CASTELLO FORTIOR CONCORDIA NORTHAMPTON BOROUGH COUNCIL NORTHAMPTON LOCAL PLAN 1993-2006 ADOPTED JUNE 1997 WRITTEN STATEMENT Indicating Saved Policies as amended by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government September 2007 David Moir Director of Environment Services June 1997 FOREWORD Northampton is rapidly developing town - fortunate in having within its boundary a blend of old and new. It combines a historic town centre, former village communities, modern housing areas and a diverse range of employers with parks and open spaces which extend right into the heart of the town. It is an environment of which we are proud. Almost thirty years ago Northampton was designated a new town and under the auspices of the Development Corporation, Northampton expanded significantly through the implementation of the Northampton Master Plan. The momentum of growth remains, but it is important to ensure that future development adds to the quality of the environment in Northampton. The adopted Local Plan forms the basis for all decisions relating to land use within the Borough. It reflects many comments and representations made during its preparation as well as taking on board the recommendations of a Planning Inspector appointed by the Department of Environment following a Public Inquiry into remaining objections. The Plan aims to guide the further expansion of Northampton. It seeks to conserve important open spaces, encourage a balanced mix of residential, business and leisure development and promote good sustainable transport initiatives. In essence it seeks to produce an environment which enhances Northampton for the benefit of all. In conclusion, I wish to pay tribute to the late Councillor Roger Alder who steered the Plan through the majority of its stages as chair of the Planning Committee. Councillor Terry Wire JP Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee, Northampton Borough Council September 1997 CONTENTS SCHEDULE OF SAVED POLICIES (SEPTEMBER 2007) 1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................. 1 2. ENVIRONMENT..................................................................... 4 3. HOUSING .............................................................................. 29 4. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY................................................... 49 5. TRANSPORTATION .............................................................. 66 6. RETAIL .................................................................................... 85 7. LEISURE AND TOURISM ....................................................... 97 8. DEVELOPMENT SITES ........................................................... 123 9. APPENDICES.......................................................................... 137 Note: Policies not Saved by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government are shown crossed out and in grey DIRECTION UNDER PARAGRAPH 1(3) OF SCHEDULE 8 TO THE PLANNING AND COMPULSORY PURCHASE ACT 2004 POLICIES CONTAINED IN THE NORTHAMPTON LOCAL PLAN ADOPTED JUNE 1997 The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in exercise of the power conferred by paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 8 to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 directs that for the purposes of the policies specified in the Schedule to this direction, paragraph 1(2)(a) of Schedule 8 to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 does not apply. Signed by authority of the Secretary of State Lesley Flint Head of Housing, Planning & Urban Policy Government Office for the East Midlands 21 September 2007 SCHEDULE POLICIES CONTAINED IN THE NORTHAMPTON LOCAL PLAN ADOPTED JUNE 1997 POLICY POLICY NAME / DESCRIPTION E1 Landscape and open space E2 Riverside landscape E4 Water environment E6 Greenspace E7 Skyline development E9 Locally important landscape areas E10 Hedgerows, trees and woodland E11 Hedgerows, trees and woodland E12 Hedgerows, trees and woodland E14 Corridors of travel E17 Nature conservation E18 Sites of acknowledged nature conservation value E19 Implementing development E20 New development (design) ENVIRONMENT E26 Conservation Areas: development and advertisements E28 Use of upper floor shops and other commercial premises E29 Shopping environment: new or replacement shop fronts E30 Shop front: external security protection E35 Advertisements: in conservation areas E36 Advertisement hoardings: express consent E38 Historic landscapes: nationally important ancient monuments / landscapes E39 Renewable energy E40 Crime and vandalism H1 Sites for major new residential development H4 Sites for major new residential development H5 Sites for major new residential development H6 Other housing development: within primarily residential area H7 Other housing development: outside