STUDY B Study B
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAKING THE CONNECTION STUDY B Study B A Strategic Green Infrastructure Framework for North Northamptonshire 17.0 North Northamptonshire: The Resource 17.1 IntroductIon In common with West Northamptonshire (presented in Study A), a comprehensive examination of the environmental resource within North Northamptonshire has been undertaken in order to implement the approach discussed earlier and identify a GI Strategy. This section commences with an overview of the study area, followed by an examination of the resource, structured within the framework of a series of Strategic Themes, together with an analysis of issues that are likely to influence the development of GI. 17.2 An overvIeW of north northAmptonshIre North Northamptonshire is a predominantly rural area although it also contains a number of large towns that have all seen significant expansion throughout the twentieth century. Wellingborough, Kettering and Corby are the largest, although other smaller towns such as Thrapston, Rushden and Oundle are notable. The larger towns had humble origins, but saw significant growth following industrialisation and in particular the expansion of iron ore mining and processing in the nineteenth century. Despite their industrial character, especially notable in Corby which saw the most significant growth resulting from extraction and processing industries, many older buildings survive, often clustered around a stone church. The smaller towns have retained much more of their historic character, particularly Oundle, which is renowned for its architectural heritage. The countryside around these towns contains a diverse mix of farmland, woodland, villages and riverine landscapes that contribute to a rich and varied resource. The quiet rural character is a stark contrast to the bustle of the towns, although, as elsewhere in the country, the urbanising influences of large settlements and infrastructure continue to threaten the tranquillity of the wider rural landscape.
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