Draft Vision Responses with AB Comments.Xlsx
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Responses to Draft Vision and JPU Response Item 4 Appendix 1 Name Policy/Section Summary of Response and Proposed Change JPU Response Cllr A Mercer Draft Vision & It states that “Kettering will be the largest retail centre…” It is not considered necessary to make this amendment. The retail strategy and requirements Outcomes Kettering retail centre is of fixed size and incapable of further expansion, without demolition of within the adopted CSS has been taken forward in the adopted Kettering Town Centre Area some non-retail areas. For that reason, Kettering has already developed several out-of-town Action Plan, which makes provision and identifies sites for significant retail expansion and the retail centres. Vision reflects this. For this reason, the text should be: “Kettering is the largest retail centre…” Rachel Terry Draft Vision & Support the Revital-Ise initiative. Would like to see Kettering have a vibrant town centre but not Noted. Outcomes sure how it can be achieved English Heritage East Draft Vision & English Heritage is concerned that the vision does not recognise the importance of the historic The vision has been amended to make reference to midlands Outcomes environment in the area, which is a key component of the character and distinctiveness of N Northants.The vision should provide the ‘hook’ for the historic environment policy. Recognition A strong focus on growing investment in tourism, leisure and green infrastructure will be of the role that the historic environment has in the delivery of the Core Strategy would be an balanced with the protection and enhancement of the area’s landscape character and its aspect of setting out a ‘positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic valuable built and natural environment. environment’ (NPPF, paragraph 126). It is considered that this provides a suitable hook for the historic environment policy and the We recommend the addition of an additional paragraph following the paragraph on the package of policies that seek to protect assets. Rockingham Forest (which is a heritage asset in its own right) along the lines of: ‘The process of change will have been informed by an understanding of its cultural heritage and will be managed so that the diverse and high quality historic environment of the area is conserved and enhanced.’ Wilbarston Parish Draft Vision & We don't believe the Draft Visions and Outcomes are entirely realistic. Specifically we don't think The vision for town centres takes forward the emphasis on town centre regeneration within the Council Outcomes they recognise that the nature of town centres has evolved and continues to evolve. The vision adopted CSS, which is consitent with national planning policy and is being taken forward by the for town centres may therefore be unrealistic. local planning authorities. NNDC Draft Vision & The emerging plan is not clear regarding its strategic intent; it is not clear what extent of The development of the Plan is underpinned by a robust evidence base including demographic Outcomes demographic change is sought in the area, particularly in regard to the balance between in- modeling. Viability Assessment is being undertaken on the policies within the Plan. migration and meeting local needs. In short, is this a growth strategy under the RSS, or not? It is considered that the Vision should be amended to clarify that North Northamptonshire The plan is short on demographic analysis and changed/charged projections. The link between remains a growth area. the planned level of growth, and its likely delivery in terms of market conditions and reliance on developer funding is not substantiated? Spire Homes Draft Vision & Zero carbon by 2016 – is this realistic for affordable housing in the current economic/Government Viability Assessment is being undertaken on the policies within the Plan. Outcomes funding climate? We support high standards for energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable construction but this needs to be balanced with the financial capacity of Regional Housing Providers to meet such standards for affordable housing. Desborough Town Draft Vision & The draft vision has merit but the outcomes are not necessarily realistic. For example, Draft It is considered that the Vision and Outcomes provide a locally distinctive framework for North Council Outcomes Policy 11(b)(iv) - Locating large B8 units or heavy industry or supermarket uses within a traditional Northamptonshire. street structure, with public frontage to the street so that they integrate into the wider character of the settlement. This does not take into consideration access arrangements for large goods Comments re Policy 11 noted. vehicles, the need for an adequate/improved local transport infrastructure and the 24/7 nature of many of these types of industries. This also conflicts with Draft Policy 24. The development of the Plan is being underpinned by a robust evidence base including Infrastructure Delivery Plan and detailed Transport Modelling to identify the necessary In addition more detailed information on infrastructure development with a particular emphasis infrastructure improvements and support the draft vision. on education, health and transport is needed to support the draft vision. Responses to Draft Vision and JPU Response Item 4 Appendix 1 Name Policy/Section Summary of Response and Proposed Change JPU Response Natural England Draft Vision & Natural England considers the draft vision and outcomes to be an aspirational and realistic view Noted. Outcomes of development over the next 20 years, but would emphasise the need for sustainable growth that focuses on existing settlements with access to jobs, services, amenities, open space and public transport links. Future growth must reflect the role of the natural environment in securing sustainable and healthy communities. Natural England Draft Vision & There are various points within the draft Vision that Natural England support. We particularly Noted. Outcomes welcome within the first paragraph the aim to promote North Northamptonshire as an area for green living with well managed sustainable development, adaptable to climate change whilst making note to the importance the countryside can have to the local economy. Natural England also supports plans to benefit businesses in rural areas whilst respecting the character of the countryside. Natural England Draft Vision & Natural England supports the ambition for low carbon based construction innovation as set out Noted. Outcomes within the draft Vision. This ought to have positive impacts on the environment and also on the regeneration projects at Rockingham Forest. In particular, the major tree planting scheme and improvements to the Nene Valley Nature Improvement Area and restoring and creating habitats in this area. Middleton Parish Draft Vision & In trying to meet commitments to double Corby’s population, current expansion plans create a The policies in the adopted and emerging CSS seek to ensure that the development of Corby, a Council outcomes- Corby real danger of the structure and community cohesion of Corby being damaged beyond repair. clearly stated aspiration of the Council brings significant benefits to the structure and This is because; community within Corby. The Design Policies in the Plan take forward the Urban Structures 1. Future employment opportunities in Corby may be wildly over-optimistic. If housing Study and seek to enhance connectivity and community cohesion from new development. development is commenced before the creation of jobs by new, local industry and commerce, we will again see unfinished, unsold housing projects with consequential loss of projected revenues from council tax, community infrastructure revenues and the costs of any new infrastructure requirements being left for the local tax-payers to settle. Middleton Parish Draft Vision & 2. Underestimates of the demands on infrastructure and services that substantial population The development of the Plan is being underpinned by a robust evidence base including Council outcomes- Corby growth creates e.g. Highway capacity both urban and rural, medical services, schools, town Infrastructure Delivery Plan and detailed Transport Modelling to identify the necessary centre parking and policing to name a few, all of which already have severe pressure on their infrastructure improvements and support the draft vision. funding and resources – who will pay for these? History tells us it will not be the developers. Middleton Parish Draft Vision & 3. Fractured townscape, flawed unbalanced demographics – for example the 4000 dwelling West The principle of the West Corby SUE is set out in the adopted CSS and was tested through the Council outcomes- Corby Corby Extension over a mile away from Corby town centre, would create a virtual new village, development of the plan. The CSS and emerging plan seek to prioritise brownfield development rather than extend the town. The development would make Corby about 8 miles wide, grossly where possible. out of proportion to its population. Before a single inch of a Greenfield site is considered for urban expansion, every conceivable effort must be made to use brownfield sites. In Corby this The policies in the adopted and emerging CSS seek to ensure that the development of Corby, a does not appear to have been the case to date, and should be the subject of a comprehensive clearly stated aspiration of the Council brings significant benefits to the structure and new review before any future urban expansion.