primarily residential area H8 Other housing development: list of sites H10 Other housing development: backland development H11 Other housing development: commercial property in primarily residential areas H14 Residential development, open space and children’s play facilities H16 Housing for the elderly HOUSING H17 Housing for people with disabilities H18 Extensions H21 Conversion to flats H23 Conversion to flats H24 Conversion to flats H26 Conversion to flats – floors above shops H28 Hostels H29 Residential institutions POLICY POLICY NAME / DESCRIPTION H30 Multi-occupation with a single dwelling H31 Cumulative effect H32 Affordable housing H34 Gypsy caravan sites H35 Childcare facilities B1 Land allocations for business and industry: proposed business areas B2 Land allocations for business and industry: existing business areas B3 Land allocations for business and industry: business developments B4 Land allocations for business and industry: sites less than 1 hectare B5 Development policies for proposed business areas: Brackmills, Milton Ham and Pineham B6 Support services B7 Brackmills: height considerations B8 Northampton Cattlemarket B9 Pineham and Milton Ham: landscaping zone B10 Pineham and Milton Ham B11 Milton Ham: height considerations BUSINESS B13 Satisfactory residential environment B14 Development for non-business uses in business areas B17 Use of land for open storage, salvage and recycling B19 Existing business premises in primarily residential area B20 Working from home B22 Small businesses: up to 200sq.m B23 Repair and maintenance of vehicles B31 Environmental impact of business development: new locality B32 Environmental impact of business development: amelioration B33 Environmental impact of business development: hazardous development T4 Proposals for main distributor and primary roads: impacts of major developments T5 North West Bypass and town centre link T11 Commercial uses in residential areas T12 Development requiring servicing T14 Public transport – rail corridors TRANSPORT T16 Taxi services T22 Provision for people with a disability R5 Town centre: change of use R6 Town centre: primary shopping frontages R7 Town centre: secondary shopping frontages R9 Districts and local centres: change of use from shops R11 Shopping facilities / local centre in major residential development RETAIL R15 Car showrooms R16 Retail sales from petrol filling stations R17 Retailing from industrial premises POLICY POLICY NAME / DESCRIPTION L1 Existing recreational facilities L2 Community use of existing schools and colleges L3 Other existing local open space L4 New local recreational land L6 Maintenance of open space L10 Bradlaugh Fields L12 Motor sports and motorised water sports L13 Local community facilities LEISURE L16 River Valley Policy Area L17 Use of river and canal L20 Managed countryside recreation: Upton Country Park L24 Allotment gardens L25 Alternative use of allotment land L26 Leisure proposals: site specific L29 River Valley Policy Area: provision of new facilities D1 Land adj Bedford Road & Liliput Road, Brackmills: employment D4 Crow Lane (north): business or leisure D6 Delapre Abbey: office and conference centre D7 Duston Mill, Duston Mill Lane: hotel and leisure D9 M1 Junction 15a / A43: suitable for single development with high standard of building design within a landscaped setting D12 Land north west of Kings Heath D13 Overstone Scout camping ground (off Billing Lane): residential or public house/hotel D14 Pineham: business and housing D16 St Edmund’s Hospital: development guidelines given D17 Southbridge area and power station site, Nunn Mills: residential, business and leisure D20 Tweed Road (Pioneer Aggregates): development guidelines given D22 Angel Street/Bridge Street: retail or office D23 Castle Yard, St Andrew’s Road: residential or business, safeguard future position of north west bypass DEVELOPMENT SITES D26 Freeschool Street: high density residential or residential and office with retail on frontage to Marefair D27 Lower Mounts: car park and leisure/residential D28 St Andrews Street: residential and retail D29 St Johns car park: residential, leisure and parking D30 British Gas land, St Peter’s Way: mix of leisure, retail and employment with a minor element of housing D31 Victoria Street car park: office and car parking D32 Western Island, Lady’s Lane D33 Wellington Street: office and retail D35 York Road: business or residential Introduction CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION NORTHAMPTON LOCAL PLAN 1.1. The Northampton Local Plan sets out the policies and proposals adopted by the Borough Council for the development and use of land in Northampton. It seeks to provide a framework within which future development can be accommodated in a way which safeguards the quality of the local environment. It is one of several