Sustainable Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) Progress and Next Steps December 2010

www.letyourselfgrow.com 3 Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Contents C Summary Contents SNEAP: Summary 3 International Swimming Pool

SNEAP: Building the Brand 41 Executive Summary 3 SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation 52 Developing ownership of the SNEAP 7 1.0 Introduction 8 SNEAP: Employment Land and Premises 64 2.0 Background 8

SNEAP: Education and Skills 79 3.0 Wider Strategic Context 9

SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration 87 4.0 Economic Changes since 2008 – Implications for SNEAP 11 5.0 Delivering the SNEAP 13 SNEAP: Transportation 104 1. Employment Land and Premises 15 2. Education and Skills 16 3. Enterprise and Innovation 17 4. Transportation 18 5. Town Centre Regeneration 19 6. Building the Brand 20

6.0 Next stages of development 21

Appendices 22 Appendix 1 - Background Analysis 23 Appendix 2 - Transformational Actions 25

Cover Image: iCon Centre for Sustainable Construction, Daventry www.letyourselfgrow.com 4 Executive Summary Executive Summary 5

‘Transformational actions and interventions are required over Becketts Park Marina, and above “business as usual” to meet the challenges of future growth.’ Executive Summary Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Progress and Next Steps – December 2010

Over the next 10 to 20 years Frameworks, a jobs trajectory for North desires, productivity (measured by Northamptonshire will and West Northamptonshire, and should Gross Value Added) would continue continue to grow, whether identify the interventions necessary and to fall behind UK and regional the frameworks required to deliver that averages. through natural changes to jobs growth. demographics or through • Far from improving as the county accelerated growth consistent Following a series of meetings led by a desires, productivity (measured by with a national growth Project Board of partners, along with GVA) would continue to fall behind strategy. The Sustainable workshops and other consultations UK and regional averages. with local partners across the public, Northamptonshire Economic private and voluntary sectors, the draft • Transformational actions and Action Plan considers the SNEAP was published in April 2008 and interventions are therefore required economic implications of confirmed that: over and above “business as usual” to such growth in the context meet these challenges. of a need for up to 100,000 • To achieve sustainable growth, the new jobs. The timescale for scale and nature of the jobs growth In summary SNEAP identified that the challenge meant Northamptonshire key imperatives for the county to achieve such a requirement will vary has to do all it has previously been long term sustainable economic growth depending on a variety of doing, but with greater coordination. will be the need for more and better jobs factors. with the concomitant challenge for these • If it did, on the most optimistic jobs to be generated in the right places, In July 2007, a number of organisations1 assumptions considered by so they can support truly sustainable The Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) is aimed at resolving underlying commissioned the development of SNEAP, the county would still communities by drawing on the local 2 structural weaknesses and equipping Northamptonshire with the infrastructure and capacity to a Sustainable Northamptonshire fall short of the required jobs targets, labour force. The consultation draft of Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) to deliver (as envisaged in 2007/08), by some the SNEAP (April 2008 version) can be enable it to compete economically in future years, whatever shape future growth may take. SNEAP the economic vision for the county, as set 19,000 jobs (20%). Such a shortfall found at: plays an important, action focused role for Northamptonshire by addressing these structural out (or being developed) in the planning would increase significantly if jobs weaknesses through identifying and implementing flagship or transformational actions above frameworks for North Northamptonshire were restricted as a result of www.northamptonshire observatory. and beyond ‘business as usual’ – building on all the aspects of the county’s growth, from a social, and West Northamptonshire. conscious policy decisions implicit in org.uk/publications/document. environmental and economic perspective. MKSM Sub-Regional Strategy to asp?documentid=1185 SNEAP is an action focussed economic divert growth from West document, and as such should not be Northamptonshire, in order to This report provides an update on the activity and development of the SNEAP since the seen as a Planning or Development counter deprivation and encourage publication of the draft consultation document in April 2008. The SNEAP provides an economic Control Document. The initial brief for the regeneration in North development vision for the county, it’s purpose and role being to set out a framework for delivering SNEAP stipulated that the study provide Northamptonshire, particularly in transformational actions to meet the opportunities and challenges of anticipated growth faced by evidence to inform the development Corby. the county. of statutory Local Development • Far from improving as the county

1 Partners include NEL, NNDC, WNDC - supported by emda, LSC & UoN - each with some specific responsibilities and collectively with overall responsibility for delivering economic development in Northamptonshire in support of the county’s local authorities. 2 Formerly ‘Strategic’, the name of the SNEAP has been amended to better reflect its aims and priorities as a plan for the implementation of transformational actions.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 6 Executive Summary Executive Summary 7

‘Key imperatives for the county ‘Six Themes will form the SNEAP Action Plan for future activity: will be the need for more and Employment Land and Premises; Education & Skills; Enterprise & better jobs, generated in the right Innovation; Town Centre Regeneration; Transportation; Building the places’ Brand.’

Achieving the county’s growth potential SNEAP is an action plan aimed at challenge for the county is to enable the The Project Board agreed that a paper be Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Spatial Context Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 will have significant benefits for resolving underlying structural growth of the economy and communities produced under each theme heading to national and regional economies - West Northants North Northants Northamptonshire Sustainable weaknesses and equipping through promoting inclusion and address the range of policy developments Core Strategy Core Strategy Core Strategy Communities Plan making Northamptonshire a £20 billion Northamptonshire with the sustainability through a combination of and strategy issues that will have economy by 2021, although given infrastructure and capacity to enable it policy development and project delivery. significant impacts on the delivery of the impact of the recent recession Local Economic to compete economically in future years, activity within those themes for the it is likely it may take longer than Assessment(s) whatever shape the future growth may Following an extensive consultation county. anticipated to achieve this. However, in take. SNEAP plays an important, action period, the Project Board began 2007/08, Northamptonshire appeared focussed role for Northamptonshire by developing a process for taking forward These six Theme Papers, published as part Sub-Regional Sub-Regional to be falling behind its targets for jobs Economic Strategy(s) Investment Plan(s) addressing these structural weaknesses the recommendations of the SNEAP. of the Summary Report, will form the growth as set out in both the Milton through identifying and implementing This process was based on a number SNEAP Action Plan for future activity. Keynes South Midlands (MKSM) Growth flagship actions ~ building on all the of Transformational Actions, proposed The papers identify priority issues and Agenda and SNEAP. Despite this, and aspects of the county’s growth, from in the original consultation draft, that potential transformational actions over despite adjusting patterns of housing SNEAP Mainstream Economic a social, environmental and economic would achieve the additional jobs and the short, medium and long-term, and Development Activity by growth under new planning regimes, Transformational projects under the perspective. productivity growth ambitions required. underline the importance of effective themes of: Stakeholders substantial planning consents are - Commercial Sites and Premises The potential actions were assessed and monitoring of performance and impact. Inc. business support, inward investment, already in place across the county. - Urban Renaissance enterprise, innovation, learning and skills, SNEAP relates closely to existing scored by the Board for their impact on Therefore there is clearly an even - Transportation economic renewal and inclusion, economic strategies such as the creating a significant step change in the The papers will continue to evolve - Enterprise and Innovation transport, land and development etc. greater challenge to achieve jobs and - Learning and Skills Sustainable Communities Strategy for county’s economic growth. over time with input from partners, productivity growth in the period up to - Building the Brand Northamptonshire3 (including the Local taking account of external factors as 2021 and beyond. Area Agreement) the Northamptonshire In so doing, a number of significant well as internal delivery, and providing Sub-Regional Economic Strategy (SRES)4 overlaps became apparent in the nature a Transformational Action Plan that Economic delivery by stakeholders: In the development of SNEAP, it was Activities, Initiatives and investment and the Northamptonshire Sub-Regional of the proposed projects, and based on ensures holistic interventions are recognised that most current activity Investment Plan (SRIP)5, the latter setting this the Board agreed the necessity of undertaken which will maximise jobs and delivered by partners is relatively out a programme of activity to address aligning actions within specific thematic productivity growth. Local incremental and merely maintains Authorities NEL HCA Emda specific sub-regional and local economic areas, each to be led by a member of the Northamptonshire’s growth at the same challenges, which has recently directed Board: To ensure SNEAP fulfils the ambitions Further & Higher Business level as other competitor locations, WNDC NNDC Education Community some focus to tackling some of the to deliver a strong and competitive while competitiveness overall actually impacts of the recession in the county. • Employment Land and Premises Northamptonshire economy, each theme starts to slip below the UK trend. Voluntary and Northamptonshire Business Link Other • Skills and Education paper considers wider external factors Community Sector Chamber The step-change in growth required The SNEAP is designed to help combat • Enterprise and Innovation (such as climate change, the economic under the Sustainable Communities arguably the most significant risk recession, the wider inclusion agenda) • Transportation Plan, means that partners must seek to Northamptonshire which is that that play increasingly important roles • Town Centre Regeneration to identify and implement innovative regardless of the target, jobs growth in the evolution of economic and wider approaches that address known Strategy and Local Economic will not keep pace with that of housing. • Building the Brand public policy. structural weaknesses and/or move Outputs and Outcomes SNEAP also recognises the wider Northamptonshire into a position of competitive advantage. Figure 1: Spatial context provided by a number of higher level strategies and plans

3 www.northamptonshireobservatory.org.uk/docs/docSCS_brochure_19jan09090121093550.pdf 4 www.northamptonshireobservatory.org.uk/docs/doc_NorthamptonshireSRES.pdf_160221110406.pdf 5 www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/Environ/planning/policy/default/Documents/PDF%20Documents/SRIP_brochure_Final_WEB.pdf

www.letyourselfgrow.com 8 Executive Summary Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) 9

‘With one of the top ten fastest growing UK economies of the last decade, Northamptonshire is already well established as a successful investment location compared with UK and regional averages for employment, skills and Gross Value Added’

Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Action Plan (SNEAP)

Developing ownership of the To ensure a balanced input from across from the title, and better reflects the 1.0 Introduction rapidly growing population (including trends. Specifically, by 2020 by managing SNEAP the county, the Public Service Board’s true nature of the SNEAP’s activity and around 100,000 new households for the growth carefully, Northamptonshire will Chief Executive Group nominated purpose focusing on delivery. This report provides an update on county between 2001 and 2021). The become the leading economy of the In order for these transformational representatives to actively represent the activity and development of the SRS provided a reference value of 81,000 East Midlands and a model example of actions to be delivered in a coherent, and promote the West and North Once the Action Plans are agreed, the Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic net new jobs by 2021 and highlighted a sustainable development. cohesive and cost-effective way, a Northamptonshire local authorities Project Board will be dissolved and Action Plan since the publication of need for a step change in the quality of co-ordinated multi-agency approach involvement in SNEAP. To reflect this replaced by a Delivery and Monitoring the draft consultation document in such jobs. Following significant political, The SNEAP highlights additional activities is proposed, with Northamptonshire objective, the SNEAP project board was Group (DMG) - a working party April 2008. Its purpose and role being structural and policy changes at local, and actions required to deliver the Enterprise Ltd providing the lead co- expanded to include local authority chief specifically targeted with delivering to set out a framework for delivering regional and national government level, county’s growth aspirations, above and ordination role. executives and their nominees the SNEAP Transformational Actions transformational actions to meet the ongoing status of the SRS is currently beyond the existing range of economic prioritised through the theme papers. the opportunities and challenges of uncertain. development activities. The SNEAP also Partners recognise and agree that This led to (a) Northampton The core tasks of the DMG will include: anticipated growth faced by the county. underlines the positive economic impact developing SNEAP effectively needs (a) Borough Council representing West driving delivery by partners, monitoring In July 2007, North Northamptonshire that achieving the growth potential of continued engagement with stakeholders Northamptonshire district and borough and evaluating the impact of these The SNEAP provides an economic Development Company (NNDC), Northamptonshire will have on local, and (b) the utilisation of the full range councils, (b) East Northamptonshire priority actions, and where appropriate development vision for the county, not to Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited regional and national economies. Analysis of powers partners have in delivering District Council representing North making recommendations for future be confused with the statutory planning (NEL) and West Northamptonshire shows that achieving planned growth economic development. Above all strong Northamptonshire district and borough activity. In addition, the theme papers documents and policies that it sits Development Corporation (WNDC) would result in £4,000 more Gross Value leadership, effective communication councils, and (c) Northamptonshire and wider objectives of the SNEAP will alongside. supported by East Midlands Development Added (GVA) per job and £2.4 billion and monitoring will be needed across all County Council representing the be regularly reviewed by the DMG, to Agency (emda), the Northamptonshire total GVA more than would be achieved sectors. county-wide overview. reflect on going economic changes Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and without any additional intervention. and the opportunities and challenges 2.0 Background the University of Northampton (UoN), This contributes to creating a £20 billion Recognising the importance of clarity that arise through the growth of commissioned consultants to develop a economy in Northamptonshire. As such, a two-stage approach has been The South Midlands of purpose in delivering the SNEAP Northamptonshire. Strategic Northamptonshire Economic adopted. In the first instance, the SNEAP (MKSM) growth area extended the Project Board has, as a result of Action Plan (SNEAP). The purpose of However, the SNEAP also highlights Project Board will continue to work as across parts of three regions, and consultation with partners, taken the this was to deliver the jobs growth that current resources to achieve such a team to oversee the development of comprised the largest growth allocation decision to rename the SNEAP as the requirements of the economic vision as transformational growth are inadequate. the thematic action plans ~ providing outside of the Thames Gateway Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic set out in the Sustainable Communities As such, and despite some success in expertise and input where necessary within the government’s Sustainable Action Plan. Such a change removes the Strategy for Northamptonshire to be attracting new resources to the county to ensure that these representative of Communities Plan. In turn, the county of potentially confusing ‘Strategic’ element the ‘Best Place in to Grow’. The through Growth Area Funds, national, Northamptonshire’s growth aspirations. Northamptonshire was apportioned the vision aims for Northamptonshire to regional and local agencies must largest growth allocation within MKSM. be a successful county where people work together to prioritise resources In light of this, an MKSM Sub-Regional and communities want to do well, and that support and drive the long-term Strategy (SRS)6 was published in March where they take up new ideas and sustainable growth of the county. 2005, which aspired to provide for a

6 www.mksm.org.uk/MKSMPublications/publications/reports/mksm/2231mksmSubRegionalStrategy.pdf

www.letyourselfgrow.com 10 Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) 11

Sheep Street, Carlsberg UK, Northampton Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Progress and Next Steps – December 2010

A significant amount of geographic been highlighted in strategies and developments that will directly Regional Spatial Strategies are being Communities Plan, and for economic in the North. Furthermore the focus here and socio-economic data was plans relevant to the county stimulate job creation and removed and patterns of growth may purposes was defined in the growth area is concentrated on identified priority analysed during the development productivity change as new strategic plans emerge strategy as part of the Greater South sectors, raising skills levels, promoting • For North Northamptonshire, to of the SNEAP, revealing a county in but substantial growth is already East. While it is also a statutory part the county for investment and ensuring achieve a step change in its ability to • New Business Starts – Activities which the foundations for economic create jobs in order to deliver the to support the creation of new embedded locally in council ambitions of the East Midlands Region, regional that the predicted jobs growth supports growth are reasonably strong but with 47,400 jobs planned businesses, both in total numbers and and planning documents, as well as structures and the emergence of new sustainable communities and the local clear weaknesses in its overall level of value as measured by GVA of business a growing population, and indeed Local Enterprise Partnerships over labour market. productivity and in the performance of The SNEAP is not intended to replace substantial levels of housing consents are different geographic areas will influence some districts which have been identified • Supporting Existing Businesses – already in place to be built out over the partner and funding relationships. The county is well placed to take existing strategies and priorities for Activities to promote employment for growth. the county, such as the Sub Regional coming decade. positive action to move away from productivity growth in existing Having had one of the top ten fastest a traditionally low-skill economy to Economic Strategy and Local Area business Analysis of Cambridge Econometrics’ Agreement, but rather focuses on the The Sustainable Communities Strategy growing UK economies of the last one more knowledge-based, by rising Local Economy Forecasting Model delivery of additional or improved actions • Supporting Inward Investment - for Northamptonshire aims to ensure decade, Northamptonshire is already to the challenges and opportunities 7 (LEFM) for West Northamptonshire that can support more jobs and better Activities to promote the county that the county will be an example of established as a successful investment that such ambitions for growth suggested prior to April 2008 that under jobs with the concomitant challenge as a location to attract more inward how to achieve growth in a sustainable location compared with UK and regional presents. Prioritisation of activities and favourable market conditions, the area for these to be generated in the right investment and through this manner, reducing the effect on the averages in terms of employment, investment will be essential in achieving should be able to achieve a jobs growth places, so they can draw on the local generate increased productivity and environment as much as possible, and skills and Gross Value Added (GVA). transformational change and delivery of level of 53,000 jobs between 2001 and labour force and support sustainable employment opportunities designing and creating high-quality new However, weaknesses are apparent in the the growth agenda. 2021. This forecast and the adopted communities. buildings which are very environmentally overall level of productivity and in the employment growth target of 47,400 friendly. In addition, all Northamptonshire performance of some areas. Northamptonshire has historically jobs in the North Northamptonshire Core The SNEAP report highlights a range communities should have good transport been covered by numerous economic Spatial Strategy compose the preferred 3.0 Wider Strategic and communication links, good local Faced with the challenge of significant development and spatial planning bodies, of possible interventions to achieve Context SNEAP economic scenario of 100,400 the additional jobs and productivity services, a strong local identity and a jobs growth in an economy that is amongst which are: jobs in Northamptonshire by 2021. More projections. The potential actions focus sense of community that will last, making facing up to the repercussions of detail on the outcome of this analysis can The Sub-Regional Economic Strategy Northamptonshire the best place in recession, it is clear that the delivery of on interventions to support: (SRES) and MKSM Sub-Regional Strategy • 1 Regional Assembly (for the be found in Appendix 1 of this report. England to grow. economic development is imperative in East Midlands); • Enabling Activities – Activities to (SRS) set out the aspiration to stimulate creating a strong county. The SNEAP is Based on these projections, SNEAP support the creation of the jobs growth in Northamptonshire. The However despite its strong current well positioned to support the future • 1 Regional Development Agency (for identifies two key imperatives for the conditions for long term growth, regeneration of North Northamptonshire performance, Northamptonshire prosperity of Northamptonshire, and the East Midlands); through stimulating skills, and strong market performance of the county to achieve long term sustainable faces a significant step-change in its highlights the need to achieve growth • 1 Inter-Regional Board (for MKSM West Northamptonshire economy - economic growth aspirations: productivity and overcoming future growth and economic needs. and productivity improvements across Sub-Region); structural difficulties to growth, such both pre 2001 and continuing to date Northamptonshire was designated the whole county with a particular • 1 County Council (for as adequate employment land – has had, and will continue to have, a one of only four growth areas under emphasis on productivity in the West • To achieve productivity improvements provision significant impact on this growth. Northamptonshire); across the whole county, focusing the previous government’s Sustainable and both productivity and job numbers on those key sectors which have • Enabling Assets – Support new physical interventions and

7 www.northamptonshireobservatory.org.uk/projects/projectdetail.asp?projectid=66

www.letyourselfgrow.com 12 Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) 13

‘Having had one of the ‘SNEAP will focus on top ten fastest growing UK transforming how we work to economies of the last decade, encourage greater growth in this Northamptonshire is already period of uncertainty’ established as a successful investment location .’

• 1 Urban Development Corporation To ensure that SNEAP fulfils its 4.0 Economic Changes The impact of the recession in A key lingering concern is the potential development, it will be imperative that

Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 (for West Northamptonshire); ambition for a strong and competitive Northamptonshire has been felt across impact of cuts to the public sector which these papers develop in future years to Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Northamptonshire economy, local since 2008 – Implications most sectors. Quarterly surveys by are yet to be fully realised. The effects take these changes into account. This • 1 Urban Regeneration Company (for North Northamptonshire); issues and needs must be considered for SNEAP the Chamber of Commerce reflect the here could be felt in the levels of funding, not only relates to budget reductions alongside wider strategic objectives difficulties that have been faced by the employment and services provided by the and restrictions, but uncertainty on areas • 2 Joint Planning Units / Joint and overarching policy considerations, The economic landscape has changed private sector, with many job losses and sector, and the potential impact of this such as housing targets and changing Committees (for West and North including the need to: significantly in the period since April redundancies recorded throughout 2008 on the local economy through the supply governance arrangements across regional Northamptonshire respectively); 2008 when the draft of the SNEAP was and 2009 coupled with falling demand chain and businesses reliant on public and local structures. SNEAP will need to published to the present (October 2010), for goods and services. The construction sector contracts could be great. respond and adapt to policy changes as • 1 Sub-Regional Economic • Fully embrace the need to raise with three main factors affecting the Development Agency / Sub-Regional awareness of climate change, sector has faced particular difficulties, they arise, focusing on the processes and future of economic growth: Strategic Partnership (NEL); reduce emissions and to mitigate with developments in housing and Similarly new and emerging activities that can be implemented for commercial property both showing international and national policy transforming how we work to encourage • 4 Borough Councils (Corby; ; against the impacts of climate • A Recession signs of slowing as access to finance drivers must be considered, and wider greater growth in this period of financial Northampton; Wellingborough); change. As part of this, there • Change of government and economic will need to be consideration of how has become more difficult through social, environmental, political and uncertainty. • 3 District Councils (Daventry; East and planning policies Transformational Actions can support traditional methods. This has had a technological developments. Northants; South Northants). the movement towards a low carbon • Anticipated shortage of public significant impact on the level of growth In terms of sector-specific priorities, economy; funding Northamptonshire has achieved in recent The Conservative–Liberal Democrat SNEAP should consider maximising the It would be ideal if all the above could times. Coalition Government, formed in May potential of low carbon technologies agree on a single set of Actions for the • Promote equitability, recognising The overarching effect of these factors 2010, will have a considerable impact to best position the county in terms whole county, the implementation of that all partners share objectives will be to slow down the rate of progress Unemployment levels have fluctuated on the way economic development is of economic growth but also wider which would comprise: and responsibilities to reduce and therefore extend the time period in across the county during the peak delivered at a regional and sub-regional sustainability. These build on the (a) the continuation of those things that inequalities through tackling which projected growth will be capable of the recession, with higher than level. propositions of the New Activism have been shown to work well in the past worklessness and promoting of achievement. Indeed it may impact on average JSA claimant rates in Corby and Proposals (Building Britain’s Future: New (viz. “Business as Usual”); and community cohesion and inclusion. the very baseline on which the SNEAP Northampton when compared with Alongside the changes to the way Industry New Jobs 20098) from central (b) a focus on a few new This remains a key priority for was developed, however most of the regional and national figures. Business in which economic development is government, which highlights that in transformational actions that would drive Northamptonshire, but activities proposed actions remain appropriate confidence is mixed, but slowly showing delivered, the impact of the proposed addition to supporting financial and growth and deliver the economic vision to support this may be better suited for the changes in circumstance, as it signs of improvement - evidence has financial cuts will have long-lasting banking stability, activities nationally will for the county. to be delivered outside the scope of builds on core activity which may be now started to suggest that although effects on Northamptonshire, not only in need to be focused on supporting new SNEAP due to the focus upon volume undermined through the impact of conditions still remain difficult in many the private sector but across public and green technologies, boosting research Recent changes to governance structures of jobs and productivity growth; external changes. areas, some of the impacts of the voluntary sectors alike. and development and higher skills, and will have a significant impact on the • Create the conditions for private recession appear to have eased down at maximising the effectiveness of public future of how economic development sector investment; and While the focus of the SNEAP remains the start of 2010. As part of the evolutionary process sector interventions through activities is delivered at a local level, the full on delivering activities to support more of SNEAP and changing political and like public sector procurement and • Include monitoring requirements to extent of which may not become and better jobs, all public policy must be policy factors affecting economic performance. ensure that Transformational apparent for some time. The SNEAP considerate of the changing economic Actions are supporting wider jobs, documents will play an active role in climate. Since 2008 there has been a productivity and sustainable informing the development of Local significant shift in the stability of the economic growth. Enterprise Partnerships, and the potential economy around the world as a result investment from the emerging Regional of the ‘global credit crisis’ resulting in Growth Fund. recession in the UK’s economy.

