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 “ 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 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. (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 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. 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 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 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 ’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. community within Corby. The Design Policies in the Plan take forward the Urban Structures Study and seek to enhance connectivity and community cohesion from new development. Hallam Land Draft Vision & HLM generally supports the draft vision on page 7 of the consultation document and its aspiration Noted. Management Outcomes to see North Northamptonshire widely recognised ‘as a safe, healthy, affordable and attractive area for residents and visitors, and an excellent place for business to invest.’

Trustees of the F G Draft Vision & The Trustees generally support the draft vision on page 7 of the consultation document and its Noted. Saxby No 4 Outcomes aspiration to see North Northamptonshire widely recognised ‘as a safe, healthy, affordable and Settlement attractive area for residents and visitors, and an excellent place for business to invest.’ Responses to Draft Vision and JPU Response Item 4 Appendix 1 Name Policy/Section Summary of Response and Proposed Change JPU Response Davies & Co Draft Vision & Aspirational? – undoubtedly and commendably so It is considered that the Vision and Outcomes provide a locally distinctive framework for North Outcomes Realistic? – less clear. Northamptonshire. An extensive evidence base exists and detailed technical work is being undertaken to ensure the Plan is deliverable. Town Draft Vision & In principle the Town Council welcomes the general approach being progressed in the emerging Noted. Council Outcomes Core Strategy. The positive emerging policy context facilitating growth and regeneration at Rushden is supported by the Town Council, who support the revised draft Vision and Outcomes for Principal Towns set out in the appendix to the document. Prologis Draft Vision & The vision and outcomes must be refined to explicitly refer to the contribution the strategic It is considered that the Plan clearly recognises the importance of strategic distribution and that Outcomes distribution sector will make to underpinning economies, providing continued opportunity for further amendment to the vision is not necessary. growth and delivering other aspects of the JCS e.g. its low carbon agenda and ability to unlock employment sites (thus providing the potential for elements of „high value‟ employment uses).

Nene Valley NIA Draft Vision & The Revital-ISE project area overlaps but is not contained within the NIA boundary: the NIA Vision has been amended to include the Ise Corridor, which includes the Revital-ISE project Outcomes cannot therefore be said to ‘include’ the Revital-ISE corridor. If both initiatives must be mentioned area. The Revital-ISE project will be specifically mentioned within the supporting text of the in the paragraph I suggest the wording ‘NIA and Revital-ISE’. green infrastructure policy. North Draft Vision & Page 7 – Draft Vision and Outcomes. Amend the opening paragraph to read: By 2031, with a It is considered that the Vision should be amended to clarify that North Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Outcomes coherent strategic plan, direction, investment and confidence, North Northamptonshire can be a remains a growth area and that North Northamptonshire seeks to remain a focus for inward Landowners Group showpiece for modern, sustainable green living, employment and well managed development investment. which incorporates social and environmental benefits: a resilient etc. etc.

Wellingborough Draft Vision & The Chamber of Commerce (WCC)/ Town Centre Partnership (WTCP) consider It is not considered necessary to make this amendment. Chamber of Outcomes that the vision for Wellingborough should be wider than just office development at the station. Trade/Wellingborou gh Town Centre Wellingborough will be the gateway to North Northamptonshire for businesses seeking good rail and road connectivity to the South East and Europe, with a range of high quality employment Partnership areas including a high profile office development centred on the railway station and major business park on the A45 at Wilby Way. Its historic core will be the basis for creating a 21st century market town centred on convenience and leisure serving both town and satellite villages. Responses to Draft Vision and JPU Response Item 4 Appendix 1 Name Policy/Section Summary of Response and Proposed Change JPU Response East Draft Vision & It is felt that the overall vision for the Core Spatial Strategy review needed to include a more It is considered that it is not necessary to provide this level of detail, some of which can be Northamptonshire Outcomes localised vision for , as proposed in suggested change. The other councils picked up in the spatial portrait and supporting text to policies. The East Northamptonshire Council may also want to seek out the locally distinctive approach they wish to take. Vision takes forward local feedback, the economic strategy and seeks to reflect the hierarchy of settlements within the District. Suggested amended Vision East Northamptonshire will be the heartland of new enterprises, based on regenerated and It is considered that the East Northamptonshire Vision should be amended to clarify the status thriving market towns with an enhanced role for Rushden as a sub-regional growth town. of Rushden as the District's Growth Town but that it is inappropriate to refer to Rushden as a Diverse, sustainable villages set within living, working countryside which retains its distinctive sub-regional growth town as this is not supported by the previous designation of sub-regional local character will provide the backdrop for tourism, creative industries and low carbon centres within the Regional Plan and there is not an evidence base to support businesses to locate at the meeting point of the Nene Valley and Rockingham Forest. this.

