Documents for consultation

Plan showing options for growth in Brackley

Plan showing possible options for growth for Towcester

The Joint Core Strategy is the priority document in the Joint Local Development Scheme. It is the overarching document and all subsequent documents must reflect what it says. The JCS will cover the period up to 2026.

The role of the Joint Core Strategy is to set out the spatial vision, spatial objectives and policies for the whole of Daventry District, Northampton Borough and South Northamptonshire Councils’ areas. This will provide the context for all the other documents that make up the Local Development Frameworks that the Councils will prepare separately and together.

The timetable for the production of the JCS is set out in the Joint Local Development Scheme. One of the key aims of the Local Development Framework system is “front loading”. This means that Councils should take key decisions early in the preparation of local development documents. The aim is to seek consensus on the key issues early in the preparation of plans and so avoid late changes being made. This is why the issues and options stage is so important – it enables a wide-ranging and open debate at the start of the Joint Core Strategy’s preparation.

The purpose of the issues and options stage is to identify the key issues and develop alternative options to address those issues. The alternative options will come from the evidence base and the views of everyone with an interest in West Northamptonshire.

Associated Questionnaire:

• Issues and Options Questionnaire (.pdf download)
• Issues and Options Questionnaire (MSWord, for computer entry)

The preparation of the Joint Core Strategy is being subject to a full integrated sustainability appraisal and strategic environmental assessment as required by national legislation and guidance. The sustainability appraisal has been carried out by ENVIRON and GVA Grimley using a team of consultants experienced in SA and SEA of local authority spatial planning documents.

The purpose of the sustainability appraisal is to promote sustainable development by integrating sustainability considerations into the plan making process. 

The next stage of the SA will be the appraisal of the preferred options. The results of the preferred options appraisal will be used by the councils to develop the final submission draft of the plan.
The SA report is being published for consultation alongside the issues and options document from the period 5th September to 31st October 2007. The purpose of this consultation is to provide the statutory environmental bodies and other interested parties the opportunity to express their opinion on the SA report. It also enables them to use the information within the SA West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Issues and Options Appraisal

South-Eastern Extension – Growth south of Northampton around Collingtree, Collingtree Park, Wootton, Grange Park with Northampton west and east of A45. Intensification of Brackmills, town centre intensification; new centre adjacent to Grange Park; provision of University Arc; new parkway station to south of Northampton.