8 www.bis.gov.uk/files/file51023.pdf

www.letyourselfgrow.com 14 Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) 15

‘A multi-agency approach to delivery will ensure actions are coherent, cohesive and cost- effective’ Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Progress and Next Steps – December 2010

Corby Enterprise Centre In recognising these wider considerations encompasses the main areas tasked and how each of the identified actions the SNEAP must reflect the priorities of with huge levels of growth over the within the core themes contribute more and better jobs, and in the right coming years. The Northamptonshire towards achieving its objectives in the places, given its role with respect to the Arc is underpinned by three subsidiary short, medium and long-term. existing SRES and other key strategy complementary and linked themes documents. As such while the SNEAP will which together build to create a spatial The theme papers will act as proposition- prioritise actions and delivery and seek to framework. The three themes are based documents, highlighting the range attract additional resources, further work Transforming Connectivity; Climate of activities required and the impacts will be undertaken to ensure that wider Change & Biodiversity; and the Economy. these will have in delivering more and environmental changes, new policies and A series of strategic and iconic, primarily better jobs. Papers include the following challenges that have emerged in recent infrastructure, proposals will be identified key considerations: times are taken into account. within these three themes. 1) An overarching statement of key The development of the In order for these actions to be issues in Northamptonshire and the Northamptonshire Arc strategy by the delivered in a coherent, cohesive and wider economy affecting the theme; County Council further illustrates a cost-effective way, a co-ordinated new approach to driving change in the multi-agency approach is required, with 2) The key priorities to address, including county. The Arc proposal, currently in Northamptonshire Enterprise providing how these relate to other themes of draft, combines current priority issues, the lead co-ordination role for the the SNEAP and identification of gaps in The SNEAP sets out the vision for these of current activity delivered by examining key changes in the contextual such as housing, jobs, environment and county. current provision; transformational actions as being distinct partners is relatively incremental and landscape that will have an impact on transport, into a consolidated view of from “business as usual” activity – as merely maintains Northamptonshire’s the way in which funding, projects, activity that maximises the potential competitiveness and growth at the same services and resources are directed within place that is based on a county focused 5.0 Delivering the SNEAP 3) Emerging issues and priorities on economic, spatial and other activity. since SNEAP was published, including for benefits and impact on the wider level as other competitor locations. The the county, as well as within the wider The Arc is based on a broad corridor economic, social and political economic and social environment. step-change in growth required under economic development landscape. Based on the clear overlaps and nature the Sustainable Communities Plan, running approximately south-west (from of some of the Transformational Actions, considerations, as well as the wider Daventry and ) to north east impact on the county economy; and The very nature of SNEAP indicates that means that partners must seek to identify The following sets out the themes six key themes of cross-cutting activity the focus of these transformational and implement innovative approaches identified, champions to lead (Corby and Wellingborough/Rushden and emerged from the original consultation to Thrapston) with Northampton, as the 4) Potential Transformational Actions actions should be on delivering the that address known structural on development, underpinning document. It was agreed by the Project county’s vision for growth over the weaknesses and move Northamptonshire national and local strategies commercial focus, at the centre. Board that each theme be developed outlining a timetable for delivery, potential resources and partners, and the long-term, rather than as a short-term into a position of competitive advantage. and priorities to examine as on and led by a member of the Board, reaction to current issues such as the part of the transformational These areas comprise the largest producing a thematic paper which impact of these actions. urban areas and the focus of existing recession. Each theme is championed by a Board approach to achieving growth in should build upon previous discussions, representative, and each theme paper Northamptonshire: population. It is at the heart of economic papers and existing policies to identify activity and patterns of movement, and In the development of SNEAP, it has was tasked with providing not only key key strategic issues, the scale of challenge been recognised that a great proportion priorities for future investment, but with

2 www.northamptonshireobservatory.org.uk/docs/docSCS_brochure_19jan09090121093550.pdf

www.letyourselfgrow.com 16 Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) 17

‘Northamptonshire is capable of ‘A key objective for creating a county where workers Northamptonshire is to excel at have the right skills to respond “attracting and creating well paid to the employment needs of a jobs, particularly in knowledge dynamic economy.’ based businesses.’ Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Progress and Next Steps – December 2010

1. Employment Land Land Reviews; Local Transport Plans; and development opportunities. 2. Education and Skills significance of creating a step change strategy for the county. In order to Programmes of Development. These need Priorities for future investment include: in the way skills are delivered across the achieve this, a framework for the delivery and Premises Prof. Peter Bush to positively reflect Northamptonshire’s UK, leading to reforms of the 14-19 and of the Strategy has also been published, (University of Northampton) David Dickinson (Board Member - aspirations for growth in terms of - Delivering the Technology Realm Adult Learning sectors, and encouraging which forms the HLS Operational Plan West Northamptonshire Development numbers, but also in quality and strategic sites greater involvement of businesses in 2008-2011, and outlines a range of Northamptonshire has often been Corporation, Northamptonshire environmental sustainability. Through initiatives and programmes. targets and actions to ensure the vision - Building on the work of the Strategic perceived as a low skill economy, though Enterprise Ltd) these strategic plans, partners must put of the Higher Level Skills Strategy is Employment Land Assessment (SELA) one that historically has demonstrated in place enabling initiatives to encourage Northamptonshire’s Local Area achieved. to identify potential employment land high economic activity rates, and can in A key objective for Northamptonshire conditions that provide an adequate Agreement (LAA) Employment and Skills sites some areas appear to have neither the is to excel at attracting and creating supply of high quality sites, address Priority Action Plan aims to ensure that Priorities for future investment include: availability of a highly skilled workforce well paid jobs, particularly in knowledge market constraints and resolve issues - Developing a ladder of Northamptonshire is capable of creating nor much demand from existing based businesses. Reflected in this is the surrounding land allocations and the accommodation to support all a county where workers have the right - Improving pre 16 educational companies for highly skilled employees. need to provide the highest quality sites release of sites for other uses. business needs, from home working skills to respond to the employment attainment and premises for business to meet the to major investment sites needs of a dynamic economy. envisaged future jobs growth. In order to change this perception - Improving progression from early Furthermore a more positive approach - Increasing commercial investment and ensure sustainable growth, years to High Level Skills to employment land planning should promotion and engagement with The Plan recommends ensuring delivery From a commercial perspective, the Northamptonshire needs to develop the be adopted by partners in the county, business sectors of growth by preparing now for the - Ensuring a University presence for skills and education provision to better current Northamptonshire Strategic notably by operating in accordance eventual upturn in the economy – North Northamptonshire Employment Land Assessment (SELA) - Supporting development of non-B meet the changing needs of businesses with Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS4) using the current situation as an - Building Enterprise Education class uses, including the development and communities. This can be achieved identifies a shortfall, particularly in principles that promote adopting a opportunity to refocus on skills and of a county-wide working group, to through better promoting educational - Identifying future physical Northampton, of high quality, deliverable positive and constructive approach training development capabilities to employment sites. This shortfall arises consider the reasons for disparities in attainment and increasing and extending infrastructure needs for achieving towards applications, and considering take advantage of future opportunities. despite there being an apparent performance and possible solutions skills provision/take-up from schools to continued skills development proposals favourably unless there is Investment in infrastructure and higher education; however a significant general quantitative oversupply of all a good reason to suppose that the - Piloting new methods of training now will ensure a higher-skilled - Linking education provision to step change will be required to ensure employment land in some parts of the economic, social and environmental costs delivery including public private workforce is able to meet the challenge business demand, with a focus this drive is sustained. county. of development are likely to outweigh the partnerships, building on the Fit For of future growth effectively. on high quality skills and growth benefits. PPS4’s ‘town centres first’ focus Market programme (FFM), and sectors A range of national and regional A key requirement for increased jobs will encourage investment in key urban examining the potential of schemes The publication of the Higher Level strategies and organisations exist for - Capitalising on national skills and productivity growth is the need areas, ensuring they are attractive to such as Accelerated Development Skills Strategy (HLS) in 2009 marked a the promotion and delivery of skills programmes and initiatives – for stakeholders to work in partnership private sector investment and have the Zones (ADZs) and Tax Increment significant change in the way the lead development. The main focus for these is creating a county attractive to pilot to ensure clear spatial planning range and availability of high quality sites Financing (TIFs) educational providers collaborate to to ensure the optimum skills requirement programmes, and where these can be policies across Northamptonshire, to attract a wide range of uses, such as deliver further and higher education and to enable maximum impact on economic tested and developed comprising Core Spatial Strategies; Local leisure, housing, retail and employment, skills development in Northamptonshire. growth and productivity. The Leitch Development Frameworks; Employment through a range of regeneration and Together they aim to best meet the Review of Skills and the ‘Raising needs of individuals and employers Expectations’ reports both identify the by establishing a combined vision and

www.letyourselfgrow.com 18 Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) 19

‘Northamptonshire will develop a more productive ‘Significant opportunities exist in and innovative business base, supply chain and labour Northamptonshire to improve transport market linkages’ mechanisms and services’

3. Enterprise and did not fit the principles of this were enterprise across all sectors of society, 4. Transportation Investment in transport infrastructure - Ensuring that the national High required to either cease or fit in with the from individuals and communities to will need to be prioritised and targeted to Speed rail network will benefit Innovation Tony Ciaburro portfolio. education providers and businesses. best effect. Other improvements will also Northamptonshire. Dr. Frank Burdett (Northamptonshire County Council) be required to help manage the effective - Supporting the development of a new (University of Northampton, Board However, given the significant changes Priorities for future investment include: operation of the road network and Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Official figures show that iconic Station Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Member - Northamptonshire at national government level, it is unclear release economic growth. Enterprise Ltd) Northamptonshire’s roads have in partnership with West as yet what the future holds for the - Establishing a Northamptonshire experienced the highest levels of traffic Northamptonshire Development delivery and management of business Our town centres are core drivers of The Government’s vision is to ‘make the Innovation Steering Group to growth in England. Increasing population Corporation and working with support services, including the BSSP examine ways of stimulating density, if left unaddressed will increase the economy. Key projects to transform partners to promote the development UK the most enterprising economy in and Solutions for Business programmes. public transport services to create the world and the best place to start and innovative behaviour and business in levels of congestion and pollution to of a second line serving Corby railway Northamptonshire will have to work the county unsustainable and damaging levels. modern, convenient and safe facilities station. grow a business’. hard to continue to deliver advice and as a catalyst for modal shift to address - Developing activities to increase take - Supporting Northampton Borough support where it is needed and ensure The success of Northamptonshire network capacity and carbon emissions A range of government initiatives any changes to the structure of this do up of the existing array of will be vital. Improving capacity in town Council’s plans for the redevelopment have been introduced since 2009 in support services and funds to depends on local residents’ ability to of to deliver not suffer during the transition to a new access jobs, education and public services centre highway networks and travel an attempt to mitigate the effects of way of working. Northamptonshire businesses times will also be important. Good urban a modern, convenient and safe facility recession on Britain’s economy, The – identifying impact and providing using a sustainable transport system, for passengers as part of the wider and a transport offer which is attractive design that takes account of pedestrians Enterprise Strategy, jointly published Innovation was also identified as solutions for gaps in provision and cyclists, focusing on safety and investment in the . by BIS and HM Treasury, sets out the to and supports new and expanding one of the strategic priorities in the - Developing provision of an innovative convenience through extended, well - Piloting the Northamptonshire framework for driving forward enterprise businesses. Strategic road connections Regional Economic Strategy (RES) that high speed ICT infrastructure, lit footpaths and cycle lanes can help Arc Mass Transit (NAT) with bus policy over the next decade. It is designed are crucial to economic growth, as is an will help in achieving this ambition. building on the Digital Britain encourage active, carbon free travel rapid transit between Northampton to unlock the nation’s entrepreneurial effective set of options for those without Previously innovation was seen as drive for investment in innovation during short journeys and this will and Wellingborough with proposals talents; boost enterprise skills and access to a car and for sustainable solely technology-based but this has and associated technologies travel choice. Indeed, travel by car has a continue to be promoted. being brought forward for delivery by knowledge; help new and existing changed to be much broader to include - Supporting the county’s key growth significant impact on carbon emissions 2013. business get funding to start up and the development of new products, new The SNEAP builds on and complements sectors in innovation and business and low carbon solutions must be central - Securing recognition of the A34/ grow; and ease the burden of regulation services, new ways of running a business the Northamptonshire Arc and growth to transport improvements in the county. A45/A43 between the M4 and A14 – particularly on small firms that feel its or new ways of doing business. The newly provides the framework to achieve impacts most. - Encouraging Enterprise Centre as an infrastructure gap in published Regional Innovation Strategy 2 Significant opportunities exist to improve transformational connectivity development and associated the strategic transport network, emphasises the need to raise innovation transport mechanisms and services. A objectives for the county. In doing so The Business Support Simplification commercial space, linking to including securing investment levels through improved skills, stronger partnership approach to transforming we can identify potential for sustained Programme (BSSP) was an important initiatives such as Technology Realm which will bring national as well as R&D capabilities, encouraging more connectivity in the county is required, development of infrastructure and modal part of the previous Government’s wider and the I-Con to attract new local economic benefits. innovation in science and technology, working not only with others in the shift, which will in turn support economic goal to make the UK a good place to start investment and support business - Delivering a number of highways and driving forward the successful public sector but with business to tackle growth by delivering a low carbon and grow a business; making it easier for growth improvements particularly commercialisation of ideas. congestion and ensure public transport transport system, capable of meeting businesses to access the help and support focused on inter-urban routes - Developing working relationships systems meet the needs of both business needs now and in the future. they need to achieve this. and town centres including the Northamptonshire’s challenge now with agencies, such as the Technology customers and business end-users. This is to develop a more productive and Strategy Board, to assist in developing Priorities for future investment include: A43 Corby Link Road, London/ As part of the this process, the Solutions will be facilitated by new technology and innovative local business base, supply and delivering programmes – Ransome Road and Sandy Lane for Business portfolio was also developed, innovative initiatives. chain and labour market linkages maximising opportunities for joint - Delivering transport improvements in Northampton, town centre and not only did this affect support walking, cycling, accessibility and (including business support, graduate working, funding, pilot schemes, new Local road improvements will be which contribute towards local provided by emda but all support public realm improvements, and retention), and building on recent initiatives, knowledge partnerships essential to address existing deficits and aspirations to secure a low carbon provided with public funding. Therefore the East Northamptonshire Greenway drives to embed the importance of etc facilitate growth, particularly focused economy and economic growth any initiatives previously delivered that project. on inter-urban routes and town centres.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 20 Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) 21

‘Attractive, well designed town centres with ‘A strong and clear place brand will a range of shops and amenities including art, provide a vital role in developing cultural and historical offers and entertainment, Northamptonshire as a place to live, are engines for economic growth and provide a work, visit and invest’ focal point for business and social interaction.’

important audiences – those people and Priorities for future investment include: MKSM indicates that Corby, Kettering mean that despite development, the 6. Building the Brand Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 5. Town Centre organisations that influence or do the Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Nick Bolton and Wellingborough will grow in a relative gap has, and may continue to, investing. - From the growing list of substantive Regeneration (North Northants Development complementary way, while retaining their remain. transformational actions in the other David Kennedy Company) separate identities. In Corby the emphasis In addition, beyond the countywide theme papers, identifying and (Northampton Borough Council) will be on the regeneration of the town Town centre regeneration activities will brand ID and image(s), the key urban nurturing the emerging symbolic A strong and clear place brand performs centre. In Kettering and Wellingborough improve Northamptonshire’s urban areas, areas across Northamptonshire are actions such as Propel and iCon The way in which town centres and the a vital role in supporting key asset the emphasis will be on managing create attractive and vibrant locations brands in their own right that, to varying wider environment is planned, designed, retention (good employers, people etc), - Securing a transformational shift growth and job creation in a sustainable for business, visitors, and leisure services degrees, are managed and promoted for developed and maintained can have framing Inward Investment activity in approach to effective marketing way that realises the potential benefits alike. similar economic development, inward a significant impact on quality of life, and driving Business to Business across the county amongst and such a transformation can achieve. investment, and regeneration and growth as well as an area’s ability to attract Marketing. However, just as vital is the between stakeholders, lifting it Priorities for future investment include: purposes. new and sustained investment. For Beyond these main urban centres role place branding plays in engaging beyond the common misconception Northamptonshire’s town centres to and involving the community in the that marketing a place just means development should be focused at the - Incorporating high quality design It is clearly vital that while the distinctive achieve their potential and service the area’s improvement, its growth and most promoting a place sub-regional centre of Daventry, the and sustainable principles into strengths and nature of each place ever increasing demands of a rapidly crucially how change happens. With • Confirming a definitive marketing smaller towns of Desborough, Rothwell, regeneration activities in town should shine through for the appropriate growing population, it is essential to have ongoing support from NEL, the county’s group for the county supported Burton Latimer, Rushden, Higham Ferrers centres audiences, the collective image and an holistic approach and a county wide Let Yourself Grow (LYG) brand ID is by a clear sub-group structure to and Irthlingborough and the rural service - Maximising public partners’ use of identity must be coherent. To this partnership to deliver goals and promote starting now to be adopted more widely co-ordinate and drive marketing centres of Towcester, Oundle, Raunds, existing land holdings to support site end, it is suggested that stakeholders activities. by partners across the county and as activity Thrapston and . In the remainder assembly and the creation of high and partners across the county agree well as a strong set of brand guidelines of the county, the rural hinterlands, the quality mixed use developments and work to ensure the creation of a • Through this group ensuring an Attractive, well designed town centres that provide a framework for adoption of emphasis of development should be within town centres coherent nest of place marketing images agreed structure or nest of brands with a range of shops and amenities the brand ID, there are a range of brand focused on meeting local needs and the and identities that not only work for that collectively support and including art, cultural and historical - Investigating public private propositions and marketing activity that retention of basic services and facilities each place and its target audiences, promote a clear Northamptonshire offers and entertainment, are engines partnership delivery models, including are starting to build Northamptonshire’s for the community. but which together build the brand of brand for economic growth and provide a focal the potential for linkages with brand. Northamptonshire. The Building the - Securing stakeholder buy-in point for business and social interaction. Northampton will undergo major European JESSICA Funding and other Brand strategy is simply to: to the core values and execution Building on Northamptonshire’s existing development as part of its regeneration emerging sources However, at the same time, of the countywide and other town centre assets will be a key challenge vision, the intention being that it should - Developing a range of countywide Northamptonshire has a range of brand 1. Improve the product through two place brand identities and developing and opportunity in ensuring that attract commercial and retail markets initiatives to enhance town centres images in the minds of its stakeholders forms of action - substantive and this to positively transform target Northamptonshire is the best place in and close the gap on competitors such with the creation of a county- and target audiences - some brand symbolic audience awareness and perception England to grow. as Nottingham, Milton Keynes, and wide Northamptonshire Town Centre images that it wants and some that it of Northamptonshire . The retail sector, as well Managers Group. does not. While Northamptonshire has 2. Transform the approach to marketing The challenge for Northampton, as a as being an employer in its own right, is a brand ID toolkit (LYG) with which to the product - Creating a definitive 20 year - Focusing programmes of activity main the focus for development and an important amenity which is critical build, and many hidden gems of which marketing strategy for in each urban area of the county to regeneration, is to continue to grow to attracting (and retaining) a quality to be proud, in the context of economic The substantive and symbolic actions Northamptonshire and a framework bring about regeneration, growth and in stature as an important regional workforce within Northamptonshire, development, inward investment, flow from the other SNEAP themes and for partnership (public and private) development. centre with a strong emphasis on the which is further supported by the regeneration and growth, by most are defined in the main Building the funding of its delivery regeneration of the town centre and University of Northampton in achieving objective assessments the county Brand paper. Transforming the approach major enhancement of the public formal university status. However, plans is still working to establish a strong to marketing Northamptonshire. transport network. for retail expansion in competing centres brand image in the minds of its most

www.letyourselfgrow.com 22 Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) 23

‘By 2020, the SNEAP will have created the conditions whereby the vision for Northamptonshire has come to fruition: Northamptonshire will be a successful county where people and communities want to do well, where they take up new ideas and trends. Through the careful management of growth, Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Northamptonshire will have become the leading Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 economy of the East Midlands and a model example of sustainable development.’

6.0 Next stages of challenging and changing current of the DMG will include working to delivery mechanisms and capacity. highlight potential funding sources and development maximising alignment with existing In line with the organic nature of the partner resources to achieve agreed The SNEAP theme papers form the SNEAP, and the evolving political, priorities. basis for activity to be undertaken in economic, social and environmental the coming years, with actions broadly St Johns, Northampton climate, theme papers and specific Consulting with partners, to ensure identified within short (1-2 years), issue papers including Governance effective buy-in from stakeholders medium (2-5 years) and long-term and additional update papers will be on activities, and promoting SNEAP (5 years+) timescales. The process of posted in the first instance on the priority action themes to local, regional developing these projects and the SNEAP Northamptonshire Observatory website. and national partners will be a primary Appendices will be an iterative one, with the theme role for the Delivery and Monitoring papers forming the starting blocks for In order to ensure the effective delivery Group. This will ensure that key SNEAP new projects and ideas as they emerge of the SNEAP priorities, the Project priorities are recognised within new and evolve. NEL will continue to provide Appendices 22 Board will be dissolved and replaced by policy, strategy and activity. As such a executive support to delivering the a Delivery and Monitoring Group (DMG). communications strategy for the SNEAP Appendix 1 - Background Analysis 23 SNEAP, but in many cases it will be The core remit of the DMG will be to will be devised to ensure that partners Appendix 2 - Transformational Actions 25 partners’ projects that form the basis of oversee delivery of the first generation of are engaged in future developments and Transformational Actions that will bring actions resulting from the Theme Papers, activities. about jobs and productivity growth. and provide a mechanism for monitoring as well as an evaluation role, making The key vision for the SNEAP is Developing the theme papers over time recommendations for future activity that by 2020, the conditions will required significant contributions from where appropriate. have created whereby the vision partners and external sources, both in for Northamptonshire has come to terms of time and financial resources, The DMG will work with key partners fruition: Northamptonshire will be a but is has provided the opportunity to establish an approach to this successful county where people and to consider new areas of activity that monitoring progress, building on the communities want to do well, where have emerged. The papers build upon statistical analysis function of the they take up new ideas and trends. existing project development processes Northamptonshire Observatory, and Through the careful management of and frameworks already in place, and the econometric data and analysis growth, Northamptonshire will have highlight the distinct need for a wide that is being used to develop the become the leading economy of the range of transformational changes Northamptonshire Local Economic East Midlands and a model example that deliver jobs growth, as well as Assessment. Further to this, the remit of sustainable development.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 24 Appendix 1 Appendix 1 25

Appendix 1- Background Analysis North Northamptonshire High Added Value Low Added Value

The analysis undertaken by SQW during the development of the original SNEAP consultation study included a comprehensive High Relative (7 Wood & Paper) 15 Metal Goods examination of baseline data for the county and its constituent parts. Growth 8 Printing & Publishing (18 Electrical Engineering & Instruments) (11 Chemicals) (22 Electricity) (12 Rubber & Plastics) 27 Retailing A key part of this analysis shows that achieving productivity and job number growth in the county is a considerable challenge. (13 Non-Metallic Mineral Products) (32 Communications) Recent performance since 2001 (Table 1) in employment growth in Northamptonshire has demonstrated discrepancies when (20 Other Transport Equipment) 35 Computing Services comparing Annual Business Inquiry (ABI) data with the SNEAP preferred economic scenario and MKSM growth projections:

Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 23 Gas Supply 37 Other Business Services Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 26 Distribution 38 Public Administration & Defence 29 Land Transport etc 39 Education All Northamptonshire North Northamptonshire West Northamptonshire 40 Health & Social Work 41 Miscellaneous Services SNEAP Forecast 2001/2021 100,400 47,400 53,000 Low Relative (5 Food Drink & Tobacco) (1 Agriculture etc) MKSM Forecast 2001/2021 84,600 47,400 37,200 Growth (6 Textiles Clothing & Leather) (17 Electronics) LEFM Forecast 2001/2021 81,500 28,500 53,000 (14 Basic Metals) (19 Motor Vehicles) (16 Mechanical Engineering) (28 Hotels & Catering) SNEAP Annual Rate 5,020 2,370 2,650 21 Manufacturing nes 33 Banking & Finance MKSM Annual Rate 4,230 2,370 1,860 25 Construction (34 Insurance) 36 Professional Services ABI Growth 01/07 22,590 6,605 16,180 10 ABI Annual Rate 3,765 1,101 2,697 Table 2: Cambridge Econometrics’ sector forecast for North Northamptonshire % MKSM Complete 26.70 13.93 43.49 Adjusted MKSM Rate 4,770 3,138 1,617 West Northamptonshire % SNEAP Complete 22.50 13.93 30.53 High Added Value Low Added Value Adjusted SNEAP rate 5,985 3,138 2,832 High Relative (6 Textiles, Clothing & Leather) 7 Wood & Paper 9 Table 1: Jobs forecast and performance Growth (12 Rubber & Plastics) 8 Printing & Publishing (15 Metal Goods) (13 Non-Metallic Mineral Products) (20 Other Transport Equipment) Overall, assuming that job growth is consistent over the period, Northamptonshire appears to be behind its targets as set out (18 Electrical Engineering & Instruments) 29 Land Transport etc 22 Electricity in both the MKSM and SNEAP. This is particularly true for North Northamptonshire. While there are significantly different 32 Communications 27 Retailing performances between local authorities, it is clear that current activities are not sufficient to achieve long term job and productivity 35 Computing Services 36 Professional Services growth. This further heightens the need for new targeted actions and resources to be delivered in the county. The situation is likely 37 Other Business Services 38 Public Administration & Defence to become even more critical in the current economic climate however, where GDP growth has slowed as a result of recession 41 Miscellaneous Services 39 Education and the county has witnessed high levels of job losses, with the subsequent rate of growth being much slower than previously 40 Health & Social Work anticipated and planned for by partners. Low Relative (5 Food Drink & Tobacco) (1 Agriculture etc) In addition, SQW identified the growth rates of a range of employment sectors across the county. Table 2 indicates the pattern of Growth (11 Chemicals nes) 4 Other Mining growth in North Northamptonshire, Table 3 indicates this for the North. (19 Motor Vehicles) (14 Basic Metals) 21 Manufacturing nes (16 Mechanical Engineering) (17 Electronics) In relation to Table 2 there are some significant implications for the distribution and printing & publishing sectors in terms of 25 Construction 26 Distribution (28 Hotels & Catering) growth, however there are also several concerns – in particular some high value added sectors demonstrate poor prospective levels (33 Banking & Finance) 30 Water Transport of growth, such as professional services. (34 Insurance)

Likewise Table 3 has several robust high value sectors projecting high growth, including many knowledge-based industries. Table3: Cambridge Econometrics’ sector forecast for West Northamptonshire11

Notes: Sectors which are expected to decline in absolute terms are in parentheses. Sectos which accounted for more than 2,000 jobs at the start of 2001 are shown in bold. 9 www.northamptonshireobservatory.org.uk/publications/document.asp?documentid=1185 10 www.northamptonshireobservatory.org.uk/publications/document.asp?documentid=1185 11 www.northamptonshireobservatory.org.uk/publications/document.asp?documentid=1185

www.letyourselfgrow.com 26 Appendix 2 Appendix 2 27 Appendix 2 - Transformational Actions Transformational Actions Priorities for Investment identified through the theme papers are summarised below:

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Employment Land and Premises E1 Serviced Sites

E1a Identification & Prioritisation of Employment Employment Land NEL / WNDC / 1-2 yr In progress through various sites. & Premises NNDC / LAs report and assessment papers. Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 E1b Formation of county-wide Employment Land Employment Land NEL 1-2 yr Build on work of BLAP working group. & Premises working group to develop Education & Skills relations and ideas relating ES1 Take forward initial recommendations of Education NEL 1-2 yr In progress. to land. the ESB Business Case, including examining & Skills the evidence base and building relationships E1c Development of Non B-Space study Employment Land NEL 2-3 yr Potential to be developed in with the business community. and policy/ strategy document. & Premises future years. ES2 Build on the virtual Employment and Skills Education NEL 1-2 yr Action will be result of E2 Technology Realm Board, and develop framework for activity, & Skills successful ESB Business Case based on a clear vision for the county. - in progress. E2a Deliver review of TR concept, and develop Employment Land NEL 1-2 yr Initial review underway, short- and medium-term actions. & Premises requires detailed implementation strategy ES3 Facilitate the development of a working Education NEL / NCC / UON / 1-2 yr Potential development in once agreed. group to specifically examine new & Skills Colleges future year. opportunities for the delivery of HE / FE in E3 Fit for Market the county.

E3a Carry out review of FFM and its impact to Employment Land NEL 1 yr Underway. Draft review ES4 Build on the emerging Enterprise Capabilities Education & Skills NEL / Enterprise 1-2 yr Action Plan currently in date on Northamptonshire economy. & Premises complete. Action Plan, and work with the proposed EC / E&I Capabilities Forum consultation period. Forum to implement activity, and work with E3b Build sustainability into FFM through income Employment Land NEL 1-3 yr Underway. Some new partners across public, private and voluntary generation and reinvestment. & Premises methods examined in Review, sectors to embed and monitor progress. more detailed analysis required. ES5 Work with AimHigher to better understand, Education NEL / UON / 1-2 yr Planned activity within review and build on the vocational skills & Skills Colleges timescale. E3c Utilise BLAP as method for prioritising Employment Land NEL 1 yr In progress. Final report offer in the county. brownfield sites. & Premises due in 2010.

E3d Examine new funding mechanisms – TIF, CIL, Employment Land NEL / NCC 1-2 yr In progress. ES6 Ensure HLS maintains momentum through Education UON / Colleges 1-2 yr Initial stages, will require JESSICA, and develop pilot schemes where & Premises / TCR engaging with partners and driving & Skills / NEL additional support. appropriate. / E&I implementation of Operational Plan, following a review of progress to date. E4 Stimulating Demand ES7 Graduate Opportunities - evaluate the range Education UON / NEL / emda 1-2 yr Potential activity to build on E4a Increased investment promotion activities, Employment Land NEL / NNDC / 1-2 yr Ongoing. of activity in the county and region. Examine & Skills current work. including examination of potential public/ & Premises WNDC / NCC ways this can be developed, particularly private initiatives. focusing on sector specific training and employment. E4b Provide focused promotion campaign for Employment Land NEL / NCC / 1-2 yr Potential to be developed in small business requirements. & Premises WNDC / NCC / LAs future years. ES8 The Learning Quarter - examine the potential Education & Skills UON / NCC / 5+ yr Potential activity for future for bridging the physical aspects of training / Enterprise & Colleges / NEL years. E4c Develop better offer on business estates, Employment Land NEL /LAs 1-3 yr Potential to build on success and education with alternative uses - ie Innovation currently in state of decline, through & Premises of the Estates Groups activity community, retail, business - within a town regeneration packages to provide high - broaden appeal and remit. centre location such as Northampton. quality units for all sizes and uses.

