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North Northamptonshire Strategic Plan Scope and Issues Consultation

Member News

Planning blueprint will help shape development over the next two decades

Residents in North Northamptonshire are being asked to have their say on what issues the blueprint for future development in the area for the next two decades should cover.

The consultation on the Scope and Issues for the North Northamptonshire Strategic Plan will invite people to give their views on topics including where new homes should be built, what transport links and other infrastructure is needed and how town centres should look in the future.

It will also cover how existing policies can be updated and improved to address climate change and the council’s climate and environment emergency declaration.

Proper planning means that we can deal with conflicting priorities, ensuring we can help cater for growth, while at the same time protecting our precious environment.

Of course, to do this properly we need to be appropriately informed and that’s why we need to go out to consultation so we can be confident that we can start to shape these plans in the best way possible.

Change is always inevitable. We just need to make sure that we’re in the best shape possible to deal with this change to help ensure that the North Northants area continues to be a great place in which to live and work.Cllr David Brackenbury, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive member for Growth and Regeneration

Not only is a statutory requirement to have a local plan in place it’s also essential if we want to preserve the unique character of North Northants while at the same time maximising opportunities to bring prosperity for all. It’s important as many people as possible have their say to make sure we’re in the best place possible to move forward with this.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

Planning law requires the council to prepare a local plan to guide development and growth in its area – everything from homes and jobs to schools and infrastructure.

The current Local Plan for North Northamptonshire includes the Joint Core Strategy and supporting area-based plans. The Joint Core Strategy adopted in July 2016 provides the strategic planning policies for the future development of the area over the period to 2031.

The council is reviewing the strategic planning policies through the preparation of the North Northamptonshire Strategic Plan to take account of changes since 2016 and to extend the period to which the plan relates to 2041 and beyond.

Consultation on the Scope and Issues is the first stage of preparing the Strategic Plan. At this stage the council is inviting comments on the key planning issues facing the area, and the proposed scope and contents of the new Strategic Plan.

The consultation runs from Monday 28 March 2022 until 5pm on Monday 23 May 2022

How to have your say

To view all the consultation documents and answer the consultation questionnaire please visit the council’s website.

Responses can also be made to:

planningpolicy@northnorthants.gov.uk
Strategic Planning Policy Team, North Northamptonshire Council, Cedar Drive, Thrapston, Northamptonshire, NN14 4lZ

Hard copies of the relevant documents are available for public inspection at the main council offices and libraries. Opening times may vary, please visit Library Plus Countywide Services website for details.