5 Neighbourhood Plan Policies for Parish

This section sets out the planning policies to guide development in Badby. 9 policies have emerged from the consultation and associated objectives.

B1 Protecting the landscape and local countryside character

As the introduction to our Plan makes clear the setting of Badby Parish is its greatest asset and, given the feed-back received from parishioners, the special designations given to the village and its surroundings, and overarching local and national policies, a key policy of our Neighbourhood Plan must be to protect those elements that make the setting of Badby special. Such a policy will not only benefit residents but the many regular visitors from elsewhere who enjoy it as a place of recreation. Far from being a ‘do- nothing’ option, this will require skill and vigilance in conserving what we have and ensuring that further development is in sympathy with what exists and meets the need to maintain the social vitality of the village and parish. . Development proposals that protect Badby’s setting will therefore be supported given that:

1. They maintain the integrity of the Special Landscape Area 2. They retain the compact nature of the village and are located within the ‘built confines’ (as shown on Map X) or ‘Exception Sites’ for Affordable Housing in compliance with WNJCS Policy H3 3. They maintain the scale, form and character of the existing settlement

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4. They preserve views into and out from the village regarded as significant and identified on Map XX.

Relates to Objectives 1, 2 and 5 Map, table and Photos of protected views to be included Views to include entrance to village at Neneside Close and Pinfold Green, area around church, other views from publicly accessed viewpoints e.g. roads, footpaths Map of confines to be included in appendix

Local Evidence Base

 Vision for Badby Survey 2014 delivered to 272 households (of which 96 responded) and 632 individuals (with 176 responses). o Features of the Village Rated Highly Important Among the 176 responses the following were rated ‘Highly Important’ . The Woods 134 . Surrounding Countryside 131 . Views from/of Badby 120

Technical evidence

 Special Designations o The Woods: a large part of Badby Wood was confirmed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest under Section 28 of The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. In addition part of the wood and that part of Park that lies within the Parish is designated a Registered Park o Surrounding Landscape: DDC’s Planning Policies plans show Badby Parish as sitting in a Special Landscape Area (Policy EN1). The West Northants Joint Core Strategy designates 2 swathes of land bordering the parish as Green Infrastructure Corridors (Policy BN1) and has a separate policy to protect The Nene (BN8) and its tributaries. DDC report due in April 2017 reviewing Special Landscape Area o The Village: much of Badby was designated a Conservation Area by DDC in 1993.

 Applicable Planning Polices o The Woods: o National Planning Policy 118 requires that Plans should minimise the impact on bio-diversity, protecting, in particular, areas of ancient woodland and land within or outside designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest

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o Wider Landscape: o DDC Policy EN1 states . Whilst new development for the purposes of agriculture, (forestry?), recreation or tourism may from time to time be necessary, they will be strictly controlled . Villages situated within Special Landscape Areas make their own contributions to the quality of those areas and proposals within such villages will be required to demonstrate that they are not harmful to that quality o WNJCS Policies BN1 and BN8 require that . The Nene and designated Green Infrastructure Corridors be recognised for their contribution to area’s green infrastructure network and sense of place o Village Centre o DDC’s Guidance Notes relating to the Conservation Area add that . Development which would block important views and lead to the enclosure of important open spaces will be discouraged

B2 New Housing Development

Based on a vision to retain and enhance the rural form and character of the Parish, the community prefers small scale developments that demonstrate a contribution to the delivery of an appropriate mix of dwelling types and sizes including affordable housing, to meet the needs of all sectors of the community Badby is currently designated a ‘restricted infill village’ under DDC Saved Policy HS22 which only permits development either a) on a small scale within the village confines and that does not affect open land that of is of particular significance to the form and character of the village. b) which comprises renovation or conversion of existing buildings for residential purposes and which is in keeping with the character and quality of the village. Under the new DDC Settlements and Countryside Plan Part 2A a new hierarchy of settlements is being proposed. It is not yet clear where Badby will be categorised.