E4d Develop programmes to encourage skills Employment Land NEL / NCC / UON 1-5 yr Potential to be developed in development in declining industries. & Premises future years.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 28 Appendix 2 Appendix 2 29

Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Enterprise & Innovation Enterprise & Innovation (continued)

EI1 Assess the business support provision in the Enterprise and NEL / CC / LAs 1-2 yr Ongoing. EI9 iNet - wider marketing and awareness Enterprise and NEL / emda / 1-2 yr Build on regional marketing county and work with partners to ensure a Innovation raising activity with a view to increasing Innovation offer. Provide more coherent offer is available identifying gaps demand for innovation support in Northamptonshire-focused and targeting areas of need. sustainable construction. activity.

Technology and Innovation Centres Enterprise and NEL / UON 1-2 yr Ongoing. EI2 Partners work to set up a Northamptonshire Enterprise and NEL / UON 1-2 yr Early stages - Establishing a EI10 Innovation Steering Group to take forward Innovation case for development and a - examine report and implications / Innovation this agenda and provide a framework for suitable model. Will need to opportunities for Northamptonshire. how the actions arising from RIS2 can be be in operation to feed into best implemented for the benefit of the Regional framework. EI11 Stimulate sector development activities in Enterprise and NEL 1+ yr Build on investment county. key sectors, implement strategy proposals. Innovation promotion activity.

EI3 Foresighted County – Strengthen Enterprise and NEL / UON 1-2 yr Early stages – will be EI12 Expand cluster development in county Enterprise and NEL / UON 3+ yr Build on investment relationships with TSB / Growth Hubs to Innovation impacted by national and through supply-chain development, market Innovation promotion activity. develop understanding of future changes in local policy drivers. intelligence, incubator services, attraction markets and technologies. of further investment, training, joint R&D projects, and marketing of the sector. EI4 Engage in new pilots and initiatives to Enterprise and NEL / UON / LAs / 1+ yr Ongoing - will need to liaise promote innovation in business and service Innovation emda with emda on regional EI13 Align the support for business, development Enterprise and NEL 1-3 yr Build on investment delivery. priorities. of key existing sectors and promotion of the Innovation promotion activity and county to new investors. business support offer. EI5 Examine the final Propel Feasibility Enterprise and UON / NEL 1-2 yr Draft report complete. Issues Report and establish a framework to Innovation and options being discussed EI14 Northampton Learning Quarter’, providing Enterprise and UON / NCC / 5+ yr Potential activity for future take forward proposed activity, including by steering group. a hub of skills and learning activity in an Innovation / L&S Colleges / NEL years. examining alternative funding sources and innovative environment making the town implementation. somewhere that people want to live, work and study. EI6 Utilise the new Northamptonshire Enterprise and ISG / NEL / UON 1-2 yr Link with Propel project. Will Innovation Steering Group to examine new Innovation need to look at regional / EI15 Implement actions arising from Enterprise Enterprise and NEL / ECF 1-3 yr Work with steering group to initiatives under the Digital Britain and ICT national policy, develop links Capabilities Action Plan. Innovation / L&S implement actions arising banner. with Sector skills councils / from final Plan. TSB etc. EI16 Develop series of Northamptonshire led Enterprise and NEL 1-3 yr Ongoing. EI7 Partners to build on the regional Strategic Enterprise and ISG / NEL / UON 2+ yr Ongoing. Innovation events. Innovation Framework to inform the development of Innovation Enterprise Centres in the county, and look at EI17 Develop a framework for developing Enterprise and NEL / LAs 1-5 yr Initial stages, will be alternative sources of funding to implement. and implementing BIDs and looking at Innovation / TCR ongoing. alternative models to ensure suitable fit to EI8 Examine the potential of the European Enterprise and NEL / WNDC / 1-3 yr Ongoing. business needs. Urban Development Fund (JESSICA) to secure Innovation / NNDC / LAs / UON funding for innovation in our town centres. Employment Land / TCR

www.letyourselfgrow.com 30 Appendix 2 Appendix 2 31

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Transportation Transportation (continued)

T1 Work with WNDC, NBC and Transportation NCC / WNDC / 2014+ GRIP Stage 4 – detailed T10 Improvements to Plough Junction and its Transportation WNDC / NCC / NBC Technical work underway. on developing proposals for Castle Station, NBC / Network design stage. gyratory. seek out best methods of implementation Rail and delivery. Development to include shops, T11 Changes to the character of key routes Transportation NBC / WNDC / NCC Technical work underway. restaurants and the new station building on including Horsemarket and Victoria Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Black Lion Hill. Promenade/St Peter’s Way. Progress and Next Steps – December 2010

T2 Support the opportunities provided by the Transportation NCC Beyond 2021 Ongoing. HS2 proposal to secure better inter-city T12 Northwest bypass/Northampton orbital Transportation NCC / WNDC / NBC Long terms aspiration, connections for Northamptonshire whilst ring road. dependent on other seeking to secure a route which minimises developments and study. the potential adverse affect on local amenity, landscape, and the environment. T13 Towcester A5 Bypass. Transportation Persimmon / Bloor Delivery will be dependent Homes WNDC / on urban extension. T3 Secure a minimum of two fast services (with Transportation NCC / DfT / Beyond 2014 Ongoing. NCC / SNC / HA journey times of less than 40 minutes) per Network Rail / hour from Northamptonshire to London Train Operators T14 Daventry – Northampton road improvements Transportation NCC / WNDC / Study underway, delivery is on both the West Coast and Midland Main (inc Flore / Weedon bypass). DDC long term aspiration. Lines. T15 Utilise the potential provided by new Transportation NCC Highways 2010 - Approvals and T4 Optimise the potential benefits provided Transportation NCC / BCW / KBC 2010 - Ongoing. technologies to secure better traffic Agency and District implementation from by the connections to Eurostar services, CBC / NBC management, reliability and resilience on the / Borough Councils 2010/11. particularly as a catalyst for new business existing strategic and local road networks in investment. Northamptonshire, particularly town centres and inter-urban routes. T5 Examine the potential of restoring more Transportation NCC / BCW / KBC 2012+ IImproved services for frequent services to stations such as / Network Rail Wellingborough and T16 Examine linkages of communications Transportation NCC / UON / NEL From 2010 Ongoing. Kettering and Wellingborough. / East Midlands Kettering. technology with connectivity, and the / Innovation & Trains impact on employment opportunities and Enterprise investment. T6 Secure provision of a second line serving Transportation Network Rail / 2016+ Improved services North of T17 • A43 Corby Link Road*; Transportation NCC Highways 2010 - Approvals and Corby station and its service to London and East Midland Corby review late 2010. • Public realm improvements in Agency and implementation from the improvement of the service to the north. Trains / NCC / CBC Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough District/ Borough 2010/11. and Northampton; Councils T7 Support the construction of a new town Transportation NCC / NBC / Legal 2014 Technical work underway. • A509 Isham By-pass*; centre bus interchange to complement the & General • A509 Isham to Wellingborough Grosvenor Centre redevelopment project and Improvement*; replace the currently dilapidated Greyfriars. • Corridor Bus Priority*; • Northampton Modal Shift Scheme; T8 As part of the aim to make Northampton Transportation NBC / WNDC / Ongoing Technical work underway. • Northampton to Wellingborough BRT Town a walkable town/city, priority NCC (NAT); pedestrian and cycling routes have been • Sandy Lane Improvement; developed. • Town centre access improvements in Wellingborough and Kettering; T9 Promote the A34/A43/A45 between the Transportation NCC / Highways 2016 Ongoing - HA currently • East Northants Greenway; M4 and A14 as an ‘infrastructure gap’ in Agency completing A43/45 studies. • Connect2 cycling improvements in the strategic national network and secure Northampton; Government investment for improvement. • Walking and cycling improvements in Kettering and Wellingborough; • Westcott Way Improvements, Corby; and • London Road/Ransome Road

www.letyourselfgrow.com 32 Appendix 2 Appendix 2 33 Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Town Centre Regeneration - County wide Town Centre Regeneration - Town Centre Managers Forum

T1 Promote strong partnership working Town Centre All Ongoing Ongoing. T7 County wide retail promotion activities, Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of across all sectors and partners for genuine Regeneration linked with the County Let Yourself Grow Regeneration Group. commitment to the sustainable development brand. of Northamptonshire. T8 Complementary events programmes. Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of T2 Investigate public private partnership Town Centre NEL / NNDC / 1-2 yr In progress. Regeneration Group. delivery models, such as Accelerated Regeneration WNDC / NCC Development Zones, Community / Employment T9 Training programmes in partnership with the Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of Infrastructure Levy etc. Examine potential for Land & Premises Association of Town Centre Managers and Regeneration Group. European Funding sources, such as JESSICA / Enterprise & retail training providers. and others. Innovation T10 Work with agencies such as Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of T3 Maximise public sector employment within Town Centre LA’s / NCC 5+ yr Initital stages for some Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited Regeneration Group. the town centres and capitalise on the Regeneration elements, will require to attract wider commercial, residential, potential increase in footfall in these areas. further work and support in cultural, tourism and leisure activities to the future years. towns.

T4 Public partners maximising the use of Town Centre LA’s / NCC 5+ yr Initital stages for some T11 Developing and sharing best practice on Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of existing land holdings to support site Regeneration elements, will require retail and evening economy crime initiatives Regeneration Group. assembly and the creation of high quality further work and support in and supporting the reduction of business mixed use developments within town future years. crime in the centres to ensure that town centres. centres are safe, clean and welcoming to all. T5 Further support the development of BIDs in Town Centre LA’s 1-3 yr Ongoing. our town centre sites. Regeneration T12 Work to maximise the take up of national Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of and regional funding initiatives. Regeneration Group.

T6 Northamptonshire must position itself to Town Centre NCC / UON / NEL / 5+ yr Initital stages for some meet and exceed the challenges of Digital Regeneration NNDC / WNDC elements, will require T13 Delivering an effective monitoring system Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of Britain and to maximise the potential further work and support in for the viability of the county’s town centres Regeneration Group. benefits arising. future years. and the impacts of proposed regeneration activities. T7 Champion pilot schemes and bring together Town Centre All 5+ yr Potential for future years, Working with local partners to maximise Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of a range of partners to maximise potential Regeneration however some immediate T14 community use or creative initiatives to Regeneration Group. impact, across sectors such as high quality opportunities for pilots make use of vacant shops. design, construction, resource efficiency etc, expected to develop. within town centres. T15 Support the development of Local Asset Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of T8 Develop a range of countywide initiatives to Town Centre NEL / LAs 1-2 yr Ongoing. groups where appropriate in line with the Regeneration Group. enhance town centres with the creation of a Regeneration need to support new methods of delivery. county-wide Northamptonshire Town Centre Managers Group.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 34 Appendix 2 Appendix 2 35

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Town Centre Regeneration - Northampton

N1 The demolition of the bus station in Town Centre NBC start 2013 Priority project being Northampton to allow expansion of the Regeneration pursued. shopping offer.

N2 Development of the St John/Angel Street Town Centre NBC / NCC start 2011 Development agreement Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 area for key office space. Regeneration Progress and Next Steps – December 2010

N3 Development of the Waterside in Town Centre Waterside WNDC Start 2014 Land assembly on going. Northampton and Becket Park as a green link Regeneration Beckets NBC / EA into Northampton.

N4 Expand retail offer in town centre, to include Town Centre NBC / NCC / NEL 1-5yr + Ongoing. Market Square, Kettering emphasis on niche retail markets. Regeneration

N5 Develop market square as the Town Centre NBC 2010 Nearing completion. centre-piece of the ‘new city’. Regeneration

N6 Improve public realm, in particular Abington Town Centre NBC / NCC 2012 + Key work being pursued. Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Street. Regeneration

N7 Protect green infrastructure, parks and green Town Centre NBC 1-5 yr + Beckets Park Marina Town Centre Regeneration - Kettering spaces, and add similar spaces to the market Regeneration complete 2011 other park K1 Develop Market Place. Town Centre KBC Complete Public realm has been developed and city as it expands. initiatives ongoing. Regeneration completed. Restaurant offer to be complete March 2011. N8 Promote the creative sectors of the town to Town Centre NBC / WNDC 2012 + Some work undertaken, retain students, add character and provide Regeneration however will need further K2 Market Street, Sheep Street. Town Centre KBC 8-12 months Public realm works begin in June 2010 creativity to town’s growth. analysis and partnership Regeneration with work coming in phases towards a support, and demonstrate full completion in March 2011. value in addition to office / retail / leisure uses. Funding K3 Northampton Road junction. Town Centre KBC 12 months Public information packet to publish being sought. Regeneration this summer aim to start construction in November, and expected to last 5-6 N9 Promote availability of land for key industry Town Centre All 1-5 yr + On going. Some work months. sectors, eg consultancy, headquarters, Regeneration undertaken, however further knowledge based industries, tech realm. analysis required. Tie with K4 Bakehouse Hill, Station Plaza, High Street Town Centre KBC 3-5 years Public realm improvements ongoing, development of Central Area and Gold Street. Regeneration with some work on preliminary Action Plan etc. procurement and partnership agreement stages underway. N10 Develop the leisure offer. Town Centre All 1-5 yr + On going. Regeneration K5 Station Road. Town Centre KBC 3-5 years Currently discussing JV opportunities with Regeneration Network Rail along with pursuing funding N11 Develop a branding & marketing strategy. Town Centre NEL / NBC / NCC / 1-2 yr + Some work being done at streams and sources. A large pre-let Regeneration WNDC county level, need to filter to agreement could kick-start the scheme. LA areas. K6 Silver Street, Horsemarket. Town Centre KBC 2-3 years Ongoing dialogue with local landowner / N12 Promote good carbon management. Town Centre All 1-2 yr + On going. Regeneration developer. Has planning consent for a Regeneration 55 bed hotel plus amenities. Currently seeking to secure funding to demolish N13 Be receptive to initiatives and ideas Town Centre All 1-2 yr + On going. existing derelict buildings and prep site that promote Northampton’s expanding Regeneration for a development. economy.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 36 Appendix 2 Appendix 2 37

Headway Business Park, Corby

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Town Centre Regeneration - Wellingborough Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 W1 Redevelop market square area. Town Centre BCW 2010- 2017 Initial stages of project, project Regeneration manager appointed. Currently procuring consultant team.

W2 Seek major increase in retail provision. Town Centre BCW 2010 - Ongoing. Regeneration

W3 Promote mixed-use development, combining Town Centre BCW / Private 2010 - Currently working towards retail, leisure, cultural and commercial Regeneration Developer procurment of developer for opportunities. High St site which will start this type of development. Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status

W4 Conserve and enhance centre’s heritage. Town Centre BCW / Heritage 2010 - 2012 Working towards 2nd round Town Centre Regeneration - Corby Regeneration Lottery of Heritage Lottery Funding to achieve £1.4m of funding C1 Development of ‘Corby Hub’ as focus for Town Centre CBC Complete Nearing completion. to progress Heritage and community and public services. Regeneration Autumn 2010 Shop Front initiatives. C2 Redevelopment of retail centre – quality Town Centre CBC / Land Ongoing Discussions ongoing. W5 Enhance town centre living through new Town Centre BCW / Private 2010 - Ongoing. shopping and leisure environments within Regeneration Securities housing opportunities. Regeneration Developer an attractive urban setting.

W6 Encourage best practice in architecture, Town Centre BCW / Private 2010 - Public Realm strategy, urban design and public spaces, with focus Regeneration Developer Conservation Area Strategy C3 Establishment of a Healthy Living Centre. Town Centre Northants Complete Strategic Outline Case being on energy efficient buildings. approved in 2009 which Regeneration NHS December prepared. will guide standards of 2012 regeneration and building within the borough. C4 Reopening of Railway Station. Town Centre CBC / NNDC Completed Fully operational. Regeneration April 2009 W7 Develop skills and educational attainment Town Centre BCW / Tresham 2010 - Following funding difficulties, TBD Preliminary planning. through improvements to tertiary education. Regeneration Tresham are reviewing their C5 Redevelopment of Tresham College. Town Centre CBC / HCA options and currently looking Regeneration at options to provide higher education in smaller units around the town. W8 Strengthen green open space network and Town Centre BCW 2010 - Public Realm Strategy and Town Centre Regeneration - East Northamptonshire Swanspool Brook, focus on biodiversity and Regeneration Open Space Strategy look to recreational value. improve these areas over the EN1 Development of Masterplan proposals. Town Centre ENC 1-2 yr Rushden masterplan funded via FFM. next 10 years. Regeneration

W9 Ensure town centre is convenient, sage and Town Centre BCW / NCC / 2010 - 2020 Public Realm projects and EN2 Development of Leisure Centre and Town Centre ENC 2-3 yr Planning permission granted, to be accessible. Regeneration MGWSP highway improvements surrounding area. Regeneration reviewed by GOEM. begun with Sheep St/Silver St scheme. EN3 Regeneration Strategy. Town Centre ENC 10 yr Being developed by ENC with support W10 Sustain high quality regime of town centre Town Centre BCW / TCP 2011 - 2016 Application for Business Regeneration from Princes Foundation for the Built management. Regeneration Improvement District. Environment and interested people, local businesses and organisations.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 38 Appendix 2 Appendix 2 39 Progress and Next Steps – December 2010 Progress and Next Steps – December 2010

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Moat Lane, Towcester Town Centre Regeneration - Daventry

D1 Delivery of WaterSpace project. Town Centre DDC TBA Detailed design largely complete. Regeneration Planning application summer/autumn 2010. Full implementation depends on funding being secured, although may be partially implemented using DDC funds.

D1a WaterSpace - “Daventry Descent” Town Centre DDC TBA Conceptual design complete. boat lift. Regeneration/ Implementation depends on securing Tourism funding.

D1b Town Centre Vision (TCV) Sites 3 & 6 - new Town Centre DDC 1-2 years Site masterplan prepared and revised mixed use scheme including residential, Regeneration/ in consultation with stakeholders and education, commercial (linked to iCon), Education public. Further public consultation community and public space, around water. due. Planning application (outline) in Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status summer/autumn 2010. This will be followed by selection of development Town Centre Regeneration - South Northamptonshire partner(s) for the scheme. Funding for educational element to be resolved - SN1 Develop proposals of Towcester and Brackley Town Centre SNC 1-2 yr Draft Towcester Masterplan complete. may commence as Baker Academy or masterplans. Regeneration Brackley MP: draft going to cabinet in other model, but the aim is “full service” June for release for consultation. 16-19 education of high quality.

SN2 Market Square development. Town Centre SNC 1-2 yr D2 Removal of barriers to retail regeneration, Town Centre DDC TBA NCC Children’s & Young People’s Regeneration inc. reconfiguration of road infrastructure, Regeneration service relocated to DDC Lodge Road and provision of Daventry Library. offices as first stage of enabling SN3 Re-development of Sponne School. Town Centre SNC 5 + yr Longer term but still an provision of new Library. Planning Regeneration aspiration. application for retail-led schemes on Daventry Town Centre Vision SN4 Build upon niche retail offer. Town Centre SNC 1-3 yr supporting a number of initiatives sites 1 & 5 expected autumn 2010 Regeneration to better promote the market towns, (by Henry Boot developments, the including Economic Development Council’s development partner). Work Strategy and Retail Study. on road changes to accommodate development, new library and main development will follow in 2011/12. SN5 Moat Lane redevelopment. Town Centre SNC 1-3 yr All procurement of surrounding Regeneration buildings is complete. Moat public realm and water-meadows complete D3 The I-Con project, which will house the Town Centre iCon East 1-2 yr Construction underway. Focus now on and open. SNC expecting to relocate sustainable construction i-net and provide Regeneration Midlands delivering programme and maximising within 3 years. commercial and community space. / WNDC the benefits of the iCon and iNet model.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 40 Appendix 2 Progress and Next Steps – December 2010

Sustainable Northamptonshire

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Economic Action Plan Building the Brand (SNEAP) B1 Identify and nurture the emerging symbolic Building the Brand SNEAP DMG 2010-11 Ongoing. actions. / Marketing Group Building the Brand B2 Confirm the definitive marketing group for Building the Brand NEL / NCC / NNDC / 2010-11 Ongoing. the county supported by a clear structure WNDC of sub-groups that co-ordinate and drive marketing activity.

B3 Establish an agreed structure or nest of Building the Brand Marketing Autumn Ongoing. brands that collectively support and promote Group / NEL / 2010 a clear Northamptonshire brand and secure PSB stakeholder buy-in to the structure and core brand values.

B4 Create a definitive 20 year marketing Building the Brand Marketing Spring Early stage of development. strategy for Northamptonshire. Group 2011 Will require continued support of partners.

B5 Establish a sustainable framework for Building the Brand Marketing Spring Early stage of development. partnership (public and private) funding of Group 2011 Will require continued marketing delivery. support of partners.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 42 Context Context 43

“A strong and positive brand for ‘A strong and clear place brand performs a vital role Northamptonshire will enable in supporting key asset retention (good employers, growth and regeneration” people etc), framing Inward Investment activity and

SNEAP: Building the Brand driving Business to Business Marketing. However, SNEAP: Building the Brand just as vital is the role place branding plays in engaging and involving the community in the areas Context improvement, its growth and most crucially how To take the economic expansion of Northamptonshire forward in support of the national growth change happens. agenda, the SNEAP Project Board has identified six core themes as requiring new and better initiatives: Employment Land ~ Town Centre Regeneration ~ Education and Skills ~ Enterprise and Innovation ~ Transportation ~ Building the Brand. Each core theme requires transformational actions over and above continuing with actions that have been employed over recent years.

The key objective for the Building the Brand theme of the Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic Vision for Northampton Action Plan (SNEAP) is to promote Northamptonshire via a range of actions, and to encourage a (and its constituant places) perception of the county that drives and supports long-term future growth. Such investments will help to transform the local economy into one that is more productive, innovative and enterprising. In essence, it is intended to create step-changes in the county’s branding, marketing and place making presence, and to create new processes that facilitate or enable growth and regeneration - not just in the creation of new businesses, but in creating more attractive places in which to live, Engages and Involves Supports asset the community in learn, visit and invest, both for residents, workers and visitors alike. Retention. Inward improvement and Investvent, Business- growth and how it to-Business happens

In 2008, the draft SNEAP articulated to effectively use marketing to attract • Secures transformation through a the scale and nature of the economic investment, businesses, residents and fundamental shift in approach challenge faced by Northamptonshire visitors. across the county amongst and and called for action on two fronts to between stakeholders Place Brand meet the need for more and better jobs Building the Brand differs from the other in the right places: themes of the SNEAP however; as it However, avoiding the common and 1. Do everything we’re doing (business sits across all of the core activities and misconception that marketing a place Marketing Activity as usual) but do it better becomes a primary cross-cutting theme just means promoting a place, the SNEAP which: Project Board recognised that one of the 2. Undertake Transformational most important aspects of any marketing Actions that will create a step initiative is the quality of the product. change in jobs growth and • Provides a critical success factor that all the themes should consider – how Good advertising can make a bad product Brand Image productivity Product (iperceptions will this Transformational Action build fail faster and this is equally true of Improvement Brand Identity places. As a consequence, Building the of place) in the upon the Northamptonshire brand? (including growth (the “logo”) owned Building the Brand was identified Brand is seen as being about far more minds of our & regeneragtion) by partners as a concept for a series of specific • works with the outcomes of the other than just creative advertising. audience(s) Transformational Actions, seeking to five themes, developing the product positively position Northamptonshire and marketing to increase awareness in the minds of target audiences and of the brand Figure 1: A model for how brand building helps achieve Northamptonshire’s strategic vision.

Cover Image: Willow Place, Corby

www.letyourselfgrow.com 44 Current Position Current Position 45 SNEAP: Building the Brand SNEAP: Building the Brand

Recognised branding expertise from the private sector was bought in to develop the project and over a period of several months conducted focus groups with Northamptonshire’s existing and potential customers; resident and business communities, visitors and inward investors. Top line feedback from these groups is summarised as follows:

Visitors Business Residents

Current Position Northamptonshire is a place Northamptonshire is a place Northamptonshire is a place where you can really escape to where business can really thrive where people enjoy living

This paper does not represent to project to all of its ‘customers.’ The adopted an approach that was based on The County offers a calm rural The County has a calm exterior The County offers the right mix of an in-depth analysis of creation of a cohesive approach based on research, consultation, testing & setting with excitement and but dynamic business sector urban and rural living sound core values and positioning would refinement, but would not compromise adventure underneath Northamptonshire’s current ultimately help these customers to better the core values that were to be identified. place brand and hierarchy of connect with our offer. Northamptonshire offers a Northamptonshire is a place Northamptonshire is a place to be sub-brands, but it does provide It was clear from the outset that if this transformational experience where you can transform your proud of a summary of how the current Project Development project were to succeed, it must secure business brand position came about, and buy in from all stakeholders through A project steering group was convened, proposes a forward strategy extensive consultation with both public including representatives from local and private sectors, from strategy for better implementation and authorities, growth area companies, through to delivery. Brand development Positioning Statement University of Northampton, Chamber adoption of the county brand, best practice demanded that we A clear consistent theme of transformational experiences was identified across each key target customer group. of Commerce, various private sector determine several key characteristics This informed a positioning statement that, whilst not a strap line in itself, would inform creative direction along representatives, and tourism & inward Northamptonshire ‘PLC’ of the County and our customers that with the supporting Core Values that the research has captured. investment agencies. The steering group would need to be taken into account: In 2006 public and private sector partners came together to pursue the development of a branding project for Appearance Personality Northamptonshire. Various agencies Everything you need for a uniquely Calm exterior - exciting hidden depths . Appearance How Northamptonshire is presented visually to our transformative experience - Guaranteed! James Bond and organisations had previously customers undertaken their own communications and promotion campaigns targeted at Relationship How Northamptonshire communicates and interacts specific sectors, but without the joined with its customers Relationship LET Values up approach that clearly illustrated the Adult to adult interaction NORTHAMPTONSHIRE - Unqualified excellence How Northamptonshire would convey it’s key - Equality Northamptonshire proposition. Personality TRANSFORM YOU! - Transformative experience characteristics - Honest The project recognised that a brand for - Significant Northamptonshire PLC was about more Values What Northamptonshire basically stands for than just a creative design and strap line. To have integrity the brand would Self Image How stakeholders in Northamptonshire see ourselves User Image Self Image need to embody a sense of place and People who want to change themselves and Member of the Northamptonshire the values that Northamptonshire seeks User Image How Northamptonshire’s customers see themselves the world ‘Transformed’ club as users of our services

www.letyourselfgrow.com 46 Current Position Current Position 47

“The Northamptonshire Brand “Creating a coherent nest toolkit is available online for of place marketing images businesses and partners to use.” and identities for each place

SNEAP: Building the Brand will build the brand of SNEAP: Building the Brand Northamptonshire”

