Northamptonshire Arc Background Report May 2010 Foreword At present, there is no single A series of strategic priorities and strategy that encompasses interventions are identified which help to all of the county’s plans articulate how the three outcomes will be into one coherent approach. delivered and represent a ‘Transformational Neither is there an Agenda’. These build on existing assets such approach that expresses as our strengths in the high performance priorities in a practical and spatial way. engineering and motorsports sectors and growth potential, and new opportunities The purpose of the Northamptonshire Arc such as those presented by new technology concept is to provide this joined-up approach, and innovation and biodiversity, habitat and in doing so create a strategic policy creation, heritage, and recreation. context for future planning and investment decisions on transport, economic development, Importantly the Northamptonshire Arc environmental and other planning and looks at these three thematic outcomes in investment activities. It is an approach based an integrated way, rather than in isolation. on real and functional economic geography This will help to align activity, create a rather than administrative boundaries. commonality, confidence and certainty of purpose, add value and differentiate This background report will help to shape Northamptonshire from other areas. These and guide important new documents and will be increasingly important factors in the investment plans in the future. This includes difficult financial times which lie ahead. the first statutory Local Economic Assessment, the Sub-Regional Investment Plan and a The purpose of publishing this document is to new style Connectivity Strategy (which will ask for your ideas to help inform how we take incorporate the role of a Local Transport Plan). forward and develop the Northamptonshire Arc concept and ensure that it is as strong Three thematic outcomes underpin as possible an advocacy document for the Northamptonshire Arc and are the whole of the Northamptonshire. crucial to creating a cleaner, greener more prosperous county. These are: • Improved Connectivity Councillor Jim Harker • Leadership on Climate Change Leader of Northamptonshire County Council and Biodiversity • A Stronger and Greener Economy Introduction The need for a the Greater South East and the opportunities and challenges this presents, particularly in Northamptonshire Approach relation to the Housing Growth Agenda. At present, there is no single, overall strategy A spatial framework is required which which offers a coherent approach to all the will help to shape and inform responses county’s plans, or expresses our priorities to external drivers and help to put local in a practical, spatial way. Moreover, there priorities and activities into context. It will is no overarching advocacy document for also help to ensure that Northamptonshire external investment in Northamptonshire. capitalises on its strategic location, What is also clear is the need for an approach access to national networks, and which articulates and reflects local ambitions other opportunities. This framework is at a county level and complements the termed the Northamptonshire Arc. Northamptonshire Sustainable Communities The Northamptonshire Arc has been Strategy. It is essential that this approach adopted by the County Council to guide acknowledges Northamptonshire’s wider its decisions on transport, economic strategic location and proximity to London and NFigureo rth a m p1t o|n Northamptonshires h ire A rc Arc B ase Map s te e r d a v ie s g le a v e P :\P rojects \222\2\90\01\G IS \MAP P ING \Mapinfo\W orks paces \Northamptons hire Arc B as e.wor 4 | Northamptonshire Arc Background Report development, environmental and other Northamptonshire Arc planning and investment activities. And, is intended to provide an overarching - Spatial context and advocacy document for external investment ambitions in Northamptonshire. The Northamptonshire Arc will also inform the County Council’s In spatial terms, the Northamptonshire Arc input into the county’s statutory spatial (see Figure 1) represents a broad corridor plans, in particular the Core Strategies for running approximately south-west to north- North and West Northamptonshire. It is east from Northampton. It encompasses all envisaged that some of the more detailed the larger towns including Daventry and Northamptonshire Arc proposals and their Towcester in the west and south, Kettering spatial implications would be considered and and Corby in the north and Wellingborough, tested through the statutory planning process. Rushden, Oundle and Thrapston in the east. The County Council is represented alongside It is located strategically between the World the district and borough councils on the City of London and Birmingham, the learning Joint Committees established to prepare centres of Cambridge and Oxford, and its and review the Core Strategies. It will seek immediate proximity to the Greater South East. to ensure that these and other plans for It is also connected by a number of the major the county offer a coherent approach. economic arteries (both road and rail) which link London with other centres and markets. The Northamptonshire Arc is an outcome- led, rather than project led, approach. Three As a “cluster” of intrinsically linked centres, high-level thematic outcomes underpin the Northamptonshire Arc has the potential the Northamptonshire Arc. These are: to provide an outstanding location to live and offers a diverse choice of employment • Transformed connectivity opportunities, many at the leading edge of • Leadership on climate change & biodiversity their sectors. It can combine the best of urban living with an attractive rural environment • A stronger and greener economy which can be the envy of other areas. Part A series of sub-regional priorities (see of the Arc concept is an enhanced network Appendix A) and activities (see Appendix of green spaces and a strategic biodiversity B) are identified which flow from, reflect, corridor connecting and running between the and will help deliver these outcomes. The main centres. The concept will span homes, intention is to provide further clarity and jobs, recreational and leisure opportunities and focus, particularly at the county level. This excellent connectivity encompassing transport will help to strengthen and align existing and next generation digital connections activity, demonstrate how this fits with and enabling the opportunity to work, or access complements external agendas and local many services, from home. High academic ambitions, and identify and address gaps. It is and vocational educational attainment will be also to help influence decisions on investment, central to the concept which would also be both internal and external to the county, and expected to have the highest environmental action on delivery. It draws on the work of the credentials in terms of biodiversity, habitat borough and district councils, joint planning management and the built environment. units, regional and local agencies and others. Northamptonshire Arc Background Report | 5 This would ensure that local residents providers. Discussions have also taken place enjoy the best life chances and help to with the borough and district councils, make the Arc and Northamptonshire an regional agencies (including the Regional area of choice for prospective residents, Development Agency, Homes & Communities businesses and new investment. Agency, Government Office and the MKSM Secretariat) and key Government officials. How will it be used? Initial views have been overwhelmingly The Northamptonshire Arc is the overall spatial positive. These include comments received concept to guide Northamptonshire County from private sector representatives Council’s future planning and investment and the business community who in the county and is a key policy and have welcomed this initiative and the advocacy document for Northamptonshire. Northamptonshire Arc concept. It can also help support planning and “The policy framework documents prepared Way forward Northamptonshire by the borough and district councils. At this stage this is a draft report. It Arc is an overall The emerging Arc spatial concept has already will now be subject to a formal public spatial concept provided the context for preparing the consultation. The outcome of this will to guide future Northamptonshire Sub-Regional Investment be reported back to the County Council’s planning and Plan (SRIP) for 2010/11-2012/13. This has Cabinet for further consideration. It will investment in recently been approved by the East Midlands also be offered to district and borough the county” Development Agency (emda) and has helped councils and the Joint Committees as a to secure continued Single Programme key concept to inform and complement funding for Northamptonshire in 2010/11. their statutory plans and other planning and policy framework documents. Initial reactions A considerable amount of stakeholder engagement has already taken place on the National Agenda/Influences Northamptonshire Arc. This has included presentations to the Boards of local public Statutory Infrastructure sector agencies, face-to-face meetings with Planning Northamptonshire Planning and business sector representatives, private Processes Arc Delivery (E.g. LDF, AAPs) sector investors, utility and infrastructure Delivering Economic Growth Figure 2 | How the Arc fits in with Planning process and delivery 6 | Northamptonshire