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The WNJCS rural requirement has already been met, however this Neighbourhood Plan supports sustainable development in line with National Policy and the WNJCS. Therefore additional housing will be supported subject to criteria as defined in this policy. This Neighbourhood Plan is defining the confines on a map for the first time. They are being defined using a joint evidence base with DDC which includes criteria for defining the confines and the sharing of draft maps of confines being produced by DDC for the emerging Part 2 Local Plan. Map of confines in an apppendix Development proposals for new housing will be supported provided that ; 1. They are within built confines 2. The size and height of the properties are in keeping with the properties around them 3. Proposals for new housing development demonstrate how they help to maintain a mix of tenure, type and size of dwelling in the Parish. Proposals must demonstrate how they respond to the identified local need for affordable properties, smaller properties, bungalows and those suitable for retired residents 4. It is small-scale to retain and enhance the rural form and character of the Parish. 5. Any development outside the confines is an exceptions site Relates to Objectives 2 and 3 Local Evidence Base Village Survey 2014  54/96 respondents felt there was no need for further development, 56% of total and 44% wanted to see some development.  In the survey 78% (138/176) of the respondents rated the village architecture and building style as important, of which 50% rated it as very important.  Of those who believed there was a need for additional housing only 7% (3/42) believed there was a need for large executive houses. !00% (42) thought there was a need for starter homes and 69% (29/42) thought the village needed affordable rented / shared ownership houses. 64% (27/42) thought there was a need for those wanting to downsize. Open Day questionnaire September 2016, 108 attended the open day and 51 people filled in the questionnaire  57% (28/49) having read the pros and cons considered that Badby needed more housing

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 77% (33/43) said that starter / affordable homes were the types of housing needed Preferences in new development will take account of the views expressed in the 2016 Badby Housing Needs Survey (see Annex) and 2014 Vision for Badby survey, recognising the diversity of views of residents and that no development would meet all wishes of those who responded to the surveys, but that a good proportion of respondents saw a need for smaller affordable housing and homes for people seeking to down-size. The Housing Needs Survey undertaken by District Council in October 2016 identified 9 households as being in need of affordable housing, 6 of these households requested bungalows, 1 a 2 bed house and 2 wanted 1 bed flats.. Those wishing to buy on the open market were residents wanting to downsize from larger detached houses to bungalows because their houses were too large, or they had mobility problems

Technical Evidence West Northants Joint Core Strategy Local Plan Part 1  Policy H1 – Housing Density & Mix and type of dwellings  Policy H2 Affordable housing  Policy R1 Spatial Strategy for the rural areas Council Local Plan 1997 Saved policies (revised 2015)  General policies GN1 and GN2  EN2 Conservation areas  EN18 The redevelopment renovation and conversion of existing buildings within villages  EN21 Conversion or adaptation of traditional buildings  EN 42 Design of development  HS22 infill villages

B3 Heritage

Much of Badby was defined as a Conservation area in 1992. A very basic appraisal was carried out and DDC are currently carrying out a programme of conservation area appraisals. Badby village contains 28 listed buildings and 3 listed structures which can be described as having special architectural or historic importance, and a wide range of other attractive traditional buildings. The core of the village is formed by a large green, on which stand several imposing mature trees and there are other historic buildings within the village. The parish also contains the site of the ruins of the Anglo Saxon monastic retreat house on private land to the east of the present Park Close.

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The character of the village changes as you move south, narrowing to the junction of Main Street and Vicarage Hill where it again broadens towards two smaller, more intimate greens. This part of the village is characterised by several fine stone walls built in traditional style and of local stone. The conservation area also includes attractive open spaces and undeveloped areas which equally add to the character of the village or form an essential part of its setting. These areas provide a “window” for revealing and framing attractive views from both inside and outside the conservation area. Developments within the Conservation area will be supported providing that: 1. It is appropriate and in keeping with adjacent buildings and spaces. 2. Recognises, respects and retains the existing character of the village 3. Development of listed buildings preserves the historic nature of the buildings, maintains their internal and external form and features, and retains their contribution to the overall look and character of the area. 4. Additions to historic properties (listed and unlisted), retain integrity in the historic parts whilst at the same time, differentiating between the historic and new. Historic is defined as pre 1919. 5. Historic features such as stone boundary walls, are preserved or enhanced Relates to Objective 1 and 2 Local evidence Village Survey 2014 In the survey 78% (138/176) of the respondents rated the village architecture and building style as important, of which 50% rated it as very important Technical evidence Daventry District Council Local Plan 1997 Saved policies (revised 2015) EN2 Conservation areas EN18 The redevelopment renovation and conversion of existing buildings within villages EN21 Conversion or adaptation of traditional buildings

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List of historic properties (listed and unlisted) and walls and other built environment of importance, also historic open spaces e.g churchyard, village greens to be included as an appendix. Walls – Vicarage Hill, Main Street, Church Hill, Church Green, Brookside Lane, Village Green outside Hollies and Westerling and Greystones.,(Badby Conservation Area pamphlet 1993)