Phase 1 Implementation and resident communities in order to • NCC committed funding to deploy new support future wider awareness-raising ‘Welcome’ signage on major trunk An Invitation To Tender was advertised as the brand becomes further integrated roads into Northamptonshire, carrying nationally for a design company into external marketing plans of NEL and the brand identity. This is now in place. to translate these core values and Corby Cube, Corby its partners. positioning statement into a visual • A partnership with the health identity, and the successful applicant authority and Northamptonshire Sport Key activities undertaken to date include: (a Northamptonshire based company) now sees the brand supporting the developed the “Northamptonshire Let • The brand Toolkit is available on-line Northamptonshire Run as part of the • Key partners have signed up to a “Place At the same time, Northamptonshire investment, and regeneration and growth Yourself Grow” message. Considerable for Northamptonshire businesses preventative health agenda. Making Charter” that incorporates also has a range of brand images in the purposes. consultation was undertaken with local and partners to download in order • The Northampton Saints Rugby the brand core values in order to better minds of its stakeholders and target authorities, LSPs, and various forums to benefit from the Northamptonshire team have included the brand integrate these into the growth and audiences - some brand images that In the north of the county partners have including private sector business identity supporting their own in their programme and have aligned regeneration throughout the County. it wants and some that it does not. adopted a ‘family’ approach to branding breakfast clubs. The approach and promotional material. Player of the Month competition While Northamptonshire has a brand ID that supports Northamptonshire as the resultant recommendations were www.northamptonshireenterprise.ltd. • Refurbishment of the Central Library in with the project as well as a new sports toolkit with which to build, and many place in the UK to grow. In the west work endorsed by the Leaders and CEOs of all uk/resources/toolkit.asp Northampton includes friezes of key initiative engaging with schools in the hidden gems of which to be proud, in is currently underway to secure a strong local authorities in the County as well as Northamptonshire selling points under • Winners of the 2009 FIA County. the context of economic development, set of place messages and identities other private and public sector partners. Formula One Constructors’ the collective brand identity. • The website was re-launched in inward investment, regeneration and including an emerging proposition for and Drivers’ Championships, Brawn 2009, providing an interactive and • Work in partnership at the strategic growth by most objective assessments, the county town. A website was developed GP adopted the county brand on content driven on-line resource for level to assess how partners can better the county is still working to establish a www.letyourselfgrow.com that in their team vehicles which were Northamptonshire’s customers, to deliver communications and service strong brand image in the minds of its It is clearly vital that while the distinctive the first instance acted as a one stop carried all over the world as part of include a “Whats On” Section in provision to our customers. most important audiences – those people strengths and nature of each place portal to Northamptonshire resources their F1 transportation, supporting partnership with the cultural sector, and organisations that influence or do should shine through for the appropriate for Northamptonshire’s customer promotion of the world class and an Olympics 2012 section As indicated above, and with ongoing the investing. audiences, the collective image and groups. The brand was also integrated High Performance Engineering cluster supporting the work of the County’s support from NEL, Northamptonshire identity must be coherent. To this into tourism and inward investment in Northamptonshire. 2012 steering group. Let Yourself Grow is starting now to end, it is suggested that stakeholders promotional activity undertaken by NEL. Other Places Within • The brand has gained traction be adopted more widely by partners and partners across the county agree • The brand has supported development across the county and as well as a strong Northamptonshire and work to ensure the creation of a with many local partners including of the “Leather Heaven” project that Phase 2 Implementation the Northamptonshire Partnership set of brand guidelines that provide a coherent nest of place marketing images has delivered framework for adoption of the brand ID, Beyond the countywide brand ID and The project ownership currently sits with and the University of Northampton, as and identities that not only work for www.northamptonshireleather.com, there are a range of brand propositions image(s), the key urban areas across the NEL Enterprise Committee, and NEL well as providing a platform for each place and its target audiences, promoting the county’s world class and marketing activity that are starting Northamptonshire are brands in their delivers brand activity on behalf of the NEL to align its promotional activity, but which together build the brand of leather industry and reputation. to build Northamptonshire’s brand. This own right that to varying degrees are partnership that board represents. The in particular its Inward Investment Northamptonshire. work is establishing a brand identity for managed and promoted for similar project is currently seeking to connect and destination marketing collateral Northamptonshire. economic development, inward with internal Northamptonshire business and campaign work.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 48 The Objective / The Strategy Transformational Action 49

The Objective “The collective image for Northamptonshire must be Establishing Northamptonshire as THE place to live, learn visit coherent, allowing individual

SNEAP: Building the Brand places to shine through” SNEAP: Building the Brand and invest – in reality and in the minds of target audiences. The Strategy Royal & Derngate, Northampton The two main difficulties the creation of up to 100,000 new jobs than be mere communication. associated with developing a and a 35% population increase represent Each symbolic action must be strategy for building the brand a once in a generation opportunity for intrinsically defensible against the the resurgence of Northamptonshire. accusation of empty rhetoric, are (a) reconciling the needs even when taken out of context and and desires of a wide range of Substantive Action scrutinised on its own account. Transformational Action different stakeholders into a Fundamentally these are the • They should continue in an unbroken Current strategic plans and activity 3. Create a definitive 20 year marketing more or less single direction, transformational actions succession for many years. Building a As stated at the beginning of undertaken by partners (public and strategy for Northamptonshire. and (b) finding a strategic Northamptonshire plans to take reputation in our busy modern world this paper, Building the Brand private) are clear steps in the right goal that is both inspiring - physical, economic, educational, is like trying to fill a bathtub with the is more a cross-cutting theme 4. Establishing a % for Marketing direction but they risk remaining structural, and political. The real plug pulled out: as soon as each principle in development and and feasible. Growth, and within the SNEAP process fragmented and lacking in collective innovations, investments, institutions symbolic action is completed, its effect public/private partnerships. While the desire to make the most than a set of independent ownership and understanding. and policies that will bring about a step on public attention begins to decay, there is an ever growing list of of the opportunity it offers, change in jobs growth and productivity. and unless it is swiftly followed by transformational projects and 1. Confirm the definitive marketing demands on development presents the common factor further and equally remarkable proof actions. Building the Brand group for the county supported contributions at a time when that unites the majority of Symbolic Action of the kind of county that produces it, provides a vital context for by a clear structure of sub-groups the S.106 model appears more than that county’s reputation will stand still that co-ordinate and drive marketing a little broken, the principle should Northamptonshire stakeholders. Symbolic actions are a particular species other transformational actions or move backwards, and the bathtub activity (and which may provide still be established that investment of substantive action that happen to proposed within SNEAP - The suggestion of this paper is to have a will never fill. reports to the Public Service Board in marketing the place plays a have an intrinsic communicative power: will this Transformational simple Building the Brand strategy: but is not ‘governed’ by the public key role in securing the true value they might be innovations, structures, Symbolic actions will add substantial Action build upon the sector). This group and structure and best possible ROI from any legislation, reforms, investments, value to the other investments through Northamptonshire brand? MUST secure real and meaningful physical investment in that place. This • Improve the product through two institutions or policies that are especially enhanced awareness, and public and Building the brand is, however, private sector involvement to not could be through formal development forms of action - substantive and suggestive, remarkable, memorable, investor interest and thus may ultimately only leverage resources but to contribution policy or a robust symbolic2 picturesque, newsworthy, topical, poetic, about a transformation contribute even more value to the county provide strong and on-going approach to public /private partnership touching, surprising or dramatic. Most in approach, where • Transform the approach to marketing than other more weighty but less media references to our target markets. The that secures agreed contributions. importantly, they are emblematic of the the product friendly initiatives. The proposed Dark Northamptonshire takes first task of this group would be to strategy: they are at the same time a Fibre project is, in this context, a potential the place marketing work ensure an agreed structure or nest component of Northamptonshire’s story symbolic action, creating an end product undertaken to date, considers of brands that collectively support and Product Improvement and the means of telling it. of real substance while generating promote a clear Northamptonshire There are a host of ways that the area’s stated vision of being • Symbolic actions should emanate from significant coverage and profile for the ‘THE place to live, learn, visit brand. Northamptonshire can and is improving as many different sectors as possible in county as it is established. its product offer but the leading order to build a rounded and believable and invest, and collectively 2. Symbolic Actions – from the growing mechanism and driving force behind image for the place. steps up to the challenge of list of substantive transformational the county’s future is the significant delivery. actions, identify and nurture the regeneration and growth plans for the • They should never be empty— they emerging symbolic actions such as county. Product improvement through must communicate substance rather Dark Fibre.

2 Simon Anholt, Place Branding and Public Diplomacy (2008) 3 Northamptonshire’s Sustainable Communities Strategy

www.letyourselfgrow.com 50 Transformational Action

St Johns, Northampton SNEAP: Building the Brand

Next Steps

Avon Cosmetics, Northampton The SNEAP Project Board of the Northamptonshire brand. The 2. Set out a process for achieving should draw out from the critical next step therefore is for senior alignment of and coherence between remaining SNEAP themes, representatives (Chief Executives) of the marketing activity by partners - public key partners (NEL, NCC, NNDC for North sector to begin with, but increasingly the initial transformational Northamptonshire partners, WNDC, UoN, private sector partners as and when actions that could be defined as Chamber) to meet with the following they are ‘presenting’ symbolic and therefore provide objectives: Northamptonshire to their audiences. the building blocks for the 1. Review this paper, together brand. Others will emerge as with a summary report on the we move forward. current state of countywide marketing and communications It should be stressed that partnership groups and activity, and agree a buy-in and delivery is crucial rather clear hierarchy/framework of than reliance on a single body (NEL or bodies for managing brand otherwise) to secure transformation Northamptonshire.

The vision for Northamptonshire is to create truly sustainable communities. It is recognised that education and skills provision is only one part of this. The importance of actions undertaken in other core SNEAP themes must be considered in parallel and aligned to maximise resources. This is particularly true, given changing economic, political and environmental climates. Northamptonshire needs to be pro-active in addressing these changes to ensure it meets its aim of being THE place to live, learn, visit and invest.

Tresham College, Kettering www.letyourselfgrow.com Context / Introduction 53

“Northamptonshire’s economy will transform into one that is more productive, innovative and enterprising” SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation Context

To take the economic expansion of Northamptonshire forward in support of the national growth agenda, the SNEAP Project Board has identified six core themes as requiring new and better initiatives: Employment Land ~ Town Centre Regeneration ~ Education and Skills ~ Enterprise and Innovation ~ Transportation ~ Building the Brand. Each core theme requires transformational actions over and above continuing with actions that have been employed over recent years. Sustainable Northamptonshire Introduction

The key objective for the Enterprise and The economic recession has had a for jobs creation and growth, and as such Economic Action Plan Innovation theme of the Sustainable significant impact on businesses it is important to ensure that business Northamptonshire Economic Action throughout the country and to address support best fits the needs of business (SNEAP) Plan (SNEAP) is to transform the this a range of new initiatives were now and in the future. local economy into one that is more introduced, alongside a variety of productive, innovative and enterprising funding to ensure the sustainability and Partners across Northamptonshire, the – one that is able to drive and growth of businesses. Local partners region and nationally, will need to work Enterprise and Innovation support future growth. In essence, it played a pro-active role in promoting collaboratively to ensure that the support is intended to create step-changes in such schemes and providing additional we provide now is maintained, and that the environment for innovation and complementary local support such as once the economic picture begins to enterprise, and to create new processes Northamptonshire Chamber’s ‘Showcase, improve the right type of support is in that facilitate or enable innovation and Market and Sell’ event and Daventry place so that businesses are not cut off enterprise - not just in the creation District Council’s ‘Beat the Recession’ from the advice and guidance previously of new businesses, but in developing event. offered during times of economic new methods of working, training and hardship, as well as reform of the support learning. Furthermore, there must be a recognition offer as a result of changes at a national that the type of support being offered level. Northamptonshire already has a range of during the economic crisis is of a enterprise centres and business support specialised nature, and intended services, which support a successful to support the immediate issues of economy. However, further activity is sustainability facing businesses and the needed to ensure that the county’s economy as a result of the recession. long term ambitions for growth can be The overarching concern of the SNEAP achieved. remains focused on long term ambitions

Cover Image: innovation centre

www.letyourselfgrow.com 54 Transformational Activity Innovation Steering Group 55

Portfolio Innovation Centre, Northampton

SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation Innovation Steering Group SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation

With the recent publication remit to maximise the county’s benefit over the next 10-15 years. Such a of the Regional Innovation from the RIS2 and provide a framework programme would focus on the analysis Strategy 2 (RIS2), there for how the actions arising from it can of current trends and patterns, as well best be implemented for the benefit as emerging issues and new ideas and is a recognised need for of the county. This should be done in approaches. It would identify existing Transformational Activity Northamptonshire to be more conjunction with partners on a regional examples of good practice in policy pro-active in stimulating and sub-regional level to ensure effective approaches and examine the application innovation in the county. integration and co-ordination, and tie of this in the county. In order to achieve the vision set out for the county in the SNEAP, a range of transformational in with the development of a regional actions have been identified that will create a step change in the county’s economy, over and As a county, Northamptonshire must delivery framework, led by emda Northamptonshire partners must develop above the continuation of current activities and programmes. The actions proposed under the be able to both exploit our distinctive but which requires the input of local their understanding of activities already Enterprise and Innovation theme are set out below: competitive advantages, and benefit authorities and sub-regional partners. underway at various levels, and discover through complementing capability new ways in which linkages can be elsewhere in the region and across the In addressing this, the group will ensure formed. Pilot projects can be developed UK as a whole. The SNEAP highlights the that Northamptonshire’s needs are well and partnerships formed, strengthened need to actively take part in the future presented and that the county is able where appropriate by working with Business Support development and implementation of to engage in new pilots and initiatives bodies such as the Technology Strategy proposals and the opportunities they to promote innovation in business and Board and the emerging Growth Northamptonshire already has a accessing the Business Link gateway and additional local support requirements. In present. service delivery. Hubs model. This would ensure that significant number of successful SME subsequent referrals to the Solutions particular these are likely to focus around Northamptonshire is positioned at the businesses, which have been supported for Business product portfolio, however the stimulation and support of new To take forward this agenda a In addition to this, the SNEAP outlines forefront of policy development, new by a range of agencies and products. some products still record better levels of business start-ups, initiatives to facilitate Northamptonshire Innovation Steering the notion of a ‘foresighted county’ – technology and new and better ways of uptake than others. and enable growth for example through Group should be established with the an initiative that looks ahead to future working. However, traditionally businesses in the new product development, and access to changes in markets and technologies County have not taken full advantage The future of business support provision finance from pump-priming through to of the opportunities available under is unclear but current thinking suggests equity finance. business support programmes and grant a national online business support funding schemes in the East Midlands service and a reduction in the products Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status region. In the last year or so, as a result available under the Solutions for Business EI 2 Partners work to set up a Northamptonshire Enterprise and NEL / UON 1-2 yr Early stages - Establishing a case of close working with EMB, there has portfolio. Partners will need to assess Innovation Steering Group to take forward this Innovation for development and a suitable been a steady increase in the numbers any new provision and identify any agenda and provide a framework for how the actions model. Will need to be in operation arising from RIS2 can be best implemented for the to feed into Regional framework. benefit of the county.

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status EI 3 Early stages - Establishing a case for development Enterprise and NEL / UON 1-2 yr Early stages – will be impacted by and a suitable model. Will need to be in operation to Innovation national and local policy drivers. feed into Regional framework. EI 1 Assess the business support provision in the county Enterprise and NEL / NCC / LAs 1-2 yr Ongoing. and work with partners to ensure a coherent offer Innovation is available identifying gaps and targeting areas of EI 4 Engage in new pilots and initiatives to promote Enterprise and NEL / UON / LAs / 1+ yr Ongoing - will need to liaise with need. innovation in business and service delivery. Innovation emda emda on regional priorities.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 56 A Digital Infrastructure Enterprise Centres 57

A Digital Infrastructure

In April 2009 the Department generation ICT infrastructure will not of Northampton estimate for a Dark Fibre of Business, Innovation only attract new jobs in data intensive network for the county was in the region and Skills (DBIS) published industries, but will enable existing of £4.4 million. employees to be far more productive ‘Building Britain’s Future: New and enterprising. This should also link In light of this, the Propel project SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation Industry, New Jobs’1– a policy to the Transportation theme of the will investigate potential funding SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation statement that highlights areas SNEAP which looks at communications mechanisms including the potential where government investment infrastructure as a way of improving linkages with the implementation can maximise growth potential connectivity in the county. of Digital Britain and new regional initiatives. in manufacturing and services Propel Northants essential to “ensure British One way in which Northamptonshire The project brings together key local people and businesses can is already beginning to examine the and regional partners to identify the compete successfully for the impact of the growing digital economy market case for such infrastructure and jobs of the future”. is through the ‘Propel Northants’ project. importantly the types of infrastructure Nvision Technology Centre, Northampton In support of SNEAP, The University that should be provided and how. The strategy identifies five key areas of Northampton has successfully as immediate priorities for investment: secured funding under the sub-regional Implementing the recommendations Innovation, Skills, Finance, Infrastructure, Single Programme budget to develop of the Propel Project could have a and Trade, and aims to ensure ‘Propel Northants’, a project that seeks truly transformational impact on development of associated technologies to examine how the county can be Northamptonshire’s ability to attract Enterprise Centres that allow the transfer, processing and transformed through the large scale both new jobs and increase productivity, exploitation of huge amounts of data. investment in future-proof core ICT but would also have significant impacts infrastructure. Such infrastructure would on other SNEAP themes. For example Northamptonshire already has Centre and NVision, housed to support enterprise development. upfront planning of ICT connectivity in Such infrastructure will radically change promote better connections of people, a relatively large amount of at the newly opened Newton Continued investment in such facilities ideas and information, utilising the best the development of new Sustainable the way in which business and public incubation and innovation Centre at the University of will be a key part in attracting new sector services function, as well as physical communications infrastructure Urban Extensions and infrastructure investment and business growth. Such significantly impacting on a range of to ensure maximum impact on economic would give the county an advantage space in the county (57,000 Northampton, will add to this investments should be aligned to ensure 2 other industries and sectors, such as growth. in implementing new technologies. sq ft in 2006 though now capacity. that Northamptonshire’s enterprise leisure activities. Additionally, ICT has the potential to likely to be in excess of assets are maximised and not duplicated, Delivering a new 21st century reduce the need to travel. The provision 100,00 sq.ft) and a number The wider Technology Realm proposals support the delivery of business support of such services to homes and businesses for Northamptonshire, as noted in Northamptonshire must position itself infrastructure for the county will be a key of dedicated enterprise and activities and meet business demands, transformational activity, but depending could be a key selling point in the the Employment Land and Premises and include where appropriate a focus on to meet the challenges of Digital Britain business centres. Facilities and to capitalise on the potential on the nature of the infrastructure could branding and marketing of the county. Theme paper, will also significantly add sector-specific sites. benefits. Locations which have truly next cost many millions to do so: a University such as the Corby Enterprise to the county’s physical infrastructure

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status

EI 5 Examine the final Propel Feasibility Report and Enterprise and UON / NEL 1-2 yr Draft report complete. Issues and EI 7 Partners to build on the regional Strategic Framework Enterprise and ISG (Innovation 2+ yr Ongoing. establish a framework to take forward proposed Innovation options being discussed by steering to inform the development of Enterprise Centres in Innovation Steering Group) / activity, including examining alternative funding group. the county, and look at alternative sources of funding NEL / UON sources and implementation. to implement.

EI 6 Utilise the new Northamptonshire Innovation Enterprise and ISG (Innovation 1-2 yr Link with Propel project. Will need EI 8 Examine the potential of the European Urban Enterprise and NEL / WNDC / 1-3 yr Ongoing. Steering Group to examine new initiatives under the Innovation Steering Group) / to look at regional / national policy, Development Fund (JESSICA) to secure funding for Innovation / NNDC / LAs / UON Digital Britain and ICT banner. NEL / UON develop links with Sector skills innovation in our town centres. Employment Land councils / TSB etc. / Town Centre Regeneration

1 www.bis.gov.uk/policies/new-industry-new-jobs 2 A Technology Realm for Northamptonshire Feasibility of Concept Report 2006

www.letyourselfgrow.com 58 iNet Development Sector / Cluster Development 59

“The award winning iCon development, based in Daventry, “Programmes of activity will aims to be a centre for excellence be aligned, complementary and in sustainable construction and impactful” green technologies.” Icon Centre for Sustainable Construction, Daventry SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation

iNet Development Sector / Cluster Development

iNets were established across for sustainable construction and green Proposals have recently been put the East Midlands to provide technologies. Partners must seek forward by central government for The SNEAP highlights that • Public services Further impetus on the development a business-led innovation to maximise the benefits from this the establishment of a network of of these and alternative clusters will be development which, in Phase 2, will Technology and Innovation Centres, a key source of jobs growth • Environmental technologies network that supports will come through supporting important in developing our economy, involve wider marketing and awareness which would help to commercialise a • Leather and will drive the competitiveness and businesses and individuals in raising activity with a view to increasing wide range of research and development existing business to improve • Healthcare growth potential of the sectors involved. key sectors to become more demand for innovation support in and will drive economic growth in their productivity levels, and Through these, a broad range of activities • Financial services innovative. Four iNets are sustainable construction. This will present potential high growth sectors that supporting new business starts. have the potential to expand and an opportunity for local partners to get will emerge from commercialising currently in operation across Inward Investment and sector • ICT become more effective, such as supply- involved in this activity and the wider technologies. the East Midlands, including development are key features • Tourism chain development, market intelligence, promotion of the iNet service. incubator services, attraction of further ones dedicated to: Transport, • Creative industries Northamptonshire is in an ideal position highlighted through SNEAP investment, training, joint R&D projects,

Food and Drink, Sustainable Northamptonshire partners should seek to build on its current network of as a further major source of and marketing of the sector. Construction and Healthcare to continue best practice in sustainable Enterprise Centres and the iNet, and employment and a priority Prioritisation of these sectors will be vital in delivering focused activities that seek and Bioscience. construction based on the iNet as widely work with partners, including linking It is important to recognise that for the future growth of the to maximise the potential for growth in as possible, both to provide improved with other iNets from across the elements of this work are already county. the county. Daventry has been chosen as the home support for businesses, to support an surrounding area, to examine how the being done throughout the county of the Sustainable Construction iNet, and enterprise culture in partners and also recommendations of government can be by a number of agencies, and it is Building on the stimulation of innovation NEL already delivers targeted sector construction is currently underway of to promote the county as a location for delivered in the county for the benefit of equally important to ensure that future within Northamptonshire, and the development support in Motorsport and the award winning iCon development, investment in sustainable construction. our businesses, universities, partners and programmes of activity are aligned, county’s existing strength in specific High Performance Engineering (HPE), and which aims to be a centre of excellence the future growth of the county across complementary and impactful. We are employment sectors, will be central in Environmental Technologies. A dedicated all of our key sectors. beginning to see the fruits of some delivering high value added employment progression strategy for Motorsport and of this type of co-ordinated activity opportunities as part of developing HPE has been developed,3 and should be through, in particular, the Motorsport sustainable communities. The SNEAP supported and implemented by the range Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status and High Performance Engineering and highlights the county’s strengths and of partners engaged in these industries. Environmental Technologies sectors, growth potential in the following sectors: Furthermore, NEL is working to build EI 9 iNet - wider marketing and awareness raising activity Enterprise and NEL / emda 1-2 yr Build on regional marketing offer. but the lessons from these would be awareness of and capacity in the Leather with a view to increasing demand for innovation Innovation Provide more Northamptonshire- beneficial to other developing sectors support in sustainable construction. focused activity. • High performance engineering industry in Northamptonshire, building as well. We need to demonstrate the on the county’s strong heritage in that • Food and drink impact of not only doing our day job EI 10 Technology and Innovation Centres - examine Enterprise and NEL / UON 1-2 yr Ongoing. sector. report and implications / opportunities for Innovation • Print and publishing well, but of doing it better. This will be Northamptonshire. a truly transformational activity for • Construction The establishment of clusters can Northamptonshire. • Logistics therefore already be seen in certain sectors across Northamptonshire. • Professional services

3 www.northamptonshirehpeandmotorsport.com/resources/

www.letyourselfgrow.com 60 Sector / Cluster Development Enterprising Capabilities 61

Sainsbury’s Pineham, Northampton SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation

Corby Cube, Corby

Activity here closely aligns with the The growth of higher education to study, that can also be used by the Employment Land Theme paper, which opportunities in Northamptonshire local community and has the capacity Enterprising Capabilities highlights the linkages between the provides another opportunity to explore to provide employment units for start- supply of high quality sites and need a revised vision for how further and up businesses. Such a cluster of related to stimulate demand from the private higher education is delivered in town premises and services could be developed In addition to providing and Skills Theme Paper. Partners – and showcase events to demonstrate sector for sites to support sector-specific centres, in conjunction with planning and into a ‘Northampton Learning Quarter’, assistance for enterprises in the public, private and voluntary – will best practice examples of activity from activity. There is continued scope to regeneration policies. This can be looked providing a hub of skills and learning traditional sense of business play a key role in delivering activities across Northamptonshire. work with partners to align the support at not only in terms of the employment activity in an innovative environment to support an enterprising culture and for business, development of key opportunities generated but also the making the town somewhere that people support, Northamptonshire further engagement with skills, training A priority for the future will be ensuring existing sectors and promotion of the potential stimulus to town centre activity want to live, learn, visit and invest. must also continue to drive and employment. Business support that the good will and engagement county to new investors, to ensure that across a range of priorities. forward the development of an organisations will help to provide a that has been garnered so far Northamptonshire is recognised as the For example, providing a facility in the Enterprising Culture within the holistic approach, maximising the throughout this work is not lost, and the best place in England to grow a business. town centre where students are able county. potential for Northamptonshire to be implementation of activities in line with recognised as an enterprising place. the recommendations of the Action Plan This can cover a wide range of subjects, should be developed under a county- In line with the recommendations of wide programme. NEL will play a key Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status from the Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)4 agenda, public sector the original SNEAP, Northamptonshire role in this, however partners should Enterprise Ltd (NEL) has led on the also be aware of the contribution that EI 11 Stimulate sector development activities in key sectors, Enterprise and NEL 1+ yr Build on investment promotion delivery of services, and activities such implement strategy proposals. Innovation activity. as Local Alchemy to stimulate enterprise development of an Enterprising they can and must make to ensure that in the county’s disadvantaged areas. Capabilities Action Plan, in conjunction our learners, residents, communities, EI 12 Expand cluster development in county through Enterprise and NEL / UON 3+ yr Build on investment promotion Partners are working together to deliver with the Education and Skills theme, businesses and schools encourage and supply-chain development, market intelligence, Innovation activity. which will seek to highlight activities that develop the enterprising behaviour of all incubator services, attraction of further investment, a range of potential ‘enterprising skills’ training, joint R&D projects, and marketing of the activities to young and old alike, as can stimulate, encourage and support within them. sector. highlighted in the SNEAP’s Education enterprising behaviour, coupled with an enterprise network of interested parties EI 13 Align the support for business, development of key Enterprise and NEL 1-3 yr Build on investment promotion existing sectors and promotion of the county to new Innovation activity and business support offer. investors. Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status EI 14 Northampton Learning Quarter’, providing a hub Enterprise and UON / NCC / 5+ yr Potential activity for future years. of skills and learning activity in an innovative Innovation / Colleges / NEL environment making the town somewhere that Learning and EI 15 Implement actions arising from Enterprise Enterprise and NEL / Enterprising 1-3 yr Work with steering group to people want to live, work and study. Skills Capabilities Action Plan. Innovation / Capabilities Forum implement actions arising from Learning and final Plan. Skills

4 w.ww.curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/key-stages-3-and-4/skills/plts/index.aspx 5 Local Alchemy is a ‘pre pre-start’ service that offers personal development support and business coaching to individuals exploring the option to start up a new business, who would not qualify for mainstream business support services.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 62 Events and Initiatives / Business Improvement Districts Next Steps 63

“Northamptonshire must develop its enterprise and innovation Events and Initiatives offer to achieve long term sustainable economic growth” There are many national identify these initiatives, by the Low Carbon sector to promote SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation or regional initiatives that whether national, regional the University of Northampton’s leading SNEAP: Enterprise and Innovation Northamptonshire could or local, and look at the centre for Waste Management; Raising the profile of the Newton Centre and Corby Business Academy, Corby play a greater role in, opportunities to utilise these in NVision facility to promote innovation for example Enterprising promoting Northamptonshire. and high-performance engineering; Britain competitions, Global Supporting the sustainable construction Entrepreneurship Week, and In addition, events should specifically sector through capitalising on the target key business and employment the annual iFestival. Business impact a facility such as the iNet and it’s sectors within the county – for example: associated capacity to develop the sector. Next Steps support partners should building on the opportunities presented Northamptonshire must infrastructure and sector development economic interventions and better spatial Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status develop its enterprise and programs. Partners must work to align prioritisation of investment. innovation offer to achieve budgets and resources, and maximise EI 16 Develop series of Northamptonshire led Innovation Enterprise and NEL 1-3 yr Ongoing. efficiencies in delivering services to It is recognised that the Enterprise & events. Innovation long term sustainable economic ensure that Northamptonshire is able Innovation theme of SNEAP must not growth. This includes building to grow and attract innovative and be considered in isolation to the other on the county’s existing productive businesses. By fostering a key SNEAP themes and wider economic strengths and facilities, and culture of enterprise and innovation that development agenda. This is particularly developing new physical and supports business creation and growth true for the Education and Skills theme we will ensure future generations will where supporting an enterprise culture Business Improvement Districts support infrastructure where be better equipped to take advantage of must start through the education system. Northamptonshire has the opportunities that arise. The Northamptonshire Branding will Business Improvement Districts Currently Northamptonshire has BIDs in to development – looking at alternative potential to be at the leading also be key in developing an image of (BIDs) have become more place at Brackmills Industrial Estate (the funding sources and innovative ways in edge of enterprise development. In addition, to support the actions Northamptonshire that promotes the prevalent across the county in first in the county situated on a business which BIDs can be delivered. In particular, outlined above, it will be critical to county as a place where innovation park/industrial estate). Daventry town partners should build on the work of the Many of the initiatives highlighted monitor the level of jobs growth and and enterprise is not only thriving, but recent years. centre, and further projects developing Brackmills BID which has brought about above can be delivered in the short-term the delivery of business support services encouraged and rewarded. in Kettering, Northampton and significant changes to the estate and with limited financial constraints. These within the county on an ongoing basis. BIDs have been recognised as an effective Wellingborough. improved its potential to attract investors projects will in turn develop long-term This can in part be linked with the As such, activities should be considered way of working with businesses in a through creating a more successful initiatives that may have significant evidence base for the Local Economic in parallel to other theme activities and specific locale to improve their respective Nearly all of these have been funded partnership between the businesses resource implications, such as enhanced Assessment, which seeks to ensure that existing actions and aligned to maximise areas – not only for the businesses through contributions made by NEL, but established in the area and support promotional activity to support business future policy making is based around a resources, and ensure relevance to new themselves, but for the benefit of people in widening the reach of BIDs across agencies, including the county council services, delivering a 21st century ICT shared understanding of local economic emerging economic challenges and employed in the area and the customers the county it would be beneficial to and the Police Authority. challenges and priorities, enabling better opportunities. who utilise their services. examine a more sustainable approach The vision for Northamptonshire is to create truly sustainable communities. It is recognised that enterprise Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Ref and innovation development is only one part of this. The importance of actions undertaken in other core EI 17 Develop a framework for developing and Enterprise and NEL / LAs 1-5 yr Initial stages, will be ongoing. SNEAP themes must be considered in parallel and aligned to maximise resources. This is particularly true, implementing BIDs and looking at alternative models Innovation / to ensure suitable fit to business needs. Town Centre given changing economic, political and environmental climates. Northamptonshire needs to be pro-active Regeneration in addressing these changes to ensure it meets its aim of being THE place to live, learn, visit and invest.

www.letyourselfgrow.com Context / Introduction 65

Context

To take the economic expansion of Northamptonshire forward in support of the national growth agenda, the SNEAP Project Board has identified six core themes as requiring new and better initiatives: Employment Land ~ Town Centre Regeneration ~ Education and Skills ~ Enterprise and Innovation ~ Transportation ~ Building the Brand. Each core theme requires transformational Premises & Land Employment SNEAP: actions over and above continuing with actions that have been employed over recent years.