Significant levels of residential growth at Rushden and implementation of existing planning The Vision for North Northamptonshire should be amended to incorporate permissions at will enable investment in services, facilities and infrastructure to the benefit of the whole district. Sustainable growth at , , and A strong focus on growing investment in tourism, leisure and green infrastructure will be will complement the distinctive character of these market towns. A general balanced with the protection and enhancement of the area’s landscape character and its emphasis on communities meeting their local needs and aspirations will reinforce vibrant rural valuable built and natural environment. and local service centres and thriving village communities. Residential growth across the district will be employment led as the district becomes a place where it is equally as attractive to invest As these are key priorities across North Northamptonshire. and work as it is to live. The Nene Valley and Rockingham Forest are already highlighted within the vision as a focus for There will be a strong focus on growing investment in tourism, leisure and green infrastructure habitat restoration and recreation alongside tourism opportunities. but balanced with the protection and enhancement of the area’s landscape character and its valuable built and natural environment. Cottingham cum Draft Vision & We support the selection of Corby as a location for growth over the plan period. Noted. Middleton outcomes- Corby Copyholders CL Stopford-Sackville Draft Vision & The vision does not accommodate the opportunities for Thrapston to deliver strong levels of The policies in the Plan provide the framework for economic development to come forward to Outcomes economic growth, picking up on its locational advantage at the heart of the UK transport network. deliver the spatial vision.

It is requested that further consideration is given to the importance of economic development and the opportunities which exist along the ‘A14 corridor’ e.g. Thrapston and Kettering.

Trustees of Ecton Draft Vision & Significant cross border cooperation within WNJPU particularly in relation to The two JPU's have worked together during the preparation of the Core Strategies and the Estate Outcomes related development, not within Northampton Borough Boundary, but land abutting emerging plan recognises the key infrastructure links with and Northampton within Wellingborough needs to be given more consideration, in the same manner, Northampton. more co-operation between WNJPU and NNJPU, this approach is supported by the recently adopted NPPF.

More consideration needs to be given of linkages of 4 local authorities within NNJPU and particularly the linkage with Northampton Borough Council and infrastructure links to the west.

Hampton Brook Ltd Draft Vision & We welcome the Vision for Wellingborough but consider that as well as emphasising the town as It is not considered necessary to make this amendment. Development around Wellingborough outcomes- a business gateway it should also refer to the importance of integrating business and residential Station is a clearly identified Council priority which is reflected in the Vision for Wellingborough growth, securing material community benefits. Moreover we question why the narrative should Wellingborough. single out one particular scheme for reference: it should emphasise the importance of delivering a range of sites and locations around the town including those already committed and new deliverable opportunities. Responses to Draft Vision and JPU Response Item 4 Appendix 1 Name Policy/Section Summary of Response and Proposed Change JPU Response Roxhill Draft Vision & In general we support the Vision and Outcomes set out within the Draft JCS, particularly the Noted. Developments Outcomes emphasis on Kettering's business community and excellent connectivity via the trans-European A14. Indeed the planned future economic growth in Kettering will need to capitalise on the connectivity with the A14 in order to deliver the necessary employment growth to 2031.

Barwood Land Draft Vision & Barwood Land notes the Draft Vision and Outcomes at the beginning of the draft JCS; in It is considered that the Vision provides a positive framework to capitalise on the opportunities Outcomes particular the proposed role defined for East Northamptonshire. Whilst it agrees with the overall for growth in East Northamptonshire consitent with sustainability and local aspirations. approach of the Draft Vision and Outcomes in promoting small and medium enterprises in East Northamptonshire and ensuring regeneration of its market towns, it believes its overall tone does not emphasise enough either the need or the opportunities for growth in East Northamptonshire.