B4 Protection and enhancement of local community facilities Badby has a reasonable range of community facilities The Village Hall acts as a focus for cultural and social life in the village and is well used, not only by village societies but also for many other events and activities. The Church of St. Mary the Virgin is a grade 2* listed building and is one of the 5 Church of parishes known as the Knightley Parishes. The United Reform Church holds regular Sunday morning worship. The congregations of both churches play a significant role in the community life of the village, being the driving force behind a number of social activities directly and indirectly related to the churches. The churchyard has been closed for burial for many years. It forms part of the curtilage of the church and complements the overall appearance of the church as well as being of historical interest. The churchyard has been ‘adopted’ by the Parish Council and they are responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. The cemetery is owned and maintained by the Parish Council and has been extended several times although no extension is likely to be required in the short or medium term. Badby School is over 100 years old and currently has 160+ pupils and a popular pre-school for children from 3 years which shares the site with Badby School. There are 2 village pubs, both of which are free houses. Both offer accommodation and meals and have significant on-site parking which is of benefit to a village where parking spaces is at a premium. A number of village societies use the pubs for their regular meetings. A Playing field, situated on Long Rood outside the confines of the village, is owned by Badby Parish and used for sport and recreation.

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Protection and enhancement of local community facilities

There is a presumption in favour of the protection of existing facilities and that change of use will only be supported where : 1. Satisfactory evidence is produced that the site has been actively marketed for a prolonged period of 12 months or more without securing a viable community use for the facility or 2. the proposal includes alternative provision on a site within the locality, of equivalent or enhanced facilities. The community facilities are  The Village Hall  Pubs – Maltsters and Windmill Inn  The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Badby Parish Church.  United Reform Church  Churchyard  School  Cemetery  Playing fields Proposals for a village shop/ local convenience store would be supported subject to detailed considerations of location, design and impact on heritage and local character.

Relates to Objective 4. Parish Action 1

Local Evidence Base Village Survey 2014  There are a large number of comments in the survey where parishioners emphasise the importance of St. Mary’s Church as a historical building key to the village’s character. 55% (96/176) rated the church as of high importance and 23% ( 40/176) rated it important.43% (76/176) of the respondents used the church or chapel.  There are a very large number of comments regarding the importance of the school to the village and parish. 19% (33/176) of the respondents went to Badby School and 9 were currently attending. 42 went to events and activities at Badby School

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 A village shop was top ranked as to what could make Badby better, 51% thought the village needed a shop ( 89/176 ) and lack of shop was commented on in the 2015 village leafletting survey.  According to the survey 84 people (48%) attended events and activities in the village hall other than the local society meetings.

Technical evidence

 From DDC ‘Open space, sport and recreational facilities’ strategy report 2009: -  ‘Community and village halls should also be protected, due to the specific function these serve within villages. They cannot be substituted for any other type of facility therefore options for disposal are limited.”  The National Planning Policy Framework in Section 3 (Supporting a prosperous rural economy) states: -  “Promote the retention and development of local services and community facilities in villages, such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship.” West Northants Joint Core Strategy Local Plan December 2015 .  Policy RT9

B5 Protection of open spaces

The character and ethos of Badby Village is intimately connected to its relations to the surrounding countryside – the green areas around the village and the views of woods and fields, which lie within a Special Landscape Area. Within Badby Village there are a number of attractive open spaces which add to the character of the village and form an essential part of its setting. Some of these are within the designated conservation area, others outside.. The Green infrastructure corridor Newnham to Napton on the Hill borders Badby Parish and Badby Woods, a privately owned ancient woodland is within the parish. ‘Town and village greens’ are areas of land where local people have for many years played sport and games, held picnics and fêtes, gathered food, and have walked their dogs or similar activities . Villagers have the right to enjoy lawful sports and pastimes on the green without interruption from vehicles. There are 8 village greens within Badby registered with County Council. VG110 – The Green, west side VG112 – Stoneway, outside Marriotts House VG113 – Junction of Main Street and Stoneway

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VG115 – The Green, north end VG116 – The Green, south end VG118 – Junction of Main Street and School Lane VG122 – Church Green, north side VG123 – Church Green, south side Local Green Space designation empowers local communities to protect green spaces of local importance without the need to meet strict statutory criteria. Sites may be designated for a variety of reasons, including their setting, nature conservation benefits, or their quietness. Local communities are able to identify green spaces through their local and neighbourhood plans, which will then receive protection equivalent to Green Belt, ruling out new development other than in very special circumstances.