Introduction

In addressing Northamptonshire’s 4. Out of town “logistics parks” ideally These priorities should be considered in employment land and commercial rail linked and with good motorway/ light of other emerging policies, both at premises requirements, there are seven access, sympathetically national, regional and local level, which Sustainable main issues which have been identified designed to minimise environmental highlight the need to ensure a range as substantially impacting on the impact and to maximise economic of uses in town centres, such as retail, Northamptonshire development and regeneration of the advantage housing and leisure, and should form the county: 5. Town-fringe sites for general business basis for future activity under the core use (typically SME companies focus areas as outlined below. It will also Economic Action Plan 1. Town-centre sites for flagship offices employing less than 250) be increasingly important to be aware of and public sector functions (typically potential changes that the new Coalition established companies employing 6. Sector specific sites, e.g. Motorsports, Government may introduce to not only (SNEAP) over 250 employees) High Performance Engineering and the planning policy nationally, but the Sustainable Buildings (which can be 2. Town-centre retail sites, avoiding impact of decentralised power on local focused on relevant current sites authorities. diverting spending power from “town such as Silverstone, Rockingham and centre” to “out of town” Employment Land & Premises Brixworth) It is proposed that there are currently 3. Improved re-use of designated 7. Incubation premises and “grow-on” four principal areas of focus for employment sites, in disuse, generally space (typically supporting start-up transformational actions under the located within built-up areas companies employing a handful of Employment Land and Premises theme to staff) and supporting these address these requirements: companies so that they have suitable sites to develop into.

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status

E1 Serviced Sites Employment Land - - - E2 Technology Realm Employment Land - - - E3 Fit for Market Employment Land - - - E4 Stimulating Demand Employment Land - - -

Cover Image: Swan Valley, Northampton

www.letyourselfgrow.com 66 Context E1 Serviced Sites 67

“The provision of flexible accommodation is vital in meeting the changing needs of modern business”

Sheep Street, Wellingborough SNEAP: Employment Land & Premises Premises & Land Employment SNEAP: Premises & Land Employment SNEAP:

These umbrella actions require a strong E4 Stimulating Demand highlights the potential impact that high policy push from all partners, to be quality design and modern forms of • Stimulating Existing Business Demand enhanced through a programme of business accommodation can have on for sites and premises through additional transformational activities business success. targeted investment over the coming years: E1 Serviced Sites • Stimulating Inward Investment The report highlights a need to provide E1 Serviced Sites Demand through sector focussed flexible accommodation able to meet promotional activity. the changing needs of modern business, • Town-centre sites for flagship The Headquarters of years of regeneration activities, through • Green infrastructure; Education whilst also providing innovative network offices, supporting wider town centre Barclaycard, on the understanding issues of affordability and facilities; Health facilities; Community Through all of these themes run some and ICT solutions to business practices. regeneration Brackmills Industrial Estate in risk, and will identify what projects can and Social facilities fundamental pre-requisites for successful Such developments can provide the be delivered in the short, medium and • Other soft infrastructure as defined in • Town-centre retail sites development, notably: county with a competitive advantage Northampton, is an example long term. The PoDs and IDP highlight a section 106 strategic use obligations in attracting high-value industries. of the type of flagship office • Out of town “logistics parks” or sites range of strategic infrastructure that is such as skills and training. at the main growth towns where • Prosperous towns with an attractive Consideration of such principles could be development which the county required to bring forward development in a routine concept in developing sites and alternative town centre locations can urban feel to them needs to attract to its major the county, including: From a commercial perspective, the not be identified premises in the future. • Good transport links including a towns, especially Northampton. Northamptonshire Strategic Employment • Utilities Provision, including • Sector Specific Sites. reliable public transport system and Land Assessment (SELA) identifies a Furthermore, given Northamptonshire’s In general, such offices should provision for cyclists requirement for new electrical shortfall, particularly in Northampton, growth ambitions, a key action for public be located on sites readily supplies, sewerage and water facilities 1 of high quality sites to meet the E2 Technology Realm • Availability of a suitable appropriately sector partners will be to identify and available for development • Transport Improvements, such as future needs of growth. This shortfall • Town-fringe sites for business use skilled labour-force pilot new initiatives to bring forward within town centres, in A14; A45; improvements arises despite there being an apparent high quality development of all types. The • Incubation, innovation and grow-on • An innovation culture with clear accordance with PPS4’s ‘Town and the NorthWest bypass in general quantitative oversupply of all county must be seen as “leading edge” in premises. processes to allow new businesses to Northampton, as well as a range employment land in some parts of the adopting new initiatives (promoted both Centres First’ drive. grow quickly/easily of multimodal interchanges county. nationally and internationally) which will 2 and rail improvements such E3 Fit For Market • A clear brand for the area, reinforcing help to address the county’s employment Identifying key infrastructure requirements, as highlighted in as the new Corby Station, Castle This apparent conflict of evidence arises • Redevelopment of previously its sector strengths and its main needs. Station upgrade in Northampton and because much of the available land for developed land for new employment direction of travel. “Programmes of Development” (PoDs) electrification of the Midland employment in the county is not well uses For example, such initiatives could for North and West Northamptonshire, Mainline etc. The emerging SNEAP suited for the requirements of today’s Activities must minimise environmental include designation of certain “simplified cover a range of infrastructure needs • Rejuvenation of older employment Transportation Theme Paper considers market, being in the wrong place or impact, whilst seeking to demonstrate planning” zones and schemes designed from schools and green infrastructure sites and premises ~ in use, but these in further detail, given the being inadequate (for example, in size), best practice in new construction to promote zero carbon development to economic development, roads and becoming obsolete unquestioned impact transportation but most particularly due to a lack of techniques. Work previously undertaken through support utilising business rates, town centre development needs. The can have on a successful, productive adequate supporting infrastructure. • Bringing forward sites and premises by Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd section 106 payments etc. “Infrastructure Delivery Programme” the market is not bringing forward. (NEL), “The Workstyles Trend Report 3” (IDP), being developed in partnership economy with WNDC and WNJPU, serves to direct West Northamptonshire’s next six 1 A Review of the Technology Realm concept is currently underway by Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited to explore the validity of the original concept in the current economic climate and the impact of such a project on the county’s economic growth. 2 A Review of the Fit for Market Programme is currently underway, which assesses the impact of the programme to date on the county’s commercial property market and makes recommendations for future activity. 3 www.northamptonshireobservatory.org.uk/publications/document.asp?documentid=589&projectid=50

www.letyourselfgrow.com 68 E1 Serviced Sites E1 Serviced Sites 69

“The development of high quality sites for commercial use is a key priorty for the county” SNEAP: Employment Land & Premises Premises & Land Employment SNEAP: Premises & Land Employment SNEAP:

Willow Place, Corby

B-Space Employment Land Sites Non B-Space Employment sites

It is increasingly important existing status in plan-making The SELA also highlights that and development briefs, with a • Other Offices (B1) and High for partners to recognise statutory documents or have already the county’s non B-use sectors particular focus on how the county’s Quality Industrial (B2) - that sites brought forward been approved should be treated as (including but not exclusively town centre regeneration activities can Sustainable Urban Extensions or other “Unconstrained”. The remainder which support jobs growth prominent sites on the edge of towns, for employment use must have not been identified in plan- retail, hotels, leisure and food highly accessible by a range of be fit for purpose. A priority and drink, social care and • Complementary initiatives aimed making statutory documents or have at investing in skills and training in transport modes not advanced sufficiently along the should be to identify as many health, education and non- lagging sectors. • Industrial/Office (High Quality and potential employment sites as development control process should be residential institutions) are Standard B2), and Warehousing possible, to then be scored by defined as “Constrained”. By such means lagging behind regional and The SELA proposes, (in order to support (B8) – Sustainable Urban Extensions a quality standard can be established and the development of Non-B class uses) or other prominent sites on the edge experienced scorers against maintained through regular monitoring national trends. pre-agreed criteria. Through that a county wide working group of towns, or in specifically designated and review. should be developed to consider the locations benefiting from rail / multi this process sites would be This requires a significant shift in policy initiatives for Northamptonshire, reasons for disparities in performance modal facilities. allocated to two lists: including strong and effective policies and possible solutions. This task and • Those scoring well should be viewed as which will drive forward key, wider finish group, should include planning and The focus is to achieve growth priority employment sites and not Supply/Demand Balance town centre regeneration proposals. economic development officers to reflect aspirations and sustainable town other uses This is highlighted in the Town Centre the emerging planning and economic centres, by ensuring the county’s urban 5,000,000 development priorities for the county, centres are attractive to private sector • Those scoring less well, which should Regeneration Theme Paper, and in and should seek business sector input to investment and have the necessary range not be prioritised for employment, and 4,500,000 addition to the range of activities identify effective activities to stimulate and availability of high quality sites to may be viewed as available for any 4,000,000 highlighted in this, the SELA suggests it the demand for and encouraging jobs attract a wide range of uses, such as other appropriate use. 3,500,000 will be appropriate for Local Development growth in Non-B use sectors. leisure, housing, retail and employment, 3,000,000 Framework policies and site allocations to through a range of regeneration and Thereafter those within the priority consider: 2,500,000 Priorities and preferred locations, but not development opportunities. list which have some appropriate 2,000,000 by way of exclusion of other alternatives, • Incorporating an appropriate scale 1,500,000 should include: and type of non B-use activities in 1,000,000 Total Supply SQM to 2031 ‘traditional’ employment (B-use) sites 500,000 • High Quality Offices (B1) - Town Total Demand SQM to 2031 • Combining in a viable manner B and High Quality Supply 0 Centres North Northamptonshire West Northamptonshire Northamptonshire non B-uses in town centre masterplans

Table 1: Supply Demand Balance (SELA 2009) - Analysis indicates there is insufficient high quality supply of commercial land and property in Northamp- tonshire to meet the demands of business to 2031

www.letyourselfgrow.com 70 E1 Serviced Sites E1 Serviced Sites 71

Sainsbury’s Pineham SNEAP: Employment Land & Premises Premises & Land Employment SNEAP: Premises & Land Employment SNEAP:

Reynard Park, Brackley

Sector Specific Sites

Sector specific sites will need to authorities to maximise the the emerging market of sustainable be a key consideration in future benefit of new investment and construction. Located on the southern developments. These should business opportunities in the gateway into Daventry town centre, the building is an outstanding example relate to specific industries, county. of energy efficiency and high quality for example high performance design and will complement the wider engineering and will support A good example under the umbrella regeneration of the town. Strategic Distribution Sites of Environmental Technologies is existing developments at sustainable building technology, with Silverstone, Rockingham and The development of planning policy Northamptonshire now recognised as for such sector-specific sites is a short B8 development strategy • Be capable of operating 24 hours a sites, given their existing rail-served Brixworth. There will also be a national centre within this sector, to medium term activity. However, (covered by RSS Policy 21) day facilities and expansion potential. It is a need to proactively plan for being home to the I-Hub building and the delivery of sites and associated important that such sites are identified in sustainable construction I-Net. stipulates a need to provide • Have good connections to a labour sites that support the growing infrastructure will require long term core strategy documents. Sites will need sites for strategic distribution supply “Environmental Technologies” visions and investment - potentially to come forward that are able to provide Once complete the building will many millions of pounds - depending facilities across the region, • Not be intrusively visible good locations for strategic distribution sector, which could include accommodate up to 60 business waste and energy facilities and on the nature of a site (e.g. brownfield, with West and North • Minimise environmental impact, activities, whilst minimising the overall start-up offices and will bring exciting major urban extension etc) and the ability Northamptonshire highlighted including noise and light nuisance, impact on the county’s infrastructure. working with waste planning new employment opportunities into of the public and private sector to deliver. as highly desirable locations. building on Northamptonshire’s Such sites should be identified through strengths in the environmental the statutory Local Development Plan Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Such distribution facilities must: technologies sector. process, and it is therefore desirable for all agencies in the area to coordinate E1 Serviced Sites • Have good access to road and rail The SELA study currently highlights that their actions to bring about a balanced • Be well served by Public Transport development at DIRFT and Eurohub growth. E1a Identification & Prioritisation of Employment sites. Employment NEL / WNDC / 1-2 yr In progress through various report Corby would be the most appropriate Land NNDC / LAs and assessment papers.

E1b Formation of countywide Employment Land working Employment NEL 1-2 yr Build on work of BLAP working group. Land group to develop relations and ideas relating to land.

E1c Development of Non B-Space study and policy/ Employment NEL 2-3 yr Potential study to build on existing strategy document. Land work and develop the non-B Space offer in the county.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 72 E2 Technology Realm E3 Fit For Market (FFM) 73

E2 Technology Realm E3 Fit For Market (FFM)

NEL and partners advocated through the Sustainable be conducted into innovative business Due to historical market failure made available to private sector and/or partners, and has opened up a wide 4 commissioned DTZ in 2007 Communities Plan.” solutions, not just property but service of the private sector to bring public partners to bring forward schemes, range of projects, establishing funding provision, such as flexible leases, public to assess how the County can forward the right quantum and including: agreements with local partners in order The Technology Realm was designed sector intervention to support business to achieve outputs across the county. use a ‘Technology Realm’ to to be a public sector led countywide growth and flexibility through insuring quality of employment space • Site and premises acquisition achieve a step change in jobs initiative to bring forward new strategic against risk. in the region, and particularly • The rationale which supported the SNEAP: Employment Land & Premises Premises & Land Employment SNEAP: Pre-development site and Premises & Land Employment SNEAP: growth in the county. The sites, using a range of core principles given the historical market infrastructure costs Programme at its conception remains study found there are a number for consideration in all developments, A review of the initial report has been imbalances between housing as relevant in 2010 as it did in 2003. • Direct development of strengths and opportunities including ICT and design standards. commissioned and is currently in draft and commercial development, Indeed, there is an increased role for format. Its initial recommendations • Brownfield Land Remediation FFM given the economic difficulties in the county that can be built The study also highlighted potential comprise a series of short- and medium- NEL and the County Council faced by landowners / developers in the • Premises improvement / upgrading. upon to create high-value delivery mechanisms, ranging from term actions which will support delivery have developed and delivered promotion of employment development knowledge and innovation supporting private sector development of the long-term Technology Realm an innovative funding scheme opportunities. There is therefore an The programme has already successfully and providing strong planning policies, vision. Actions include identifying a ongoing need for proactive public sector driven jobs in the future, to bring forward employment invested over £16 million since 2004 developing public- private partnerships short list of sites capable of supporting intervention. including physical assets sites around the county. This and has leveraged in excess of £117 and development agreements, through to Technology Realm; refreshing stakeholder amongst others, such as: has been funded primarily million pounds of public and private developing special purpose public sector engagement in the project; undertaking It will be of paramount importance sector match funding. This has led vehicles to bring forward sites. a funding appraisal and; develop a through the Department that, in the current economic climate, • five existing and five planned to creating the conditions for over programme of complementary activity of Communities and Local NEL and partners begin to look at new incubation centres 320,000sq.ft of high quality business Since the initial Technology Realm that will support the development of the ways of securing additional investment Government’s Growth Area accommodation with support towards • the presence of leading businesses study was published, there have been project, for example ICT infrastructure. in the FFM programme to deliver more Funding (GAF), with additional the imminent creation of over 80 in many active growth sectors of the significant changes to the economic projects. It is important to recognise contributions from the sub- hectares of commercial floorspace. This economy landscape – locally, nationally and Delivering the Technology Realm remains that FFM activity to bring forward the has supported many hundreds of new • the role of the University of internationally. The global ‘credit crunch’ a medium- to long-term aspirational regional Single Programme reuse of existing employment sites is a jobs in the county and has secured many Northampton in environmental and the impact of recession on the UK project for SNEAP, though significant fund. transformational activity in achieving a millions of developer match funding. This technologies and creative industries, economy has made its presence felt in all short-term work is required to develop balance of employment land provision. is critical in demonstrating continued coupled with world leading strengths aspects of economic development, and the conditions for the successful delivery The fundamental principle is that FFM Future key focus areas of FFM should be: developer confidence in the county, thus in Motorsport and High Performance has led to many bodies re-evaluating of the project, such as inclusion within will only intervene in the market if the ensuring that Northamptonshire is well Engineering. projects and investment priorities. the Core Spatial Strategies and site market cannot viably bring forward the • Redevelopment of previously placed to attract investment in the short specific proposals. Given the current project independently. The funding can developed land term and is also able to achieve long term The stated vision for the Technology In light of this, it is prudent that we constraints on public finance, delivering stimulate the early delivery of a project in advance of normal market dynamics, jobs and productivity growth. • Rejuvenation of older employment Realm proposal is to: also re-examine the Technology Realm the Technology Realm in its original form sites and premises concept to test if the previous preferred will be a difficult task. Reassessing the which may be particularly important in There is huge potential through Fit “Develop and deliver new models of option is still appropriate for the county model is therefore critical in enabling the current economic climate. Whilst • To balance commercial and for Market to explore the potential innovative property solutions and and the local economy, or if other policy future delivery, as is the need for market failure is the key reason for housing development, and returns from schemes, which can then related business innovation services in changes or technological advances stakeholder engagement. attracting public sector support, the stimulating commercial development be reinvested in future projects and Northamptonshire, to enable the step- have altered the aspirations behind the forms of intervention vary under the FFM in the county activity, enabling the continuation of change in job quality and job growth project. Furthermore, testing should scheme. Public/Private Joint Ventures • Bringing into use railway fringe sites. can be utilised on a commercial basis, development in the county. FFM has seen but in many cases direct grants can be the firm development of relationships Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status with both public and private sector

E2 Technology Realm

E2a Deliver review of TR concept, and develop short- and Employment Land NEL 1-2 yr Initial review underway, requires medium-term actions. & Premises detailed implementation strategy once agreed.

4 www.northamptonshireobservatory.org.uk/projects/projectdetail.asp?projectid=100

www.letyourselfgrow.com 74 E3 Fit For Market (FFM) E4 Stimulating Demand 75

Alternative Sources of Funding and Investment

Despite some significant It will be important that the SNEAP should be given to future BIDs on sites around the county, and other partners take advantage of additional major employment locations, there is a relatively restricted available opportunities to bring forward and in the early stages when considering Brownfield sites identified, subject to the development of any new business

SNEAP: Employment Land & Premises Premises & Land Employment SNEAP: supply of Brownfield Land in economic viability. FFM continues to parks, subject to BID legislation and Premises & Land Employment SNEAP: Northamptonshire, which will attract high levels of private sector business desires. limit available opportunities interest as traditional funding sources for future development. such as bank loans are less available. The county also has the opportunity to Moat Lane, Towcester emda and NEL, with Local seek to pilot various schemes, including Partners will need to work collaboratively Tax Increment Financing (TIF), which uses Planning Authority support, to build up a portfolio of potential anticipated increases in tax revenues have recently undertaken a projects, which will seek to maximise to finance improvements and the Brownfield Land Action Plan economic and productivity impacts. In Urban Development Fund (JESSICA), E4 Stimulating Demand (BLAP) for the county. doing so, consideration should be given which focuses on the development of to supporting commercial schemes commercial property focused around Key actions are: and developing Northamptonshire’s through emerging opportunities such innovation, science, technology and A key initiative highlighted This Action Plan highlights new key industrial sectors and clusters. The opportunities to stimulate delivery as Accelerated Development Zones and growth. in the SNEAP report is to 1) Targeted investment promotion growth potential of these has been well of Brownfield sites, and should be Local Asset Backed Vehicle models. increase the area’s investment campaigns: these will focus on raising established in terms of the county’s Northamptonshire should seek to work considered - in conjunction with promotion activity. This is the profile of Northamptonshire as a existing strengths, location quotient and As noted in the Town Centre with relevant government departments the SELA and FFM - priority areas designed to attract increased location for both business investment relative potential for the sector to grow. Regeneration theme paper, Business to take advantage of any new legislation, for investment. Although funding to (direct relocations and inward Improvement Districts (BIDs) can which will be required to deliver such inward investment to the implement the priorities within BLAP is investment) and development investment Local studies and academic research, also support ongoing development. schemes. county, to retain and grow scarce, the joint working that produced (commercial development schemes) including SNEAP, SELA and the SRES, Northamptonshire already has a number indigenous employers, enhance the document has culminated in a consider the key sectors for the county comprehensive assessment of brownfield of BIDs in existence, including on the the area’s ability to achieve 2) Strategic intermediary to be: land in the county that can be called Brackmills Industrial Estate, with several target jobs growth, and other programme: raising the awareness upon for future reference as and when more in development including for enabling measures such of Northamptonshire and its business • High performance engineering opportunities arise. Northampton town centre. Thought as support for commercial offer to the key intermediaries whose • Food and drink role involves providing advice to new development promotion. • Print and publishing Actions should build on the investors and high-growth businesses. Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status These will predominantly be financial, • Construction existing investment promotion legal and commercial development • Logistics E3 Fit for Market model for the county as advisers in London, and potentially a • Professional Services E3a Carry out review of FFM and its impact to date on Employment Land NEL 1 yr Underway. Draft review complete. set out through Invest limited number of high growth overseas • Public Services Northamptonshire economy. & Premises 5 markets (e.g. China) Northamptonshire and the • Environmental technologies Northamptonshire Let Yourself Build sustainability into FFM through income Employment Land NEL 1-3 yr Underway. Some new methods • Leather E3b 6 3) Sector specific capacity and generation and reinvestment. & Premises examined in Review, more detailed Grow brand for the county . In recent years the majority • Healthcare analysis required. initiatives: of new jobs created in most UK • Financial services E3c Utilise BLAP as method for prioritising brownfield Employment Land NEL 1 yr In progress. Final report expected economies have been generated through • ICT sites. & Premises Summer 2010, to be followed by the growth of existing indigenous and • Tourism prioritisation talks with emda. overseas investors. The most appropriate means of addressing this is through • Creative Industries. E3d Examine new funding mechanisms – TIF, CIL, JESSICA, Employment Land NEL / NNC 1-2 yr In progress. and develop pilot schemes where appropriate. & Premises an enhanced approach to supporting

5 www.investnorthamptonshire.co.uk 6 www.letyourselfgrow.com

www.letyourselfgrow.com 76 E4 Stimulating Demand Next Steps 77

‘Northamptonshire must be seen as “leading edge” in adopting new initiatives, piloting activity and bringing forward high quality sites.’

