearly identify:
- the policy, site allocation or section of the Plan being commented on
- whether the representation relates to legal compliance or soundness
- the reasons for the representation
- any modifications you consider are needed to make the Plan sound
The Council has prepared 2 guidance notes:
Consultation period
Monday 5 October 2026 to 11:59pm on Monday 16 November 2026.
What happens next?
- All duly made representations will be submitted alongside the Local Plan and supporting evidence
- An independent Planning Inspector will examine the Plan
- Examination hearings will be held
- The Inspector will determine whether the Plan is legally compliant and sound
- Subject to any recommended modifications, the Council will consider adoption
Data protection
Any comments received will be publicly available and submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as part of the examination process.
Further information and to submit your representation
planningpolicyconsultation@westnorthants.gov.uk
Post
FAO Planning Policy Team
West Northamptonshire Council
One Angel Square
Northampton
NN1 1ED
Telephone: 0300 126 7000
Previous consultation documents
2026
See a list of Regulation 18 2026 consultation responses.
2024
See a list of Regulation 18 2024 consultation responses.
Last updated 08 October 2026