Protection of Open Spaces New development which impacts adversely on the function, openness and permanence of local green spaces and village greens will not be permitted unless in very special circumstances. The following local green spaces are designated within this plan in accordance with paragraphs 76 and 77 of the NPFF:  Pinfold Green  Neneside Close Relates to Objectives 1 and 5 and Parish Actions 2 and 3 The table below sets out how each of the proposed protected local green spaces meet the criteria of paragraph 77 of the NPPF Name of Green Distance from Special qualities / Extensive tract of Space Community local significance land Pinfold Green Within village Visual significance in No its location at entrance to the village Wide verge and Within village Visual significance in No tract of land its location at between A361 and entrance to the village Neneside Close bungalows

Map of village greens to be added Map of local green spaces with photos to be added?

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Local Evidence Base

 Evidence of the importance and the need to retain and maintain these valuable community assets. It is clear from consultation that local residents believe that greens, open spaces and rights of way are critical to maintaining Badby’s rural character. Village survey 2014  72% of respondents thought that the village greens were a very important feature and 78% rated Badby Woods and the surrounding countryside very important. 30% of respondents used the playing field and 20% played on the Village Greens. Nearly half the respondents used the public seats/benches around the village.  176 individuals commented – many referring to Badby’s unique character, unspoilt character, access to unspoilt countryside , public footpaths important part of village life, important for walkers, visitors

Technical evidence

 National Planning policy framework supports the retention and development of community facilities in villages,, including sports venues (para 28 NPPF)  National Planning Policy Framework para 76, 77 and 78 Local Green Space designation

 Northamptonshire Current landscape Assessment Badby and the surrounding area is assessed as character type 13. Undulating hills and valleys  Northamptonshire Current County Landscape Character Strategy and Guidelines ‘to control new development to avoid the more elevated areas, and particularly any encroachment onto the upper slopes and summits of isolated hills to ensure that their distinctive profile remains open and unobstructed’

 Daventry District Council Saved Policies From The Daventry District Local Plan (June 1997) Saved 28th September 2007 Revised Post Adoption Of Joint Core Strategy Local Plan (December 2015) o Policy C5 o Requirements policy R1 o Policy BN1 West Northants Joint Core Strategy Local Plan December 2015 .  Policy RC6  Policy BN1

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B6 Local sports and recreation facilities

Badby Parish contains areas for both formal and informal recreation set within its boundaries. : Greens, Open Spaces, Playing Fields, Allotments, cricket pitch, 2 long distance footpaths and rights of way Land known as Long Rood, outside the existing confines of the Village, is owned by Badby Parish and is used for sports and recreation. It has a playing field with a BMX mountain bike track and a full size football pitch with two metal goal posts. The cricket Field is leased from BPC by Badby Cricket Club and the 24 allotments are leased by Badby Allotments Association. There is no play equipment for young children either on the current playing field or elsewhere within the village Badby has a network of 20 public footpaths and rights of way, linking facilities around the village, open countryside and long distance footpaths. 2 nationally recognised long distance footpaths, and Knightley Way, start in Badby. Walkers are also allowed access to the privately owned Badby Woods adjacent to the Parish boundary.. There is a picnic area adjacent to the A361 with a footpath into Badby. This contains two picnic benches and car parking and is maintained by Northamptonshire County Council. Local sports and recreation facilities Proposals to enhance and improve the Playing field, Cricket pitch, Allotments and Picnic area facilities will be supported when: - 1. The existing landscape character including openness will be maintained 2. They provide suitable access and parking Relates to Objectives 1 and 6 and Parish Actions 4 and 5 Local evidence base  Many of the comments received at the Open Day in February 2016 referred to lack of play facilities for young children and in the Village Survey 2014 when asked what 3 things could make Badby better, no. 2 was a children’s play area. Comments were also made in the 2015 Parish leafletting survey about lack of play facilities.

Technical evidence  NPPF para 28, 73 - 74  Daventry District Council Saved Policies From The Daventry District Local Plan (June 1997) Saved 28th September 2007 Revised Post Adoption Of West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Local Plan (December 2015) ??

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B7 Employment Introduction Within the village there is a general hauliers company employing between 5 and 25 people, 2 village pubs, a school and a pre-school, and a general builder as well as other small businesses employing local villagers and homeworkers/self-employed. Within the parish boundary close to its border with Daventry, there is a large specialist nursing and rehabilitation facility, Badby Park that employs over 100 people, making it the largest employer in the Parish. There are also a number of farms and associated businesses and two garden nurseries A key issue for small businesses and homeworkers is the infrastructure and the speed of internet connections.