NEL has recognised this, and focus increased investment promotion SME ladder can be helped to do so. An to date has been on targeting new activities must be a short term important feature of this will need to

SNEAP: Employment Land & Premises Premises & Land Employment SNEAP: investment within Motorsport and High transformational action. Competitor be site-availability for the provision of Premises & Land Employment SNEAP: Performance Engineering (HPE) and areas have significantly better resourced a multiplicity of small business units ~ Environmental Technologies. This has investment promotion activity (circa £2 larger than those found in Enterprise North Park Farm, Wellingborough been largely based around important million pa). While it may not be necessary Centres, but within the financial scope of sector focused events, supported by to fund activity to this level, new ways emerging employers. strong press and media coverage of public–private activity must be (particularly in the Financial Times and investigated to ensure that the county is It may well be that the expense of Next Steps trade media), web based e-marketing able to compete nationally to attract new growing a business in its early stages activities and regional television investment opportunities. in a high-cost location such as coverage. or Cambridge is prohibitive to many Northamptonshire must have: become fully developed and fully through the planning process. Public Sector-specific Enterprise and / or new businesses and there may well be consulted, they may be expected to be partners will need to bring forward Following significant HPE activity to Innovation Centres, such as the Corby a niche for Northamptonshire to offer • A diverse range and choice of incorporated into an appropriate level of, the range of sites of which they have date, further work will be undertaken Enterprise Centre and the Portfolio this growth potential either through the highest quality commercial for example, regional and sub-regional knowledge and must monitor the toward both the Environmental Innovation Centre at the University the Technology Realm or otherwise. As accommodation that is able to meet strategies (if any), and certainly the pipeline of employment sites in the Technologies sector and the Investment of Northampton, are in the varying such SNEAP recognises that measures to the changing needs of modern Local Development Frameworks, from systems. Intermediary audience – developing the stages from early development to fully stimulate demand are required, including businesses and the market. which documents they can be given Northamptonshire position and working operational at a range of locations in the provision for the smaller requirements of proper weight in Town Planning decision Other identified local priority sites need • An image as an ‘open for business’ towards strong exposure at key sector- county. existing or local businesses as well as the making. to be brought forward and adequate location, easy to deal with and resources for these must be sought focused events such as Offices, Ecobuild inward investment needs of larger and A wide range of organisations (public responsive. through Local (e.g. Borough and District and MIPIM. These will serve to grow new businesses longer established employers. and private) will be involved in delivering Councils, NEL, Delivery Vehicles), Regional in the early stages, but there needs to the various requirements to ensure • A process to find innovative ways of and National programmes, based on the Continuing to promote the county and be an “easy access” system whereby Northamptonshire has a high quality working with public and private evidence that Northamptonshire can support increased jobs growth through businesses which want to grow up the supply of employment land and is able to sector to maximise business efficiency deliver long term jobs and productivity attract and secure new investment. and attract business investment to the growth with a greater degree of certainty. county. The county must proactively create Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status the necessary conditions for continued There is also potential for work on To deliver this, the above initiatives need economic growth. some employment land actions to be E4 Stimulating Demand to be drawn up in a manner which is incorporated in pilots, to establish “best This requires provision of an adequate “evidence-based” and “numerate”, so practice” for the accelerated delivery of supply of employment land, but E4a Increased investment promotion activities, including Employment Land NEL / NNDC / 1-2 yr Ongoing. that the findings can be included in the development in the current economic examination of potential public/private initiatives. & Premises WNDC / NCC importantly focusing on the provision next iteration of the regional and local climate. This can include emerging of a significant number of new high strategies, and in the various evolving commercial development schemes such Provide focused promotion campaign for small Employment Land NEL / NCC / 1-2 yr Potential to be developed in future quality sites and premises. In addition E4b regeneration plans of local authority and as Tax Increment Financing, but also business requirements. & Premises WNDC / NCC years. to providing traditional, B1, B2, B8 / LAs delivery vehicle partners, as well as any continuing to support the delivery of employment land, partners must also potential future agencies tasked with housing initiatives to support buyers’ focus on the need to address non-B E4c Develop better offer on business estates, currently in Employment Land NEL /LAs 1-3 yr Potential to build on success of the delivering economic development and ability to acquire mortgages. state of decline, through regeneration packages to & Premises Estates Groups activity - broaden regeneration activity in the county. space employment needs. This has provide high quality units for all sizes and uses. appeal and remit. significant linkages with Town Centre Eventually, as the strategies and the Regeneration opportunities and should E4d Develop programmes to encourage skills development Employment Land NEL / NCC / UON 1-5 yr Potential to be developed in future be addressed in a holistic manner, in declining industries. & Premises years. additional transformational actions

www.letyourselfgrow.com 78 Next Steps SNEAP: Employment Land & Premises Premises & Land Employment SNEAP:

Sustainable Avon Cosmetics, Northampton Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan

Activities such as Fit For Market and In addition, to support the actions monitoring of the success of the various Technology Realm must be adequately outlined above, it will be critical to schemes - FFM, Technology Realm and (SNEAP) resourced both to continue existing monitor the level of jobs growth and Investment Promotion - regular reviews activity, but importantly to allow for specifically planning applications and of commercial market conditions and an increase in the size and scale of floor-space statistics to assess the employment land assessments should Education & Skills interventions in line with demand and impacts of these actions. While this be undertaken to assess the long term the supply being brought forward is already undertaken to some extent success of the county in achieving jobs by other partners. Serviced Sites will through regional and local strategies, as and productivity growth. require a major programme of public well as local authority annual monitoring infrastructure investment, supported reports, consideration of this must be by a robust system for collection and a key factor for inclusion within the deployment of s.106 payments for emerging Local Economic Assessment for relevant planning obligations. the county. In addition to the ongoing

The vision for Northamptonshire is to create truly sustainable communities. It is recognised that employment land provision is only one part of this. The importance of actions undertaken in other core SNEAP themes must be considered in parallel and aligned to maximise resources. This is particularly true, given changing economic and environmental climates. Northamptonshire needs to be pro-active in addressing these changes to ensure it meets its aim of being THE place to live, learn, visit and invest.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 80 Context / Introduction Transformational Activity 81

“Skills, training, education and “Activities are required to development influence and develop transformational ways impact every part of society and of stimulating, encouraging the economy” and supporting enterprising SNEAP: Skills and Education behaviour” SNEAP: Skills and Education Context To take the economic expansion of Northamptonshire forward in support of the national growth agenda, the SNEAP Project Board has identified six core themes as requiring new and better initiatives: Employment Land ~ Town Centre Regeneration ~ Education and Skills ~ Enterprise Transformational Activity and Innovation ~ Transportation ~ Building the Brand. Each core theme requires transformational actions over and above continuing with actions that have been employed over recent years. In order to achieve the Employment and Skills Economic Assessment will play a lead role vision set out for the county Board – A Virtual Model in helping to identify those skills gaps in in the SNEAP, a range of the county where additional activity is required. transformational actions have A recent review of the delivery of education and skills in the county, and been identified that will create Early indications are that activity of how changes in central and regional Introduction a step change in the county’s will need to be prioritised across the policies have affected this, has identified following areas: young people in schools economy, over and above a clear need for an Employment and The key objective for Education and Skills repercussions of recession, it is clear that development are massive cross-cutting and ways of improving employability the continuation of current Skills Board (ESB) in Northamptonshire. in the Sustainable Northamptonshire the successful and targeted delivery of areas that influence and impact on every skills and aspiration and awareness of The Board would be responsible for Economic Action Plan (SNEAP) is to economic development is imperative to part of society and the economy. In order activities and programmes. The key sectors and understanding business taking a strategic lead on skills issues for transform the local economy into one creating a strong county. to enhance skills to the levels required to proposed actions for Education needs. Based on this, the next phases the county, leading to the development that is more productive, innovative and meet the Northamptonshire ambitions and Skills development are of developing the ESB will broaden of an employment and skills plan. enterprising one that is able to drive In particular, the SNEAP highlights for growth, there needs to be a broader highlighted on the following engagement to include the 14-19 and support future growth. In essence, the need to achieve productivity approach to the types of skills required education service and Northamptonshire pages: A virtual model of a Board has been it is intended to create step-changes improvements across the whole county, and the types of people and businesses Education and Work Service (NEWS) proposed following initial consultation in the environment for education and with a focus on identified priority that require them. who are responsible for delivering work with business partners, which is not skills, and to create new processes that sectors, raising skills levels, promoting related learning and work experience on overly formalised and structured, facilitate or enable education and skills the county for investment and ensuring Through the SNEAP there needs to be behalf of schools across the county. focusing on influencing and delivering development not just in the creation that the predicted jobs growth supports a move towards encouraging more practical solutions to the issues currently of new businesses, but in developing sustainable communities and the local enterprising behaviour in the way in faced. The evidence base of the Local new methods of working, training and labour market. which skills training and provision are learning. delivered, as well as a step change in Northamptonshire is a county well the recognition of its importance to the The SNEAP describes Northamptonshire placed to take positive action to move overarching ambitions for growth. This Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status as a county in which the foundations for away from it’s traditionally low skill also needs to be reflected in the priority economic growth are reasonably strong. economy to a more knowledge-based given to the skills agenda not only in ES1 Take forward initial recommendations of the ESB Education & NEL 1-2 yr In progress However, weaknesses are apparent in the economy. Prioritisation of activities and terms of education and student learning, Business Case, including examining the evidence Skills overall level of productivity and in the investment will be essential in achieving but continuous development throughout base and building relationships with the business community. performance of some areas. Faced with a transformational shift in approach, and employment and in business settings. the challenge of significant jobs growth supporting successful economic growth. ES2 Build on the virtual Employment and Skills Board, Education & NEL 1-2 yr Action will be result of successful in an economy that is facing up to the Skills, training, education and and develop framework for activity, based on a clear Skills ESB Business Case - in progress. vision for the county.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 82 Transformational Activity Transformational Activity 83

“A streamlined and holistic University Challenge extending and deepening access to and In the current economic climate approach would constitute a wider participation in higher education in such partnership forum would be The ‘University Challenge’ scheme, the north of the county. Despite a strong an invaluable asset to the county in truly transformational change launched by the Higher Education application, the University Challenge bid exploring new ideas and opportunities for in the development and delivery SNEAP: Skills and Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for Northamptonshire was unsuccessful the delivery of higher level skills. Such a of skills, education and learning SNEAP: Skills and Education was targeted with establishing up to 20 however the drive to maintain the strong group would be ideally placed to lead on initiatives in the county.” higher education centres around England. partnership that formed as a result of developing future proposals and offering This represented a unique opportunity for this bid is strong. a collective approach to skills delivery stimulating and significantly enhancing, across Northamptonshire.

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status

ES3 Facilitate the development of a working group Education & NEL / NCC / 1-2 yr Potential development in to specifically examine new opportunities for the Skills UON / Colleges future year delivery of HE / FE in the county.. 14-19 / Higher Level Skills a seamless education journey for there is now potential for SNEAP to students, and could incorporate all consider refreshing this document in Strategy levels of training from Level 2 to Level line with changes in the county’s skills Enterprise Capabilities range of stakeholders from the public, opportunity into the hands of individuals 4, via internships, vocational learning, structure, national skills frameworks and 2 Significant activity is already underway private and voluntary sectors – including and communities . apprenticeships and placements. changes to provision, for example the to raise the skills attainment levels of the A range of organisations already exist economic development, education, Developing this alongside other principal delivery of diplomas. county and in many cases the University in the county to promote and support training and skills development partners. If this Action Plan is to be successful, it areas of activity would ensure a of Northampton, Northamptonshire enterprising behaviour, focusing on It identifies the key objectives and will require a high level of investment, complementary and focused programme With the publication of the Higher Level County Council and other partners are a number of differing target groups activities required to develop new not just in terms of financial resources, of education from 14 to post-19 learning Skills Strategy, an Operational Plan was working well together. including young people, business support transformational ways of stimulating, but with the buy-in of stakeholders and beyond. launched to enable its implementation. and the third sector. Some enterprise encouraging and supporting enterprising as to the importance of developing At this point, it would be useful to review However, it is recognised by all partners skills activities already take place in behaviour and partnership working an enterprise culture for the county’s One of the initial steps that can be taken and monitor what actions have been that additional activity and partnership schools, communities and as part of between relevant stakeholders in future development. Truly embedding to achieve this could be the mapping achieved within the Operational Plan working would be invaluable in bringing business support activity, however Northamptonshire. The Action Plan this work across Northamptonshire - of vocational activity in the county. since its inception and where further together the 14-19 and Higher Level much of this lacks a coherent plan of examines the potential for joining within schools, communities, businesses, A vocational mapping exercise was work is required to bring these forward. Skills Strategies for Northamptonshire. how collectively this could contribute up education with businesses and individuals – through a series of targeted undertaken by Aimhigher in 20053, and to a broader ‘Enterprise Culture’ in communities to provide clearer linkages activities and strategies, requires This would enable the creation of Northamptonshire. to enterprise and enterprising behaviour. leadership and ownership from all The Plan also supports the ambitions of partners. The Enterprise Capabilities Action Plan1 the Government’s Big Society agenda Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status was developed in partnership with a which aims to put more power and ES5 Work with AimHigher to better understand, review Education & NEL / UoN / 1-2 yr Planned activity within timescale. and build on the vocational skills offer in the county. Skills Colleges

ES6 Ensure HLS maintains momentum through engaging Education & UoN / Colleges 1-2 yr Initial stages, will require additional Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status with partners and driving implementation of Skills / NEL support. Operational Plan, following a review of progress to ES4 Build on the emerging Enterprise Capabilities Action Education NEL / Enterprising 1-2 yr Action Plan currently in date. Plan, and work with the proposed EC Forum to & Skills / Capabilities consultation period. implement activity, and work with partners across Enterprise & Forum public, private and voluntary sectors to embed and Innovation monitor progress.

1 The Action Plan has been widely circulated and consulted on amongst partners, however further publication is pending clarification on forthcoming changes at national and 3 www.aimhighernorthamptonshire.ac.uk/library/docdetail.asp?docid=34 regional policy level. 2 www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/407789/building-big-society.pdf

www.letyourselfgrow.com 84 Graduate Opportunities Graduate Opportunities 85

Tresham College, Kettering SNEAP: Skills and Education SNEAP: Skills and Education

Graduate Opportunities

A key area for development average percentage of leavers entering The regional Hot Prospects offer builds is the ability of the county to employment, a problem which has also on this to provide tailored advice and offer opportunities for graduate been affected greatly by the recent support to businesses looking to recruit recession – indeed the rate at which the and graduates looking for employment. development, recruitment and University of Northampton’s indicators Evaluating the current offers would retention in Northamptonshire have worsened is greater than the provide a useful benchmark – through – whether this be graduates of national position. examining what support is on offer, the University of Northampton, to whom and where, and how this those returning to the county If Northamptonshire is to raise the translates into different types of skills levels of the workforce within the employment across different sectors in SNEAP – notably Enterprise & Innovation but that can also be used by communities from study elsewhere, or ‘new’ county, encouraging graduates of our the county and how successful these Northampton Learning graduates that have neither and Employment Land & Premises, as and members of the public, that has the own University, and those returning from programmes are in moving graduates Quarter well as wider planning and regeneration capacity to provide employment units for studied nor lived in the county studies elsewhere to find employment into appropriate employment. policies. start-up businesses, and provides services The growth of opportunities in the previously. within the county will be key – either for members of the public. Such a cluster provision and delivery of education through encouraging the start-up of new Through this we would gain a greater This can be developed not only in of related premises and services could in Northamptonshire provides an The University of Northampton report businesses or assisting in the search for understanding as to what the business line with anticipated employment be developed into a ‘Learning Quarter’, opportunity to explore a revised vision Early Destination of Leavers from Higher employment. sector is looking for in recruiting skilled opportunities generated but also the providing a hub of skills and learning 4 for how higher and further education Education Survey reports on the six- workers, and could potentially look potential impact of such a feature within activity in an innovative environment is delivered, particularly within town month employment, further study and There are currently several programmes to fill those gaps by broadening the the town across a range of priorities. For that encourages growth and makes the centres. This should be done in training destinations of leavers from that offer support to Higher Education engagement of students from across the example, providing a facility in a town town somewhere that people want to conjunction with the other themes of the the University each year. Figures from learners and graduates to assist in various departments of the university centre where students are able to study, live, work and study. these reports indicate a lower than gaining work experience placements with sector-specific training and and finding permanent employment. employment.

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status ES8 The Learning Quarter - examine the potential Education UoN / NCC / 5+ yr Potential activity for future years. ES7 Graduate Opportunities - evaluate the range of Education & UON / NEL / 1-2 yr Potential activity to build on for bridging the physical aspects of training and & Skills / Colleges / NEL activity in the county and region. Examine ways this Skills emda current work education with alternative uses - i.e. community, Enterprise & can be developed, particularly focusing on sector retail, business - within a town centre location such Innovation specific training and employment. as Northampton.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 86 Next Steps

“Corby Business Academy, Corby “SNEAP aims to create a county supported by a knowledge-based economy, attractive to businesses and investors, and sustained by a SNEAP: Skills and Education highly skilled workforce.”

Next Steps

The next stages of the SNEAP • Explore opportunities with employers • Based on the evidence base of the should seek to identify where to develop a pilot which will increase Local Economic Assessment, develop gaps remain in the delivery the number of apprenticeship places a new model for the Employment and on offer within the manufacturing Skills Board for Northamptonshire to of higher level skills and sector take a strategic lead on skills issues for Sustainable education in the county, and the county. • Enterprising Capabilities – within where a transformational communities, businesses, schools and Northamptonshire approach and initiatives will individuals. Such an approach will create the increase the deliverability and foundations of future growth, and create • Linking skills training with a county supported by a knowledge- Economic Action Plan impact of those activities. business demand, specifically with based economy, attractive to businesses sectors identified for growth, e.g. and investors, and sustained by a highly Ensuring that these activities continue creative industries, motorsport and skilled workforce. Such an approach will will be critical, in order to successfully (SNEAP) HPE, low carbon technologies be a key priority of future delivery bodies, deliver the future growth ambitions • Infrastructure – ensuring the right and will require resources and a collective for Northamptonshire, both in terms facilities and resources are in place to appraoch to ensure that this is successful. of productivity and population. enable the county to deliver skills and Transformational actions will be required education effectively, and developing Town Centre in the short, medium and long term, the potential of town centre facilities to encompassing: act as learning hubs Regeneration • Skills and education provision at all • Linking with existing national policy levels – developing a seamless journey initiatives – e.g. Digital Britain - and from 14 to 19 and beyond, skills requirements based on these – incorporating vocational training and potential for pilot programmes / bid for business focused offers additional funding to deliver

The vision for Northamptonshire is to create truly sustainable communities. It is recognised that education and skills provision is only one part of this. The importance of actions undertaken in other core SNEAP themes must be considered in parallel and aligned to maximise resources. This is particularly true, given changing economic, political and environmental climates. Northamptonshire needs to be pro-active in addressing these changes to ensure it meets its aim of being THE place to live, learn, visit and invest.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 88 Context / Introduction Countywide Transformational Activity 89

“A holistic approach and county wide partnership is essential to deliver and promote the county’s vision for town centres”

SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town Context Transformational Activity Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town

To take the economic expansion of Northamptonshire forward in support of the national growth In order to achieve the improvement of existing open The county is also home to a number agenda, the SNEAP Project Board has identified six core themes as requiring new and better vision set out for the county space and guidance for the creation of developed and emerging Business initiatives: Employment Land ~ Town Centre Regeneration ~ Education and Skills ~ Enterprise in the SNEAP, a range of of enhanced or new landscaped Improvement Districts (BIDs), which and Innovation ~ Transportation ~ Building the Brand. Each core theme requires transformational open spaces offer new opportunities for town transformational actions have centre development and regeneration actions over and above continuing with actions that have been employed over recent years. been identified that will create • Incorporating high quality design in new developments through encouraging businesses to form a step change in the county’s and public realm improvements, to partnerships within their locale. economy, over and above position Northamptonshire’s the continuation of current centres as among best in class Financing the Public Realm Introduction activities and programmes. nationally, with particular references A general decline in levels of investment The actions proposed for Town to accessibility, ICT infrastructure and has contributed significantly to a wider sustainability The key objective for the Town Centre achieve their potential and service the of the county’s centres offers scope for Centre Regeneration are set out corresponding decline in town centres, Regeneration in the Sustainable ever increasing demands of a rapidly better integration and support activities. below: • Encouraging development through and can in part be attributed to a general Northamptonshire Economic Action growing population, it is essential to Local authorities and partners have a ‘town centres first’ approach, shortage in the availability of revenue Plan (SNEAP) is to transform the have a holistic approach and county already developed a range of masterplans avoiding the diversion of spending and capital funds in both the public and county’s town centres into places that wide partnership in place to deliver and and schemes to deliver specific town Countywide Activity powers to out of town locations private sector. This lack of finance poses problems for long term maintenance drive and support future growth. Such promote the vision for the county’s town centre regeneration activities. These • Creating the right environment environments will help to transform centres. must be supported in their development In delivering successful and vibrant town to attract diverse and entrepreneurial of town centres and the public realm, the local economy into one that is more - which in many cases will be over the centres across the county there are a business investment in town centres particularly when looking to support productive, innovative and enterprising. Town Centre regeneration was one of longer term. number of prerequisite considerations across Northamptonshire large development schemes – whether In essence, it is intended to create step the key actions highlighted within the that partners should include in the this be for retail, office or leisure space. • Providing a diverse range of uses changes in the town centre environment, Sustainable Northamptonshire Economic As the county town, Northampton development of new projects and initiatives. In general these are considered in town centres ranging from retail, The world wide economic slow down and and to create new processes that Action Plan (SNEAP) and judged to be itself faces a considerable challenge commercial, leisure, educational, facilitate or enable regeneration - not transformational or to have the potential in delivering long-term growth, and to be: the impacts of recession have presented cultural and housing us with new challenges. Unemployment just in the creation of new businesses, to be transformational if delivered managing this in a sustainable way. • Promoting individualism and figures increased significantly, along but in creating more attractive places in at sufficient scale. Such actions will Having a strong county town will support character in Northamptonshire’s Management of town centres and which to live, work, visit and invest, both help overcome some of the barriers to the overall growth of the county as a towns through art projects, with the number of empty shops on the public spaces is slowly changing, high street rising nationally (63,500 in for residents, workers and visitors alike. improved economic performance in the whole. Overcoming these challenges will sculptures, design and planning with not for profit organisations urban areas of the county, but will need be a means to developing a stronger December 2008 to 90,000 in February • Maximising the opportunities arising working in partnership with 1 The way in which town centres and the to be delivered on a greater scale in order town that builds on its unique heritage, 2009 ). Boarded up shops can have from heritage assets within town local authorities, businesses and significant detrimental and long-lasting wider environment is planned, designed, to be truly transformational. creating a vibrant and thriving regional centres, building upon many of the community groups, through local developed and maintained can have centre. Delivering this vision must be a effects on town centres, potentially areas existing unique features asset management programmes and leading to an increase in crime and a significant impact on quality of life, Each urban centre in Northamptonshire priority for all partners and stakeholders, greenspace development schemes. as well as an area’s ability to attract faces its own unique opportunities the benefits of which will be seen in • Encouraging the best quality vandalism, and creating a perception of sustainable public spaces, In Northamptonshire successful unsafe areas where residents, visitors new and sustained investment. For and challenges. Despite numerous the continued growth success of town programmes include Groundwork Northamptonshire’s town centres to constraints, the interconnected nature centres across Northamptonshire. incorporating principles for the and businesses refrain from travelling or and the River Nene Regional Park. locating.

Cover Image: Market Square, Kettering

www.letyourselfgrow.com 90 Countywide Transformational Activity Countywide Transformational Activity 91

‘Town Centre Regeneration is vital in contributing to the sustainable economic growth of the county, and the creation of vibrant, attractive and dynamic town centres’ Castle Station, Northampton SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town

Despite this there are numerous Difficulties in measuring the workers and visitors. The Transportation Information & Services green design and construction methods, emerging opportunities for investment, theme of the SNEAP examines this issue The Northamptonshire Arc proposal4 as well as focusing on long-term Quality of Public Realm Providing up to date services and such as Tax Increment Financing, in more detail, however it should be brings together a range of transport sustainability. information across the county to a wide Accelerated Development Zones, No single authority or agency has overall recognised that any activities will need to initiatives, highlighting the need variety of consumers has become an Business Improvement Districts, and the responsibility for the public realm. be complementary to other regeneration for a coordinated response to The above highlights several key areas increasing priority in recent years, with Community Infrastructure Levy. These Therefore the key to ensuring a safe and programmes. Northamptonshire’s growth aspirations. of focus that could provide substantial the advent of the digital communications and other schemes present opportunities attractive streetscape is for all those These include the need to maximise opportunities for future activities, the era making it easier than ever to stay in in the current economic climate for responsible for small parts of public accessibility to the county’s urban centres results of which would significantly ICT Infrastructure touch with the office, family or friends. new models and tools in support of realm to work together. The Economic and improving the linkages between impact on the way in which town 2 Providing an up to date information regeneration activity, and maximises the Value of Public Realm acknowledges The Digital Britain report and them. This is examined in more detail in centre regeneration is managed and 3 service that is easily accessible, widely impact of partnership working and joined that monitoring and impact evidence is implementation plan proposes a the SNEAP Transportation theme paper. delivered across Northamptonshire. available and reliable, will improve up resources. currently ad hoc and poorly developed. transformational shift in digital Specific actions that could be developed engagement and communication The importance of public realm is technology and infrastructure to SNEAP provides a useful opportunity to holistically across the county are across the county and beyond, ensuring In addition, European funding streams increasingly acknowledged nationally and ensure that the UK is the global leader begin examining ways that this type of highlighted on the following pages: Northamptonshire is at the forefront continue to present opportunities for regionally, and the need to have effective in a digital economy and society. The intervention can be delivered, through of connectivity and utilising a range of increased investment in town centres Public Realm Strategies should go some Enterprise and Innovation theme championing pilot schemes and bringing technologies to embed this as intrinsic in and urban areas. In particular the way to ensuring effective monitoring and paper of the SNEAP develops further together a range of partners to maximise every aspect of daily life. JESSICA programme (Joint European evaluation of the economic benefits of the argument in support of a much- potential impact. Sustainable transport Support for Sustainable Investment in investment in public realm. improved ICT infrastructure for the will equally be a tool that ties together City Areas) which has been developed county; however any investment in town Sustainable Transport various themes of development – linking centre regeneration must work in tandem by the European Commission and Infrastructure and Connectivity Transport and connectivity lie at the closely the impact of these types of here, and seek to address issues jointly. European Investment Bank. Delivered to The right infrastructure will be vital heart of town centre regeneration. projects on not only local transportation Northamptonshire must position itself to projects via Urban Development Funds, in creating thriving, sustainable town Effective design of transport systems and infrastructure, but on the town meet and exceed the challenges of Digital the investments can then be recycled in centres. Today’s digital economy and fast- that give priority to sustainable modes centres and surrounding areas, and Britain and to maximise the potential order to create a legacy for EU funding paced way of life makes it essential that - walking, cycling and public transport the potential benefits to business and benefits arising. Locations which have in urban development that will run investment in these areas is prioritised - can produce a seamless web-system commercial employment opportunities. truly next-generation ICT infrastructure beyond 2013 and allow reinvestment of - not just in the development of sites, of fast, efficient public transport, will not only attract new jobs in data structural funds into urban regeneration transport, utilities and communications, connecting town centres with strong Climate Change funds. These can then be matched with intensive industries, but will enable but also the schools, healthcare, quality sub-centres developed around transport The Northamptonshire Sustainable local development initiatives to form existing businesses and employees to be employment, public services, green interchanges and allowing quick and Communities Strategy5 highlighted that a powerful catalyst to bring forward far more productive. assets and community assets that make easy transfer from feeder buses. Such development in the county’s towns development. Northamptonshire towns unique places a system could facilitate an increase in The successful implementation of a well should deliver cleaner, safer and greener to live and work. Creating the right planning densities around these points of designed, high-quality ICT infrastructure communities. If Northamptonshire is to Such schemes should be examined conditions for planning and investing maximum accessibility, and mixed uses in Northamptonshire would give the demonstrate a national commitment to in conjunction with wider economic in infrastructure will be instrumental would maximise easy access on foot to county an advantage in developing and environmental responsibility, we need a development objectives and the other key in delivering growth, and ensuring that shops and services. delivering new technologies, and could co-ordinated response that incorporates themes of the SNEAP. our towns are suitable and sustainable also be a key selling point in the branding for future generations of residents, and marketing of the county.

1 www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/doc/1201266.doc 4 www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/environ/bigidea/pages/northamptonshirearc.aspx 2 www.emda.org.uk/uploaddocuments/EconomicImpactofThePublicRealm-FinalReport.pdf 5 www.northamptonshireobservatory.org.uk/aboutus/strategy.asp 3 interactive.bis.gov.uk/digitalbritain

www.letyourselfgrow.com 92 Countywide Transformational Activity Countywide Transformational Activity 93

SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town Town Centre Regeneration - Countywide Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town Town Centre, Wellingborough Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status

T1 Promote strong partnership working across all Town Centre All Ongoing Ongoing sectors and partners for genuine commitment to the Regeneration sustainable development of Northamptonshire. Town Centre Regeneration - Town Centre Managers Forum T2 Investigate public private partnership delivery Town Centre NEL / NNDC / Town Centre In progress models, such as Accelerated Development Zones, Regeneration WNDC / NCC Regeneration Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Community Infrastructure Levy etc. Examine potential / Employment for European Funding sources, such as JESSICA and Land & Premises others. / Enterprise & T7 Countywide retail promotion activities, linked with Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of Group Innovation the Northamptonshire county brand. Regeneration

T3 Maximise public sector employment within the town Town Centre LA’s / NCC 5+ yr Initital stages for some elements will T8 Complementary events programmes. Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of Group centres and capitalise on the potential increase in Regeneration require further work and support in Regeneration footfall in these areas. future years

T9 Training programmes in partnership with the Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of Group T4 Public partners maximising the use of existing land Town Centre LA’s / NCC 5+ yr Initital stages for some elements will Association of Town Centre Managers and retail Regeneration holdings to support site assembly and the creation Regeneration require further work and support in training providers. of high quality mixed use developments within town future years centres. T10 Work with agencies such as Northamptonshire Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of Group Enterprise Limited to attract wider commercial, Regeneration T5 Further support the development of BIDs in our town Town Centre LA’s 1-3 yr Ongoing residential, cultural, tourism and leisure activities to centre sites. Regeneration the towns.

