New Local Plan for West Northamptonshire

West Northamptonshire Council approved a new Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan on 14 September 2021. This SCI sets out how the council will engage stakeholders and the public in the production of the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan.

The latest LDS for West Northamptonshire was approved by the Planning Policy Committee on 25 April 2023 and came into effect on 5 May 2023. The LDS sets out the timetable for the preparation of the West Northamptonshire Local Plan.

The preparation and review of Local Plans should be underpinned by up-to-date and relevant evidence to ensure that the policies and proposals are justified. A series of evidence base reports and studies are being prepared to support the preparation of the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan. These will be published here when they are completed.

Climate Change, Renewable and Low Carbon Energy

West Northamptonshire Council contracted consultants LUC, in association with Aether, CAG Consultants, and the Centre for Sustainable Energy to provide Climate Change and Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Evidence for the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan (WNSP).

The purpose of the research was to understand how West Northamptonshire can adapt to future effects from climate change, mitigate these effects and minimise carbon emissions through the use of renewable and low carbon energy. To achieve this aim, the study addressed three principal areas, each of which is the subject of a separate report as follows:

Green Infrastructure and Natural Capital

The Green Infrastructure and Natural Capital Study has been commissioned by West Northamptonshire Council to provide evidence to support the preparation of the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan. The study will be used to inform the policy approach to green infrastructure and natural capital in terms of high-level principles for conservation, enhancement and mitigation. It will also identify any specific green infrastructure and natural capital assets that require a particular policy approach.

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTANA)

West Northamptonshire Council commissioned RRR Consultants to provide an updated assessment of the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers for the period 2022-2037. The results will be used as an evidence base for policy development in housing and planning and to inform the allocation of resources.

Housing and Economic Needs Assessment

To support the preparation of the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan our predecessor Councils commissioned consultants GL Hearn to prepare a Housing and Economic Needs Assessment (HENA) for West Northamptonshire. The HENA assesses future development needs for housing (both market and affordable) and employment across West Northamptonshire over the period 2020-50.

It should be noted that this is a technical evidence base document which will be used to inform the policies which will be set out in the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan. It is not a policy document in itself.

If you require further information on the HENA please email: [email protected].

Landscape Character Assessment

The Environment Partnership (TEP) was commissioned to undertake a full landscape character assessment for the rural areas of South Northamptonshire to the level of individual landscape character areas. The assessment provides a robust evidence base in relation to the key characteristics of the landscape and will inform the policies in the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan. Together with studies previously undertaken for the Daventry and Northampton areas it ensures that there is a consistent assessment of landscape character across the whole of West Northamptonshire. The assessment comprises an introductory report, appendices and individual documents relating to each landscape character area:

Retail and Town Centre Uses

West Northamptonshire Council commissioned Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) to prepare a Retail and Town Centre Uses Study. This study provides the robust evidence needed to inform the preparation of the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan and the development of planning policies for retail, leisure and town centre uses.

The main report is available to download below. Copies of the technical appendices (in non-accessible format) are available on request by emailing [email protected].

South East Midlands Warehousing and Logistics

The South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) commissioned Iceni Projects to complete a sector review of warehousing and logistics for the South East Midlands area. The review was undertaken in partnership with the area's local planning authorities including West Northamptonshire Council.

The objectives of the review, amongst others, were to:

• establish the baseline warehouse stock position
• understand the future supply of land
• forecast scenarios for future need, demand and growth in the logistics sector to 2030, 2040 and 2050
• understand the extent of any shortfall/surplus in land supply

West Northamptonshire Council will use the findings of the review, along with other evidence and planning considerations, to inform the development of the economic growth policies in the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan.

The full report and an executive summary are available on the SEMLEP website.

West Northamptonshire Strategic Land Availability Assessment

To support the preparation of the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan an assessment of potential residential and employment sites has been undertaken.

Please note that the inclusion of any site in this assessment does not indicate that it will be allocated or successfully obtain planning permission. This is a technical evidence base document that will be used to inform the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan. If you require more detailed electronic versions of individual maps please contact [email protected].