New local employment opportunities 1. Proposals for agricultural development will be supported where it does not detract from the area but respects the existing features and character and avoids noisy activities, light pollution, heavy industry or traffic levels beyond the capacity of local rural roads. 2. New business and industrial development within the village confines will be supported provided the scale and character of the proposal reflects the residential nature of the surroundings and the issues of parking and access. 3. Proposals will be supported which promote homeworking and self-employment through small-scale changes of use of buildings where planning consent is required. Relates to objective 7 Local Evidence Base

 There are already a number of home workers within the village ( in the 2014 Vision for Badby survey, of the 81 villagers who responded to the question on place of work, 9 (11%) worked at home and  13 (16%) of respondents worked for a business within Badby parish

Support from and Compliance with Existing Planning Policies

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West Northants Joint Core Strategy Local Plan Dec. 2015  General policies GN1 A and F.  General Policies GN 2: A, G, H:  Policy EN1  Policy EN38.  Policy EM11.  Policy EM12  Policy EM13  Policy EM14

B8 Community Facilities and Community Infrastructure Levy. Developer contributions or provision will be sought, where appropriate, and Community Infrastructure Levy will be used, when available, for improved community facilities and infrastructure in the Parish The following proposals have been identified in surveys Children’s play area Upkeep of village greens Improvement of pedestrian ways and cycle paths Increasing public and community transport to and from the village Improvement of public parking

Relates to Objectives 1,5,6,8,9

Local Evidence Base 2014 Vision for Badby survey Technical evidence Policy INF2

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B9 Traffic Management and Transport Policy Introduction Access to existing community facilities and nearby towns and villages should be protected in their present state and improved upon to ensure their continued use. The bus links to , with the onward rail link to Marylebone, and Daventry, with its further bus links to Rugby, and Station are critical, particularly for the elderly and others without their own transport. The village, the wider parish and its facilities are used frequently by visitors. As a consequence this needs to be considered as an influence on the transport policy. Like many villages Badby has parking problems with narrow roads and limited off road parking, in particular Vicarage Hill, Church Hill, Church Green, Brookside Lane, Bunkers Hill and the southern end of Main Street.. In addition, although speeding is not considered an issue within the village, the entries to the village via Bunkers Hill and Pinfold Green are considered difficult and somewhat unsafe due to the quantity and speed of traffic on the A361 and the bends in the A361. Consideration needs to be given to how this can be improved upon and the risk of accident reduced. Badby has a significant elderly population and the provision of transport and support facilities will become still more critical in the future. This needs to be recognised now and be considered in policy-making.

Traffic management and transport improvements Developments will be supported providing that 1. They have satisfactory means of access and adequate parking provision (a minimum of 2 off road parking spaces per dwelling) 2. Entrances to the village are not compromised 3. Roads within the village to access the development will support the additional traffic Proposals for the retention and improvement of bus services that support the needs of parishioners in both their personal and working lives will be supported.

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Relates to objectives 8 and 9, Parish Actions 6, and 7 Local Evidence Base From the village survey the following were noted to contribute to the above policies • Regular Bus service is vital to a significant number of people. • Transport requirements for elderly particularly links to medical facilities are increasingly important as the Danetre Medical Centre is reducing the services offered and referring people to Northampton Hospital.

Village Survey 2014  Parking was a very important issue for 58% of respondents (54/93)  Issues relating to the speed and bends on theA361 were important or very important to 75% of respondents (66/88) Technical evidence WNJCS Local Plan Part 1

 Policy C1  Policy R3  Policy C3

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Parish Actions

In the surveys and discussions several area were highlighted that are not planning issues, and could not be considered central to the Neighbourhood Plan, These were considered important enough to record and to include within the objectives.

These include: Parish Action 1 Through its representatives on the Badby Village Hall Management Committee, Badby Parish Council (BPC) will monitor the use and maintenance of the Hall to ensure it continues to be able to provide a location for cultural and social activities in the parish, as well as communicating the needs of the parishioners to the committee.(Objective 4) Parish Action 2 Badby Parish Council will budget to maintain the churchyard and the cemetery and their boundaries in good condition through repair and planned maintenance (Objective 5) Parish Action 3 The Parish Council will endeavour to maintain the Greens in good condition and seek to prevent any change to their character. (Objective 5) Parish Action 4 The Parish Council will seek to put pressure on Northamptonshire County Council to maintain rights of way in good condition. (Objective 6) Parish Action 5 The Parish Council will seek to find an area suitable for the siting of play equipment for young children. (Objective 6)

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Parish Action 6 The Parish Council, in conjunction with Northamptonshire County Council, will work to ensure traffic management is optimal. Specific examples are in the immediate area of the school to ensure the safety of pupils, staff, parents and parishioners and Church Green. (Objective 8) Parish Action 7 The Parish Council will seek to put pressure on Northamptonshire County Council for measures for reducing the speed at which traffic enter the village from the A361 heading south (Objective 8). .

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