T6 Northamptonshire must position itself to meet Town Centre NCC / UoN / 5+ yr Initital stages for some elements will T11 Developing and sharing best practice on retail and Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of Group and exceed the challenges of Digital Britain and to Regeneration NEL / NNDC / require further work and support in evening economy crime initiatives and supporting the Regeneration maximise the potential benefits arising. WNDC future years reduction of business crime in the centres to ensure that town centres are safe, clean and welcoming to all. T7 Champion pilot schemes and bring together a range Town Centre All 5+ yr Potential for future years however of partners to maximise potential impact, across Regeneration some immediate opportunities for T12 Work to maximise the take up of national and Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of Group sectors such as high quality design, construction, pilots expected to develop regional funding initiatives. Regeneration resource efficiency etc, within town centres.

T13 Delivering an effective monitoring system for the Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of Group T8 Develop a range of countywide initiatives to enhance Town Centre NEL / LAs 1-2 yr Ongoing viability of the county’s town centres and the impacts Regeneration town centres with the creation of a countywide Regeneration of proposed regeneration activities. Northamptonshire Town Centre Managers Group.

T14 Working with local partners to maximise community Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of Group use or creative initiatives to make use of vacant Regeneration shops. A Countywide Town Centre Manager’s group, as proposed However, by bringing the different towns of Northamptonshire above, could be tasked with the development of a range of together, with appropriate public sector agencies, there may be T15 Support the development of Local Asset groups Town Centre TCM 1-3 yr + Dependent on creation of Group further transformational actions. There is already some good the potential to better promote initiatives and develop new and where appropriate in line with the need to support Regeneration working between town centre managers, and the various complementary ideas. new methods of delivery. town partnership groups and committees already in existence.

www.letyourselfgrow.com 94 Town Centre Transformational Activity Town Centre Transformational Activity

“By 2026 Northampton City Centre will be firmly established as the economic and cultural hub for Northamptonshire ”

SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town Town Centre Regeneration - Northampton

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status

N1 The demolition of the bus station in Northampton to Town Centre NBC Start 2013 Priority project being pursued allow expansion of the shopping offer. Regeneration

N2 Development of the St John/Angel Street area Town Centre NBC/ NCC Start 2011 Development agreement for key office space. Regeneration Market Square, Northampton N3 Development of the Waterside in Northampton and Town Centre Waterside Start 2014 Land assembly on going Becket Park as a green link into Northampton. Regeneration WNDC Beckets NBC/EA

N4 Expand retail offer in town centre, to include Town Centre NBC / NCC 1-5yr + Ongoing emphasis on niche retail markets. Regeneration / NEL

N5 Develop market square as the centre-piece of the Town Centre NBC 2010 Nearing completion Town Centre Activity ‘new city’. Regeneration

N6 Improve public realm, in particular Abington Street. Town Centre NBC/NCC 2012+ Key work being pursued In addition the implementation of employment and leisure. The City Centre Two key elements of the regeneration Regeneration a range of countywide initiatives, will be using its strengths, in particular will be the redevelopment of the the core principles of town its architectural heritage and its cultural Greyfriars Bus Station and expansion of N7 Protect green infrastructure, parks and green spaces, Town Centre NBC 1-5 yr + Beckets Park Marina complete 2011 other park offer, as a key to its success’. the Grosvenor Shopping Centre. Both and add similar spaces to the market city as it Regeneration initiatives ongoing centre regeneration could be expands. further supported by individual projects have been developed over many The strategy promotes: years; however the lengthy process has towns identifying and adopting N8 Promote the creative sectors of the town to retain Town Centre NBC/WNDC 2012 + Some work undertaken, however will need led to a degree of frustration for all students, add character and provide creativity to Regeneration further analysis and partnership support, specific, targeted transformational • An expanded retail offer for parties. Delivering these two projects town’s growth. and demonstrate value in addition to office / activities. A summary of these Northampton that is distinctive and will be key to unlocking the potential of retail / leisure uses. Funding being sought activities taken from each of the combines the best in major high the town centre, and will lead to wider N9 Promote availability of land for key industry sectors, Town Centre All 1-5 yr + Ongoing. Some work undertaken, however towns masterplans and visions are street names with niche and specialist regeneration activity in the town. eg consultancy, headquarters, knowledge based Regeneration further analysis required. Tie with summarised below. retail and leisure industries, tech realm. development of Central Area Action Plan etc • A new inter-city railway linking key N10 Develop the leisure offer. Town Centre All 1-5 yr + Ongoing Northampton employment areas Regeneration Northampton’s Central Area Action • A lively St John’s cultural quarter Develop a branding & marketing strategy. Town Centre NEL/ NBC/ 1-2 yr + Some work being done at county 6 N11 Plan sets out the development plans for alongside a new public service hub Regeneration NCC/ WNDC level, need to filter to LA areas the county town. The vision is that ‘by • A focus on developing the waterside 2026 Northampton City Centre will be N12 Promote good carbon management Town Centre All 1-2 yr + Ongoing with a new marina encompassing Regeneration firmly established as the economic and leisure and employment cultural hub for Northamptonshire. It will opportunities N13 Be receptive to initiatives and ideas that promote Town Centre All 1-2 yr + Ongoing be the destination of choice for people Northampton’s expanding economy. Regeneration within the county and beyond for living,

6 www.northampton.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=216&pageNumber=4

www.letyourselfgrow.com 96 Town Centre Transformational Activity Town Centre Transformational Activity 97

Wellingborough be a place that is reinvigorated as a delivered in a way that complements destination. Major new attractions will be and supports existing businesses to The Borough Council of Wellingborough introduced, but with care and sensitivity strengthen the town’s overall standing in has adopted a Town Centre Area Action to ensure that they capture the essence the Northamptonshire economy. Market Square, Kettering Plan8 which sets out the vision for the of a market town: a fine-grained mix of SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town town to be a ‘Twenty-First Century Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town intimacy and convenience. Furthermore, Market Town’. Wellingborough will new developments will be conceived and

Kettering communities in the Borough and beyond. is through the development of eight It will provide a quality retail offer, urban quarters with individual characters Kettering Borough Council has published whether this be high street brands or and distinctive offers. In delivering the Town Centre Regeneration - Wellingborough a draft Area Action Plan (AAP) which sets independent shops. It will build on the wider objectives of the AAP, prioritised out the vision for the town centre - to cultural assets that currently exist and public realm improvements are being Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status create a vibrant heart for Kettering; a provide an experience that is second to considered, costing an estimated £14.5 place that is full of character, distinctive none, day or night. million. Funding for these activities could W1 Redevelop market square area. Town Centre BCW 2010 - 2017 Initial stages of project, project manager and fun. The town centre will become a Regeneration appointed. Currently procuringStatus consultant be financed through a mixture of public team focal point for North Northamptonshire, For Kettering the identified preferred and private sector financing including and will exhibit the best urban qualities approach to transform the town centre Section 106 contributions. W2 Seek major increase in retail provision. Town Centre BCW 2010 + Ongoing to meet the needs of existing and future Regeneration

W3 Promote mixed-use development, combining retail, Town Centre BCW/ Private 2010 + Currently working towards procurment of leisure, cultural and commercial opportunities. Regeneration Developer developer for High St site which will start this Town Centre Regeneration - Kettering type of development W4 Conserve and enhance centre’s heritage. Town Centre BCW/ 2010 - 2012 Working towards 2nd round of Heritage Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Regeneration Heritage Lottery Funding to achieve £1.4m of funding Lottery to progress Heritage and Shop Front initiatives. K1 Develop Market Place Town Centre KBC Complete Public realm has been developed and Regeneration completed. Restaurant offerStatus to be complete W5 Enhance town centre living through new housing Town Centre BCW/ Private 2010 + Ongoing March 2011 opportunities. Regeneration Developer

K2 Market Street, Sheep Street Town Centre KBC 8-12 months Public realm works began in June 2010 Regeneration with work coming in phases towards a full W6 Encourage best practice in architecture, urban design Town Centre BCW/ Private 2010 + Public Realm strategy, Conservation Area completion in March 2011 and public spaces, with focus on energy efficient Regeneration Developer Strategy approved in 2009 which will guide buildings. standards of regeneration and building within the borough K3 Northampton Road junction Town Centre KBC 12 months Public information packet to publish Regeneration this summer aim to start construction in November, and expected to last 5-6 months W7 Develop skills and educational attainment through Town Centre BCW/ Tresham 2010 + Following funding difficulties, Tresham improvements to tertiary education. Regeneration are reviewing their options and currently looking at options to provide higher K4 Bakehouse Hill, Station Plaza, High Street and Town Centre KBC 3-5 years Public realm improvements ongoing, with education in smaller units around the town. Gold Street. Regeneration some work on preliminary procurement and partnership agreement stages underway W8 Strengthen green open space network and Swanspool Town Centre BCW 2010 + Public Realm Strategy and Open Space Brook, focus on biodiversity and recreational value. Regeneration Strategy look to improve these areas over the K5 Station Road. Town Centre KBC 3-5 years Currently discussing JV opportunities with next 10 years Regeneration Network Rail along with pursuing funding streams and sources. A large pre-let agreement could kick-start the scheme W9 Ensure town centre is convenient, safe and Town Centre BCW/ NCC/ 2010 - 2020 Public Realm projects and highway accessible.. Regeneration MGWSP improvements begun with Sheep St/Silver K6 Silver Street, Horsemarket. Town Centre KBC 2-3 years Ongoing dialogue with local landowner / St scheme Regeneration developer. Has planning consent for a 55 bed hotel plus amenities. Currently seeking to Sustain high quality regime of town centre Town Centre BCW/ TCP 2011 - 2016 Application for Business Improvement District secure funding to demolish existing derelict W10 management. Regeneration buildings and prep site for a development

7 http://www.kettering.gov.uk/ketteringtowncentre 8 www.wellingborough.gov.uk/info/856/local_development_framework/568/planning_policy/6

www.letyourselfgrow.com 98 Town Centre Transformational Activity Town Centre Transformational Activity 99 SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town

Corby East Midlands International Swimming Pool

Corby The objectives of the Masterplan are to: • Re-introduce a strong civic presence in the centre Stanwick Lakes Visitor Centre The Corby Town Centre Masterplan9 • Transform the retail experience and guides the physical and social proposals provide a platform for new occupiers Many key infrastructure projects are that will improve what the town centre to enter Corby already underway or complete, including can offer to the people of Corby and the the reopening of Corby railway station, wider region. The aim of the framework • Create an ‘evening economy’ with bars and restaurants together with a redevelopment of the main retail offer is for Corby Central to become an active, component of such investment in East leisure centre as the first phase of long- substantial leisure offer and opening of the Corby East Midlands East Northamptonshire dynamic and vibrant heart for the town, Northamptonshire will be ensuring term regeneration plans for Rushden and International Pool. However in order In East Northamptonshire, the emerging offering a comprehensive range of • Create a modern mixed-use centre the protection and conservation of the the surrounding area. to ensure Corby achieves its vision, Local Development Framework10 sets new cultural, retail and entertainment with quality town centre residential historic character of many of the town significant resources are still required. out a range of policies to support the facilities. The diversity of uses envisaged areas and village centres. The development of this site would development of the area, as well as will add vibrancy and life to the area release additional development sites in • Strengthen the cultural offer focusing opportunities for the redevelopment and drive both the daytime and evening In East Northamptonshire masterplans the town, highlighted as an important on access and learning of the town centre. The south of economy have been produced for a number of the centre in North Northamptonshire, and East Northamptonshire District is district’s towns, all highlighting a range support wider regeneration of the town divided into two plan areas: the Three of specific projects for development. An through anticipated jobs growth. Towns (Rushden, Higham Ferrers emerging priority is the proposed £13m Town Centre Regeneration - Corby and Irthlingborough), and Raunds. A

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status

C1 Development of ‘Corby Cube’ as focus for community Town Centre CBC Complete Completed and open to public and public services. Regeneration October 2010 Town Centre Regeneration - East Northamptonshire

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status C2 Redevelopment of retail centre – quality Town Centre CBC/Land Ongoing Discussions ongoing shopping and leisure environments within an Regeneration Securities EN1 Development of Masterplan proposals Town Centre ENC 1-2 yr Rushden masterplan funded via FFM attractive urban setting. Regeneration

C3 Establishment of a Healthy Living Centre. Town Centre Northants NHS Complete Strategic Outline Case being EN2 Development of Leisure Centre and surrounding area Town Centre ENC 2-3 yr Planning permission sought, to be Regeneration December 2012 prepared Regeneration reviewed by GOEM

C4 Re-opening of Railway Station. Town Centre CBC/NNDC Completed Fully operational EN3 Regeneration Strategy Town Centre ENC 10 yr Being developed by ENC with Regeneration April 2009 Regeneration support from Princes Foundation for the Built Environment and C5 Redevelopment of Tresham College. Town Centre CBC/HCA TBD Preliminary planning interested people, local businesses Regeneration and organisations

9 www.corby.gov.uk/EnvironmentAndPlanning/Planning/Documents/06-03-21%20Corby%20Central%20Area%20Design%20Guidance-2nd%20draft.pdf 10 www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents.aspx?categoryID=856

www.letyourselfgrow.com 100 Town Centre Transformational Activity Town Centre Transformational Activity 101

South Northamptonshire for the 21st century through developing of Sponne School, and building on the a thriving, historic and expanded town town’s niche retail offer in the Towcester In South Northamptonshire masterplans centre - a hub for employment, shopping, Lanes area. These would all contribute for Towcester11 and Brackley12 have been professional and public services with the to enhancing the town’s role as a retail developed to support and enhance these market place at its heart. centre, with the redevelopment of Moat historic market towns. The Brackley Lane an ongoing priority that will provide Masterplan highlights activities to SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town A number of potential development high quality mixed use commercial, retail, iCon Centre for Sustainable Construction, Daventry Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town regenerate and support future growth zones are highlighted in the Towcester public and housing uses. in the town, whilst the masterplan for Masterplan, including redevelopment Towcester highlights the desire to secure of the Market Square, redevelopment the town’s position as a market town

Town Centre Regeneration - South Northamptonshire Town Centre Regeneration - Daventry

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status

SN1 Develop proposals of Towcester and Brackley Town Centre SNC 1-2 yr Draft Towcester Masterplan complete. D1 Delivery of WaterSpace project. Town Centre DDC TBA Design stage complete, planning masterplans Regeneration Brackley MP: draft going to cabinet in Regeneration application due 2010. Additional June for release for consultation resources to be sourced

SN2 Market Square development Town Centre SNC 1-2 yr Building work complete. On retail Regeneration units, 2 units have been let. 3 units remaining but close to signing D1a WaterSpace - “Daventry Descent” boat lift Town Centre DDC TBA Conceptual design complete. SN3 Re-development of Sponne School Town Centre SNC 5 + yr Longer term but still an aspiration Regeneration/ Implementation depends on securing Regeneration Tourism funding

SN4 Build upon niche retail offer Town Centre SNC 1-3 yr Supporting a number of initiatives D1b Town Centre Vision (TCV) Sites 3 & 6 - new mixed use Town Centre DDC 1-2 years Site master plan prepared and revised. Regeneration to better promote the market towns, scheme including residential, education, commercial Regeneration/ Currently in consultation. Planning including Economic Development (linked to iCon), community and public space, around Education application due 2010. Additional Strategy and Retail Study water. resources to be secured

SN5 Moat Lane redevelopment Town Centre SNC 1-3 yr All procurement of surrounding D2 Removal of barriers to retail regeneration, inc. Town Centre DDC TBA Ongoing Regeneration buildings is complete. Moat public reconfiguration of road infrastructure, and provision Regeneration realm and water-meadows complete of Daventry Library. and open. SNC expecting to relocate within 3 years D2 Removal of barriers to retail regeneration, including Town Centre DDC 1-3 years NCC Children’s & Young People’s reconfiguration of road infrastructure, and provision Regeneration (staged) service relocated to DDC Lodge Road of Daventry Library. offices as first stage of enabling proposals for the redevelopment of works, including the provision of public provision of new Library. Planning Daventry application for retail-led schemes strategically important sites in the town spaces. The vision for Daventry also The overall challenge for Daventry town on Daventry Town Centre Vision over the next 15 years. This document includes focusing on improving the retail sites 1 & 5 expected autumn 2010 centre can be summarised as managing (by Henry Boot developments, the is in support of the Town Centre Vision provision within the town. sustainably the impact of high levels of Council’s development partner). Work 2021 and looks to set out how the town on road changes to accommodate growth and meeting the needs of the development, new library and main will achieve targeted sustainable jobs and The Daventry I-Con will form a major town not only in the short-term but with development will follow in 2011/12 population growth. investment in the district, and will a view to anticipating and providing for become host to the Sustainable D3 The I-Con project, which will house the sustainable Town Centre iCon East 1-2 yr Construction underway. Focus long-term requirements and demands. The council’s investment priorities for Construction i-Net. In addition, the construction i-net and provide commercial and Regeneration Midlands / WNDC now on delivering programme and The Daventry Masterplan Interim Draft13, community space. maximising the benefits of the iCon further town centre development include building will house commercial units and adopted in December 2006, sets out and iNet model building on the WaterSpace project be a place for community and leisure use. how the town could be transformed, to deliver major new infrastructure presenting a series of innovative

11 www.southnorthants.gov.uk/planning_building/1173.htm 12 snclive.acadinfo.co.uk/planning_building/1439.htm 13 www.daventrydc.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/regeneration/daventry-masterplan/

www.letyourselfgrow.com 102 Rural Areas Next Steps 103

‘Regeneration will make our town centres more productive, innovative and enterprising. Fishmarket, Northampton SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town Centre Regeneration SNEAP: Town

Town Centre, Towcester

It will be essential that town Particular focus must also be placed element of this encompasses retail, centre development activities are on ensuring Town Centres are able to leisure and cultural employment activities Next Steps complementary and aligned to other support a wide mix of uses, highlighted and as such adequate employment SNEAP theme actions. For example as a preferred method of encouraging land provision for these uses must be it will be important to align any investment and sustainability in the allocated in the towns, combined with promotional activities with the wider SNEAP Employment Land Theme Paper residential and B use (offices) to better The SNEAP fully recognises The way the environment is planned, the noted town centre priority schemes. Northamptonshire Let Yourself Grow and The Strategic Employment Land help the county towns to attract and the importance of Town Centre designed, developed and maintained is The expected increase in the size and Brand, and public realm improvements Assessment (SELA). According to these, retain a wider variety of employment Regeneration in contributing key to achieving the visions of the town scale of interventions required to ensure centres, and transformational change these actions are truly transformational should be in keeping with maximising the county has not performed well, opportunities. to the sustainable economic access to the towns in line with the relative to national and regional levels is required in the delivery of the public will require a high level of partnership Transportation theme of the SNEAP. in non-B space use class growth. An growth of the county, and the realm to ensure Northamptonshire’s working across a broad range of creation of vibrant, attractive boroughs and districts are recognised stakeholders and sectors, ensuring high and dynamic town centres. nationally as having exceptional town quality development and a coherent centre environments, that support these and consistent approach to town centre The need for both public and private places as locations to live, work, visit and regeneration in Northamptonshire. Rural Areas investment in order to make this invest. happen is clear, and history shows that an approach to development that It is important that the actions and Northamptonshire benefits the remainder of the county, As such, any transformational actions incorporates a wide range of partners projects outlined above are given careful from a large number of smaller the ‘rural hinterlands’, the that take place across the main economic helps to create the most effective consideration, delivering short term countywide initiatives such as town towns and villages that stretch emphasis of development centres of the county will also need to opportunities for providing quality be mindful of the impact such activity leisure, retail, employment and housing centre management groups, while across rural areas of the should be focused on meeting could have on rural areas, both negative developments. continuing to prioritise investment in county, including areas such as local needs and the retention of and positive, and in terms not only Desborough, Rothwell, Burton basic services and facilities for of economic changes but social and environmental impacts too. Latimer, Rushden, Higham the community. The vision for Northamptonshire is to create truly sustainable communities. It is recognised that town Ferrers and Irthlingborough centre regeneration is only one part of this. The importance of actions undertaken in other core SNEAP and the rural service centres Regeneration in these areas is ongoing, and takes the form of a continuing strive themes must be considered in parallel and aligned to maximise resources. This is particularly true, given of Towcester, Oundle, Raunds, for improvement. changing economic, political and environmental climates. Northamptonshire needs to be pro-active in Thrapston and Brackley. In addressing these changes to ensure it meets its aim of being THE place to live, learn, visit and invest.

www.letyourselfgrow.com Context / Introduction 105

“Northamptonshire’s vision is to be an outstanding place to live, learn, visit and invest” SNEAP: Transportation

Context

To take the economic expansion of Northamptonshire forward in support of the national growth agenda, the SNEAP Project Board has identified six core themes as requiring new and better initiatives: Employment Land ~ Town Centre Regeneration ~ Education and Skills ~ Enterprise and Innovation ~ Transportation ~ Building the Brand. Each core theme requires transformational actions over and above continuing with actions that have been employed over recent years.

Sustainable Introduction Northamptonshire The key objective for the Transportation addressing issues of climate change and supporting a stronger and greener local theme of the Sustainable biodiversity. economy, will be critical in underpinning Economic Action Plan Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan the spatial and economic aspirations of (SNEAP) is to transform the county’s Northamptonshire has the aspiration of the county. transport infrastructure to drive and becoming the Best Place in England to (SNEAP) support long-term future growth. Such Grow; it will be an outstanding place to To meet these strategic priorities, some investments will help to transform the live, work, visit and invest. It will offer key interventions have already been local economy into one that is more diverse employment opportunities, and identified for the short- to medium- Transportation productive, innovative and enterprising. combine the best of urban living with an term, which provide a basis for future In essence, it is intended to create step- attractive rural environment. This will be investment and action, and a new changes in the county’s infrastructure, enhanced by a network of green spaces conversation with government, the and to create new processes that and a strategic biodiversity corridor. private sector and local communities. facilitate or enable growth and Traffic management will be improved on regeneration - not just in the creation Making this happen will require excellent the trunk roads, and a number of road of new businesses, but in creating more connectivity between homes, jobs, and improvements made, including proposals attractive places in which to live, work, the recreational and leisure opportunities for a new rapid transit system. Town visit and invest, both for residents, on offer. This means providing better centre regeneration will also be a key workers and visitors alike. transport facilities and options. focus, including as a priority action the However, we have to deliver this with redevelopment of a new modern railway Such activity requires a concerted effort the highest environmental credentials, station for Northampton and a new by all partners and stakeholders. The through lowering carbon emissions and town centre bus interchange to meet the Northamptonshire Arc proposals are a protecting the natural environment needs of our expanding population and response to this, setting out a strategic of the county. Providing leadership economy. framework for economic investment on responses to climate change and in areas including transportation, maintaining biodiversity, as well as

www.letyourselfgrow.com 106 SNEAP: Transportation www.letyourselfgrow.com achieve in the next 10 years without a infrastructure willbechallenging to Significant investmentinnewtransport prosperity in Northamptonshire. economic growth and delivering be a very real constraint for delivering of good transport links will potentially In the short- to medium-term, the lack travellers andvisitorsalike. travellers, shoppers, leisure travel for commuters, business transport services, improving technology and branding of delivery ofinformation,new infrastructure. It will embrace for investment in transport at providingthebestreturn Northamptonshire Arc, aimed initiatives through the number of co-ordinated will be an umbrella for a “Transforming Connectivity” Understanding thePotential forChange and are: delivery of Transforming Connectivity, congestion. These will form the pillars for increasing levelsoftrafficandworsening in order to reduce the adverse impact of needs tobedoneinanumberofways, targeted toprovidethemostbenefit.This spending will also need to be effectively on identified congestion ‘hotspots’. This with highways improvements focusing brought forward will need to be targeted strategic businesscase.Improvements • • •

road networkutilisingnew personalised travel planning programme ofimprovementsand travel bycarintroducingatargeted urban connectivity key focusontowncentresandinter- to useandbenefitfromthemwitha areas andpeoplewhoaremostlikely improvements sothattheyservethe Making better use of the existing Making betteruseoftheexisting Developing genuinealternativesto Planning publictransport Understanding thePotential forChange Northamptonshire. major infrastructure projects in significant challengetodelivering priorities and policies will present a and changingnationalregional to 2019, reductionsinfundinglevels to recognise that, in the period up It is essential however for all partners • •

accessible busandcoachinterchanges. region Northampton andthewidersub- 2014, serving the needs of new high-speedinter-cityrailservicein with theproposedintroductionofa quality, wellconnectedfacilitytotiein Northampton CastleStationasahigh is focused demand where network existing the on business facilitiesasthishasanimpact the locationofnewemploymentand technologies –lookingat Developing moreeffectiveand Developing anewandiconic Castle Station,Northampton

1 • • the countyby: the economicgrowthandprosperityof if not tackled, will be to seriously restrict The principal effects of this congestion, • • • • • traffic growthinEngland Northamptonshire has the highest rate of adverse affectoncongestion.Indeed, impact ofgrowthcontinuestohavean highways network for the county, the Despite planned improvements to the Road Network Planned TransportImprovements to bemostaffectedare: A43 and A45 in particular. Areas forecast where developmentisplanned,andthe be particularly focused on those areas Predictably, the additional congestion will between Kettering andCorby. between Daventry and Northampton, or some journeysby2021, forexample average itwilltake25%longertomake Added congestionwillmeanthaton of this. are taken to counteract the effects move around the area unless measures increasingly difficult and unpredictable to