Barwood Land Draft Vision & Barwood Land also notes within the Draft Vision and Outcomes that an enhanced role for It is considered that there is a robust rationale for the identification of Rushden as a Growth Outcomes Rushden is proposed for East Northamptonshire. We comment on this in detail below, but would Town and it is recommended that the East Northamptonshire Vision is amended to clarify this. like to emphasise that in the current economic climate it is important to provide a degree of flexibility in terms of development and growth. Barwood Land's concern is the emphasis on The Vision makes provision for development and regeneration at the market towns within East growth exclusively in Rushden and the potential provision of a new settlement at Northamptonshire. may detract from regeneration elsewhere in East Northamptonshire and that it presents an unnecessary risk for the Joint Planning Unit in unduly concentrating growth in a few areas of East Northamptonshire, especially in one that will require significant investment in enabling infrastructure. Northamptonshire Draft Vision & We welcome the reference to safety within the strategy’s vision ‘North Northamptonshire will Noted. Police & Fire and Outcomes be… widely recognised as a safe, healthy, affordable and attractive area for residents and visits…’ Rescue However, despite this reference within the vision there is no clear policy which assists to ensure community safety and security. Midland Co- Draft Vision & The Vision and Outcomes is growth town ‘specific’ and fails to identify the important role of the It is considered that the overarching and local Visions recognise the role of market towns in Operative Society Outcomes market towns. The vision makes no mention of the market towns, despite their significant role in North Northamptonshire within the context of a continuation of a Growth Town focussed Ltd the Strategy (accommodating some 22% of the housing requirements in the ‘Strategic strategy. Opportunity’). We recommend that a specific phrase is inserted to reflect this significance.

Indeed the Vision and Outcomes for Kettering are a hang-over from the first strategy, which refers only to the growth town of Kettering and not the Borough as a whole, which it should. The vision should also recognise that the A6 runs through the Borough and is an important artery connecting the sub-region northwards to the conurbation of (and the Three Cities), and south with and the MKSM area, and the significance that this has for growth along that corridor.

The Society of Draft Vision & 2nd bullet point Thrapston has an important role to play in contributing to the overall vision for It is considered that the overarching and local Visions recognise the role of market towns in Merchant Venturers outcomes- East East Northamptonshire. Importantly, the Joint Core Strategy must make provision for further North Northamptonshire. Northamptonshire development in the market towns, to help deliver the vision of ‘...regenerated and thriving market towns’. in contributing to the overall vision for East Northamptonshire.

Importantly, the Joint Core Strategy must make provision for further development in the market towns, to help deliver the vision of ‘...regenerated and thriving market towns’.

“East Northamptonshire will be the heartland of small and medium sized enterprises. Further investment and development focused on the market towns will have helped secure their regeneration. Diverse, sustainable villages...” Responses to Draft Vision and JPU Response Item 4 Appendix 1 Name Policy/Section Summary of Response and Proposed Change JPU Response Rothwell Land ltd Draft Vision & The draft Vision and Outcomes identified in Section 4 does not present a realistic view of how It is considered that the Vision and Outcomes provide a locally distinctive framework for North Outcomes North Northamptonshire and the areas within it should develop over the next 20 years. Northamptonshire. An extensive evidence base exists and detailed technical work is being undertaken to ensure the Plan is deliverable. Broughton Parish Draft Vision & The framework and objectives within which the document has been formulated are discussed in Noted. Council Outcomes detail in the introduction and provide a level of reassurance that local priorities and concerns will be addressed throughout the future planning process. This is again emphasised in the Draft Vision and Outcomes, citing Empowered and Proactive Communities, which the Parish Council sincerely hope will be put into practice. Kettering Borough Draft Vision & Kettering Borough Council endorses the vision for Kettering. An active and vibrant town centre is Noted. Council Outcomes central to Kettering Borough’s ability to deliver to the challenging growth agenda. The town centre is set to deliver approximately 1,000 of Kettering Borough’s 10,700 new homes over the next 20 years to 2031, the town is identified to contribute over 6,600 new dwellings within the period. Kettering town centre is considered pivotal to achieving these targets, potentially playing an influential role as the largest centre by providing a sub-regional town centre that provides for smaller settlements throughout North Northamptonshire. The threat caused by the proposed out-of-town retail development within East Northamptonshire could undermine the vision for Kettering, other towns and villages, and the ability of these settlements to deliver planned growth. Northamptonshire Draft Vision & The Draft Vision and Outcomes which are outlined in the Emerging Plan align with the broad aims Noted. County Council Outcomes and objectives outlined in the County Council’s own documents, namely the Northamptonshire Transport Arc and the Northamptonshire Transportation Plan.

The comments presented in this response are our initial views from a transport perspective, made prior to completion of the transport modelling and detailed analysis required to come to a firm conclusion. At this stage therefore it is inappropriate to make any observations regarding the deliverability of the Plan.