Transport StrategyforGrowth,CabinetApproved, 10th September2007 economic viability accessibility ofsitesandreducing their new developments, byreducingthe deliveries andbusinesstravel existing localbusinesses, byaffecting Rushden Northampton Undermining thecompetitivenessof In andaroundCorby. Around Towcester Around Kettering The areaaroundWellingborough and To thesouthofDaventryand Compromising thefeasibilityofsome 1 . It will become 2019. Northamptonshire in the period up to included in the final submission for however nootherroadschemeswere links toWellingborough andKettering for inclusionintheRFA,including Northamptonshire were put forward spending review. Otherproposalsaround on the outcomes of the Government’s the RFA projects, will be dependent projects, along with the majority of however funding for both of these in Northamptonshire,wereincluded and the Corby A43 Link Road, both proposals fortheIshamBypass(A509) region. In the last prioritisation round for major transport projects in the Regional Assemblytoprioritisefunding devolved powers of the East Midlands for theEastMidlandswaspartof The RegionalFundingAllocation(RFA) this routearoundKettering. whole oftheA14,andwidening traffic management strategy for the Agency is developing a comprehensive to 4 lanes. Furthermore the Highways replacing apreviously-plannedwidening Management using new technology will also be associated Active Traffic the M1meetsM6andA14.There Northamptonshire toJunction19where extended from Junction 13 through In the longer-term, this may also be 10 and13tothesouthofcounty. changes to the M1 between Junctions which in the short-term will include Shoulder Running (HSR) programme, Government has announced a Hard On the national road network, the •

new developments. traffic movementresultingfrom to copewithplannedincreasesin existing infrastructurebeingunable development tohappendue Lengthening thetimetakenfor Planned Transport Improvements Planned TransportImprovements from developers. infrastructure thatwouldberequired the levelofcontributionstowards used to inform solutions and determine Council’s own trafficmodel,whichwillbe developed and this links into the County A transport model (VisSim) has been urban and through-routes for the county. constitute high-flowstrategicinter- strategy fortheA43andA45,which Agency areworkingcollaborativelyona The County Council and the Highways later inthisdocument. smarter travelmeasures, asdiscussed and LittleStanion.Thesewillfocuson ongoing new development at Priors Hall established in Corby as part of the In addition,Travel Centresarebeing at keyjunctions. linkages and improving bus prioritisation in Northampton for walking and cycling is beingusedtoprovideenhancements around Northampton.FurtherCIFmoney occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in and to givepriorityforbusesandahigh- will comprise junction improvements Northampton and Wellingborough. This rapid transit (BRT) proposal between (CIF) hasbeensecuredtodevelopabus the Community Infrastructure Fund encouraging modal shift. Money from capacity pressuresontheA45including Measures arerequiredtoimprove destinations and service provision. of travel to work patterns, shopping a close inter-urban relationship in terms Northampton and Wellingborough have Public Transport 107 SNEAP: Transportation 108 SNEAP: Transportation Transformational Actions www.letyourselfgrow.com provide a step-change in facilities with The newstationbuildingisexpectedto project lifecycle). stage (GRIPStage4–NetworkRail advanced and are now at outline design for improvements to the station have regeneration in its own right. Plans centre andprovidesasuitablesitefor development of Northampton town station buildingisessentialforthe to delivering economic growth. A new out of date building adding barriers capacity during peak hours, with an Northampton Station is already at Recent studies have shown that Rail support suchgrowth: across Northamptonshire to change onthescalerequired interventions that could deliver some ofthetransformational presents. Below summarises opportunities that growth the addedchallengesand remains a vital need to address across thecounty, there underway and in development transportation and connectivity planned improvementsto Despite many ongoing and stations. To meet medium-term growth which maybenefitNorthamptonshire Line are planned for delivery by 2014, improvements ontheMidlandMain been completed,andjourneytime the West CoastMainLinehasrecently needs to promote further. Upgrading of a benefit to business which the county services atStPancras Internationalis Ease ofconnectionwithEurostar benefits inNorthamptonshire. potential to reap significant economic and frequenciesimprovedthereisthe to Northamptonshirecanbereduced Coast MainLineservices.Ifjourneytimes ‘loop’ line and bypassed by the fast West Northampton, whichislocatedona services. This is a particular issue for destinations that are served by faster times fromsomemoredistant compare unfavourably with journey and London and other major cities frequencies between Northamptonshire Current rail journey times and itself. opportunities and growth on the site option, whilealsoprovidingemployment well asmakingrailamoreattractive improved capacityforcommutersas offices on adjacent land. This will provide facilities such as hotels, shops and station on Black Lion Hill, with supporting a new, more visual and more accessible the aspirationsofcounty” greener local economy will be critical in achievingbiodiversity and supporting a stronger and “Responding to climate change, maintaining for thecounty. which canbeusedtoimprove services HS2 has the potential to release capacity removing trainsfromexistingroutes, in Northamptonshire.However, by that there will be a station on HS2 and theenvironment.Itisnotexpected impact on local amenities, landscape finally chosen minimises the adverse is aneedtoensurethattheroute opposed by the County Council. There through SouthNorthamptonshire,is current publishedroute,whichpasses the projectissupportedinprincipal, serve the north of the country. Although West Midlands, followed by extensions to stage of HS2 to link London and the the currentproposalsareforfirst While subject to consultation and review, and new employment opportunities. national connectivity, generating growth project withtheintentionofimproving Line (termedHS2)isanationallyled The provision of a new High Speed Rail facilitate improved services. reducing CO2 emissions and which may a currently busy stretch of road, thereby which willreducetrafficcongestionon is a further possibility for the future, Corby. Electrification north of for more frequent services north of with the potential for additional track capacity on the aspirations, there is likely to be a need Transformational Actions Ref T6 T5 T4 T3 T2 T1 north. and theimprovementofservice tothe Corby stationanditsservicetoLondon Secure provisionofasecondlineserving Kettering andWellingborough. frequent servicestostationssuchas Examine thepotentialofrestoringmore investment. particularly asacatalystfornewbusiness by theconnectionstoEurostarservices, Optimise thepotentialbenefitsprovided West CoastandMidlandMainLines. Northamptonshire toLondononboththe minutes) perhourfrom (with journeytimesoflessthan40 Secure aminimumoftwofastservices amenity, landscape,andtheenvironment. the potentialadverseaffectonlocal seeking tosecurearoutewhichminimises connections forNorthamptonshirewhilst HS2 proposaltosecurebetterinter-city Support theopportunitiesprovidedby building onBlackLionHill. shops, restaurantsandthenewstation and delivery. Developmenttoinclude seek outbestmethodsofimplementation on developingproposalsforCastleStation, Work withWNDC,NBCandNetworkRail Action Theme Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Lead CBC Trains, NCC, East Midland Network Rail, Trains East Midlands Network Rail, NCC, BCW, KBC, CBC, NBC NCC, BCW, KBC Train Operators Network Rail, NCC, DfT, NCC Rail NBC, Network NCC, WNDC, Black LionHillBusInterchange,Northampton Timescale 2016+ 2012+ 2010- 2014 Beyond 2021 Beyond 2014+ Transformational Actions Status 2010. of Corbyreviewlate Improved servicesNorth Kettering Wellingborough and Improved servicesfor Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing design stage GRIP Stage4–detailed 109 SNEAP: Transportation 110 Transformational Actions Transformational Actions 111

‘It is essential that local residents are able to have good access SNEAP: Transportation to jobs, education and public SNEAP: Transportation services using a sustainable transport system’

Ref Action Theme Lead Timescale Status

T7 Support the construction of a new town Transportation NCC, NBC, Legal 2014 Technical work Public Transport Need travel, but cannot accurately determine A recent TravelStyle analysis of the area centre bus interchange to complement the & General underway whether public transport will actually classified residential population based Grosvenor Centre redevelopment project Transport and effective connectivity meet travel needs. An alternative on demographics and use of particular and replace the currently dilapidated between towns and neighbouring areas approach based on profiling the social modes of travel. In the Northamptonshire Greyfriars. will play a crucial role in enabling the characteristics indicates where the people Arc, those groups which have the highest regeneration of many of our urban who are most likely to benefit from public propensity to use public transport centres. A key priority for all partners is T8 As part of the aim to make Northampton Transportation NBC, WNDC, Ongoing Technical work transport live, now and in the future. make up a significant proportion of the Town a walkable town/city, priority NCC underway the regeneration of Northampton as the populations in Northampton, Corby, pedestrian and cycling routes have been County Town, and the provision of an A recent Transport Needs Index assessed Daventry and Wellingborough. Within developed enhanced central bus station. The current the relative need for affordable public these areas, there is a wide geographical Greyfriars bus station presents itself transport services, taking into account spread. These characteristics confirm as run down, dilapidated and in need factors such as car ownership, income that in meeting the SNEAP aspirations, of significant investment to make it a and whether people live in urban or rural the Northamptonshire Arc should prove welcoming environment, that is efficient, Tackling Growth in Travel by Car and Avoiding Journeys to Work and Mounting Peak areas. Effective route planning can mean a fertile market for improved public well designed and provides an effective that inter-urban routes are directed transport services. Congestion Congestion service for the public. through areas of need, which improves Addressing travel in and between towns in Northamptonshire The table below shows where people are travelling to, by car their connectivity and also viability of This complements the promotion of is clearly important and a key focus for investment and new to work, every day. It demonstrates that in many cases, people The aspiration for wider redevelopment the routes. The key areas that need to be electrification of the Midland Main Line measures. However, analysis does also indicate the potential for travel relatively short distances within their towns to go to and expansion of the Grosvenor served if the benefits of improved public (MML) and other strategic interventions shifting travel to more sustainable modes across and within the work, particularly in the larger towns of Northampton and Shopping Centre gives an opportunity transport are to be maximised include: in the County. The NAT network would towns themselves, particularly the larger towns. Corby. to provide a new modern, convenient provide modern technology, mass and safe facility that is an anchor for a transit links between the main urban contemporary public transport offer for • Central and eastern centres (including town centres) and the town. Northampton; growth locations and transform internal • Areas in the east of Daventry; Town Between Towns Within Each Town From Outside Northants connectivity. It would also help to ensure In keeping with the nature of the SNEAP, • Areas in the west of that the benefits of new investment are Corby 37% 41% 22% transport modelling suggests that Wellingborough; ‘locked in’. Daventry 33% 31% 35% alternative methods of approaching • The north and south sides of public transport provision in general can Kettering; and Kettering 42% 33% 26% be adopted, utilising a more targeted • Most parts of Corby. Northampton 35% 44% 21% approach. Rushden 45% 32% 23% Transport models predict demand for Thrapston 49% 16% 35% Towcester 46% 21% 33% Wellingborough 46% 29% 25%

Source: Census 2001- Journey to work trips by car

www.letyourselfgrow.com 112 SNEAP: Transportation programme). www.letyourselfgrow.com 3 2 • • • stemming fromtheseresults: There aresomeimportantimplications

Figures based on NRTF (National Road Traffic Forecast) figures local adjustment,www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/smarterchoices/smarterchoiceprogrammes/ with local adjustments applied using a figure from TEMPRO (National Trip End Model changes couldbemade towns demonstratedhowsignificant programmes insustainabletravel on theeffectsofsmarterchoice study byPeterborough CityCouncil reducing carbasedcommuting.A measures couldbeeffectivein promotion of‘smarterchoices’ better publictransportand the largerones, indicatingthat made within the towns, particularly larger thetowns; and thisproportiondecreasesforthe between townsinNorthamptonshire the journeys to work are made trips aremadebycar; between thesesothatfewerof strengthen publictransportlinks which providesanopportunityto between townsinNorthamptonshire There isasignificantamountoftravel A significantproportionofcartripsare However, inallcaseslessthanhalf 2 ; and indicates an increase of car commuting in Northamptonshire. This projection anticipated homes and jobs growth to 2025, takingintoaccount The base case was projected forward 8,000 trips per day over the period. Northamptonshire has risen by almost car commuting between large towns in usage in the county. This indicated that Arc analysisoftransportmethodsand to 2007 aspartoftheNorthamptonshire split asof2001 havebeenextrapolated Absolute levels of commuting and modal •

of the Northamptonshire Arc. populations, whichformthebackbone towns, andinornear newandgrowing for employmentwithintheexisting residential developmentandprovision and jobs, andwouldconcentratenew balanced growthinhouses planning policies.Thiscouldsecure implementation ofthelanduse level ofcommutingthrough is also potential to reduce the overall outside thecountyindicatesthatthere journey toworktripsfrom The significant proportion of number of trips remaining at over 40,000. increase would be significant with the with these natural checks on car use, the affordability ofcaruse.However, even impacting on the attractiveness and increase in congestion, therefore further through higheroilpricesovertimeand likely duetoincreasedcostoftravelling transport use. Further limits are also of areas that require different levels of of peoplemovingintodifferenttypes will also affect these issues, with flows is likely. OtherDemographicinfluences reduction in the level of future car use an ageingpopulation)meaningasmall car use, with demographic trends (e.g. Further trendswillinfluencethelevelof so is still broadly consistent. relates toalessextensiveareaofstudy, System) programmehaveindicated,but (Delivering a Sustainable Transport studies being undertaken for the DaSTS higher than some other concurrent congestion andjourneytimes.Thisis a consequent significant increase in of morethan47,000tripsperday, with Transformational Actions Train Station,Corby Ref T14 T13 T12 T11 T10 T9 improvements (incFlore/Weedon bypass) Daventry –Northamptonroad Towcester A5Bypass ring road Northwest bypass/Northamptonorbital Promenade/St Peter’s Way including HorsemarketandVictoria Changes tothecharacterofkeyroutes gyratory Improvements toPloughJunctionandits Government investmentforimprovement the strategicnationalnetworkandsecure M4 andA14asan‘infrastructuregap’in Promote theA34/A43/A45between Action Theme Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Transportation Lead DDC NCC, WNDC, SNC, HA WNDC, NCC, Bloor Homes Persimmon / NBC NCC, WNDC, NCC NBC, WNDC, NBC WNDC, NCC, Agency NCC, Highways Timescale 2016 Transformational Actions is longtermaspiration Study underway, delivery on urbanextension Delivery willbedependent developments andstudy dependent onother Long termsaspiration, Technical workunderway Technical workunderway studies. completing A43/45 Ongoing -HAcurrently Status ? 113 SNEAP: Transportation 114 SNEAP: Transportation www.letyourselfgrow.com implementation of‘smartchoice’ Finally, if more rigorous and wider likely totakeupopportunitiesifprovided. particularly in areas identified as being travel measures to the wider population, exist tospreadthebenefitsofsmart developments, however opportunities to travel plans attached to major Smart travel is an integral element public transport. the benefits of investment in better these areas will help lock in and enhance targeted ‘smarttravel’programmesin better public transport. Developing areas thatwouldbenefitmostfrom Northampton, therearesynergieswith travel’; in some places, such as central propensity tomakeuseof‘smart Key partsofthe countyexhibita shopping. teleworking, teleconferencing and home car clubsandsharingschemes, transport information and marketing, travel plans, utilising betterpublic measures, such as school and workplace will useawiderangeofsmartertravel levels indicate the likelihood that they Profiles of current and future population Demand Management Smarter Travel & Active Ref T15 town centresandinter-urbanroutes. networks inNorthamptonshire,particularly on theexistingstrategicandlocalroad management, reliabilityandresilience technologies tosecurebettertraffic Utilise thepotentialprovidedbynew Action service information at stops and would public transportinformation,including would be linked with parallel systems for be installedatcongestionhotspots.This and trafficqueuedetectionloopscould including Variable MessageSigns(VMS), Queue Warning andSigningsystems, Detection, Incident Detection, Automatic Measures suchasAutomaticVehicle media. to travellersthroughavarietyofdigital transport informationsystem,delivered with a similar comprehensive public This will be combined and integrated movement more smooth and efficient. an area-wideapproachtomakingtraffic consideration will be given to developing roads inNorthamptonshire,serious problems of congestion on other To help overcome the identified Northamptonshire Arccouldbehalved. and withaparticularfocusonthe for journeys to work within the county how theabsolutegrowthincaruse were implemented. This demonstrates the increaseresultingifnomeasures in peakcartrips-effectivelyhalving cycling, and reduce the overall growth increase the mode share of walking and developments, this could significantly county, ratherthanfocusedonnew measures were implemented across the Theme Transportation Lead Councils District/Borough Agency and NCC Highways in majorurbanareas. inter-urban routes across the county and the existing road network and on the key This will ensure a more efficient use of programme of demand management. and systemsthatcouldsupportsucha to takeadvantageofnewtechnologies Northamptonshire is well positioned In meetingthesechallenges, of preferreddiversionaryroutes. upcoming accidents and advising them current service conditions and drivers of by informing public transport users of service delivery. Thiswillbeachieved accidents, as well as providing better significant reductions in both delays and supplied would assist in delivering and broadcastmedia.Information utilising tools such as the internet system itself and other digital media, the travellingpublic,boththrough actively used by and disseminated to technology wouldbeanalysedand The data collected by this new junctions. message sign information at specific in additionbestrategicdiversionary locations onthenetwork.Therewould and Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) at strategic control room using remote telemetry These wouldbemonitoredfromacentral also be available through other media. Timescale Transformational Actions 2016 from 2010/11 implementation Approvals and Status ‘DaSTS’ goals. The findings indicate that been lookedatagainsttheGovernment Potential options and solutions have network and identified problem corridors. have analysedgrowthonthetransport A series of studies and investigations service. its scope, its operation and its quality of the inter-urban bus network, including significant potential for improvements to Transport Strategyindicatesthatthereis Furthermore theMKSMInter-Urban Transit between key towns in the county. evaluated the possibility of Bus Rapid Northamptonshire County Council has Previous workbyconsultantsfor modes also essential. investment, with developments in other infrastructure deficits through targeted needs ofthecountyandexisting programme of works addressing the have to form part of the overall Road improvementswill,ofnecessity, for thosewithoutregularaccesstoacar. provides crucial choice and independence providing an alternative to the car. This a sustainable transport system as well as jobs, education and public services using residents are able to have good access to employment. It is essential that local by inadequate facilities and access to ensure thatgrowthisnotconstricted Appropriate transport infrastructure will Inter and Intra-urban transport trips arehighbetweentowns. Wellingborough where travel to work in Rushden, Thrapston, Towcester and to secure an improved employment offer the towns. SNEAP should also be looking employment is based around the edge of grow, giventhatmuchoftheexisting Corby, and more so as they continue to larger towns such as Northampton and potential toplayanimportantrolewithin impact on inter-urban travel but has the Rapid transit could make a significant Transit (NAT) network. of a high quality Northamptonshire Arc not be possible. This is the development without which it is believed success will its impact on the transport network, in demandfortravel,andmanaging for addressing the forecast increase identified whichactsasafoundation However, one project has been in public transport needed. no single project offers the step change thus easing the congestion on many thus easingthecongestionon many transportation ofgoodsandservices, reduce theneedforbothphysical services fromhome.Thiswillhelpto numbers ofpeoplecanworkandaccess reducing the need to travel as increasing up-to-the minutetravelinformationand Northamptonshire, supporting delivery of be vital to transforming connectivity in Improved communicationsnetworkswill Communications Connectivity investment tothearea” development, and attract new local ambitions for growth and will helpcountytorealise communications technologies “New and emerging an office. beyond theconventionalboundaries of of employment opportunities to exist styles, makes it easier for a diverse range of changingworkpatterns, habitsand Northamptonshire which, in a period to both urban and rural areas of and efficientbroadbandfacilities Such a service would provide fast technology acrossNorthamptonshire. broadband andcommunications would ensure access to next generation the potentialfora‘wirelesscounty’that and Innovation theme paper examines county faces.InparticulartheEnterprise closely to the connectivity issues the areas inotherThemePapers thatlink The SNEAP examines some potential area. and help attract new investment to the ambitions forgrowthanddevelopment, technologies, thecountycanrealiselocal new and emerging communications infrastructures that support these. Using problems and barriers, and providing innovations and solutions to connectivity knowledge-based, technological Northamptonshire willrelyonembracing The future economic prosperity of awareness ofenvironmentalissues. the carbon emissions and helping to raise travel ontheenvironment,minimising routes, and help to reduce the impact of Transformational Actions 115 SNEAP: Transportation 116 SNEAP: Transportation driver of: communication and connectivity as a of technology and innovation in more depthandhighlightstherole www.letyourselfgrow.com 4 are already some bus priority measures urban routesandontheX4route.There real time bus information is provided on provide bus priority where possible, and Some signalsarebeingupgradedto management. traffic control centre to provide efficient the County Council operates a centralised sequencing, depending on demand, and signals toprovidethemostefficient improved controls which manage traffic the towncentres, have,wherepossible, Northamptonshire, particularlywithin these improvements.Urbanareasin are alreadyunderwaytocontinue in recent years and several projects increasing priorityforthecounty better transportation has been an Linking bettercommunicationswith • • • Beyond Walls The government publication ‘Working

Ref T16 Working BeyondWalls, 2008:www.ogc.gov.uk/transforming_government_workplaces_working_beyond_walls.asp infrastructure theyneed. work environmentandthetechnology by offeringthemagoodquality damage totheenvironment resources, and producelesswasteand and workingforstaffthatusefewer want the channelsandinplacesthey Attracting thebestqualityworkforce Creating sustainablewaysofliving Bringing servicestocitizensthrough investment. impact onemploymentopportunitiesand technology withconnectivity, andthe Examine linkagesofcommunications Action 4 ’ looks at this issue in ’ looksatthisissuein Centre. will be required to be served by a Travel transport, alllargenewdevelopments modal shift from car to other forms of Transport Strategy for Growth of a 20% originally set in the Northamptonshire 106 agreements. To help reach the target contributions obtained through Section in Corby, funded from developer Travel Centres are also being provided traffic inthetown. use these more actively to help manage safety messages, andthereispotentialto they areusedtodisplaygeneralroad accidents. However, for much of the time sign roadwork’s and notify drivers about (VMS) inNorthampton,whichareusedto There are already variable message signs upgrades. route into the town with pedestrian Marefair-Gold Street provides a bus-only Lion Hill outside the Castle Station. The Road andamajorenhancementatBlack for example the bus lanes on Weedon that havebeenprovidedinNorthampton, are already some bus priority measures urban routesandontheX4route.There real time bus information is provided on provide bus priority where possible, and Some signalsarebeingupgradedto upgrades. route into the town with pedestrian Marefair-Gold Street provides a bus-only Lion Hill outside the Castle Station. The Road andamajorenhancementatBlack for example the bus lanes on Weedon that havebeenprovidedinNorthampton, Theme Innovation / Enterpriseand Transportation Lead NCC /UoNNEL Rapid Transit (BRT)proposals. with theimplementationofBus and systematic basis, as will be the case yet to be developed on a comprehensive measures forpublictransport,butthisis to junctions have often included priority enhancements or general improvements Some of the pedestrian/public realm implemented. Club start up, although this is yet to be support for the establishment of a Car Similarly, developer funding has provided smaller developments. act as an on-line ‘virtual travel centre’ for by a travel centre website, which also will established. Thisisbeingcomplemented habits and travel patterns become modal shift can be encouraged before residents movingintothearea,sothat The services will be available before all local businesses, services and amenities. together with details on the location of personalised travel planning services, information on school transport options, local maps of cycling and walking paths, other activities. They will also provide permits, car clubs, cycle hire, walking and and sales, applications forparking timetables, stops, ticketing information choices, including public transport routes, with informationaboutsmartertravel residents of the new developments These Travel Centres willprovide Timescale Transformational Actions 2016 from 2010/11 implementation Approvals and Status changes intravelbehaviourisdeveloped. cost-effective meansofdeliveringreal groups, willbeusedtoensurethemost and tailoring messages to specific target Northamptonshire Arc as a travel brand techniques, centredondevelopingthe to personal travel planning. Marketing developing a comprehensive approach availability oftravelinformation,and improvements to the quality and be delivered quickly. These include Relatively low-costinterventionscan things can be done sooner. inception to completion. However, some improvements will take 7-10 years from the key highway and public transport years andbeyond.Similarly, todeliver stretches out over the next 10-15 deliver prosperity to Northamptonshire process. Securing economic growth to transportation willnotbeashort-term Transforming connectivity and Routes toImplementation Ref T17 LondonRoad/Ransome Road • Westcott Way Improvements, Corby; • Walking andcyclingimprovementsin • Connect2cyclingimprovementsin • EastNorthantsGreenway; • Town centreaccessimprovementsin • SandyLaneImprovement; • NorthamptontoWellingborough BRT • NorthamptonModalShiftScheme; • KingsthorpeCorridorBusPriority*; • A509IshamBy-pass*; • Publicrealmimprovementsin • A43CorbyLinkRoad*; • Action and Kettering andWellingborough; Northampton; Wellingborough andKettering; (NAT); Northampton; Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and a specific programme and budget for will alsobedeveloped,togetherwith and financially)toprogresstheproposals and securing resources (both politically the schemes, engagingwithstakeholders A communications plan for promoting the NAT. for the initial implementation stages of this willprovideadetailedbusinesscase network willcommenceSummer2010, routes to implementation of the NAT Further detailed work on identifying the the finance can be secured for them. for deliveringtheproposals, andwhere options for determining cost implications the valueformoneyaspectsofNAT, the work provides a basis for evaluating forecasts developedinotheron-going Northamptonshire. Future demand and smarter travel concepts for development of new public transport articulated thatwilldriveforwardthe A visionandobjectivesneedtobe Transportation Theme Councils and Borough NCC /District Lead includes: document. This£160millionprogramme in deliveringthestrategysetoutthis providing anumberofearlysuccesses will provide an important starting point, underway in Northamptonshire. These Transformational Projects already There areanumberoftransport-related finance thatwillbeinvestigated. and this will be one potential source of the Government’s Urban Challenge Fund, is inlinewiththeprinciplesunderlining However, the balanced approach here harnessed for spending on infrastructure. of developer contributions that can be industry have also reduced the level of the recession on the construction on the public purse, and the effects There are presently significant constraints approvals. consents and Government funding the worknecessarytosecureplanning Timescale Transformational Actions From 2010 funding) to availabilityof as *aresubject schemes shown (Progress of development. to mitigate S.106 monies Plan, and Transport grants, Local Government Central including funding, variety of through a delivered Projects being Status 117 SNEAP: Transportation 118 SNEAP: Transportation Next Steps www.letyourselfgrow.com these changestoensure it meetsitsaimofbeingTHEplacetolive,learn, visitandinvest. economic, political and environmentalmust beconsideredinparallelandalignedtomaximise resources.Thisisparticularlytrue,givenchanging climates. Northamptonshiretransportation is needs only tooneThe be part visionpro-active of this.for Northamptonshirein The addressing importance ofis actionsto create undertaken truly sustainable in otherArc concept, communities. coresets out a significantSNEAP themes It whichis builds recognised on the Northamptonshire that The transportation theme of the SNEAP, outlined inthisdocument. pursue the transformational actions approvals. Thiswillbeakeydriverto the necessary funding and consent progressing projects, as well as securing reports to the Board and is charged with Capital ProgrammeDeliveryUnit.This The work of the CPDB is supported by the SNEAP. including some aspects of the the Northamptonshire Arc, be brought forward through many of the projects that will will oversee the development of funders and other partners. This County Councilincludingkey (CPDB) has been set up by the Programme Delivery Board will bedeveloped,aCapital schemes and others that To ensure delivery of these identify indetail: is robust. This will require more work to benefits on which this analysis is based to confirm that the estimate of costs and Further work also needs to be undertaken priorities inthisrespect. SNEAP highlightsanumberofthese priorities and funding streams. The investment andtobetteraligndelivery the private sector to bring forward will needtoworkmoreeffectivelywith and other public sector funding. Partners the increasingpressureonGovernment This will be a challenge to deliver given so. looking aheadoverthenext15yearsor programme of measures and investment • •

on travelinthearea the effectsofmeasuresproposed requiring morein-depthmodellingof connectivity inNorthamptonshire, how muchthesewouldcost The waysinwhichthistransforms The measurestobetakenforwardand regenerating oururbancentres areas will play a crucial role in between towns and neighbouring Transport and effective connectivity 1 •

alongside anyoutputsfromthiswork. allow this strategy to be considered presently being undertaken, and will Sustainable Transport Strategy”studies options within the “Delivering a being used currently to develop future wholly consistentwiththeapproaches This will be done in a manner which is

of: The effectsofthemeasuresinterms 2. 5. 4. 3. .

economic benefits impacts ontheenvironment, how thestrategywillimprove how improvementsin benefits fromsafertraveland particularly intermsofreducing economy and widereffectsonthelocal avoidance ofcongestion, overall. quality oflifeinNorthamptonshire equal community will helpachieveafairerandmore promoting healthierlifestyles transport emissions ofcarbondioxidefrom Next Steps through accessibility

the Images supplied courtesy of WNDC / NNDC / NEL / NCC

Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited Enterprise Limited 30 Billing Road Northampton NN1 5DQ

01604 609 393 www.northamptonshireenterprise.ltd.uk