Northampton Longer Term Growth Options Study FINAL REPORT MARCH 2007 PREPARED BY EDAW WITH ATKINS AND GVA GRIMLEY 2 | NORTHAMPTON LONGER TERM GROWTH OPTIONS STUDY Contents Page 1. Introduction 4 2. Approach 10 3. The Land Use Budget 14 4. Components of a Long Term Spatial Vision 28 5. Sustainable Planning and Design Principles 42 6. Thematic Scenarios 52 7. Land Suitability Assessment 62 8. Potential Options for Growth 96 9. Implementation 126 10. Conclusions and Next Steps 140 Appendices 146 Appendix A – Sustainability Appraisal 148 Appendix B – Key Stakeholder Feedback 162 Appendix C – Referenced Transport Documents 186 EDAW PLC PLANNING, DESIGN AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORLDWIDE NORTHAMPTON LONGER TERM GROWTH OPTIONS STUDY | 3 EDAW PLC PLANNING, DESIGN AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORLDWIDE 4 | NORTHAMPTON LONGER TERM GROWTH OPTIONS STUDY 1. Introduction 1.1 DEVELOPING A GROWTH STRATEGY FOR NORTHAMPTON Northampton has been identified by the Government as a major town suitable for accommodating significant growth in new dwellings and jobs over the next 20 to 25 years. Growing Northampton is likely to bring many benefits for local communities, for example increased economic investment, new and improved infrastructure, and access to a diversity of housing. These benefits may only be realised, however, if growth occurs in a sustainable way. Infrastructure provision needs to occur ahead of or in step with the development of new housing and provision of employment opportunities. It is also important to ensure that future development respects the local environs of Northampton; ensuring its natural features and cultural identity, and those of surrounding settlements, are not lost. This therefore warrants a holistic and integrated approach to determining how and where Northampton should grow. Daventry District, Northampton Borough and South Northamptonshire (the Councils) are working together with Northamptonshire County Council to prepare a joint Core Strategy for West Northamptonshire. The Core Strategy is being prepared in accordance with national policy, the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS 8) for the East Midlands (Review 2006) and the Milton Keynes and South Midlands (MKSM) Sub-Regional Strategy (2005). The aim is effectively to integrate the Core Strategy into each Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF). EDAW, WS Atkins and GVA Grimley were commissioned by the Councils in August 2006 to undertake a study to identify the longer term growth options for Northampton. The first stage of this study has involved determining the ‘baseline position’. Through analysing and reviewing existing policies and best practice guidance (in relation to population, housing, environment, economy and employment, transport, utilities and community infrastructure) the principles for how growth may take place were established. 1.2 PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT The purpose of this report is twofold. First, it is to explain the methodology for identifying the most sustainable directions for growth. Secondly, it is to provide the strategic rationale for growing Northampton through building an evidence base for the Joint Core Strategy. It is intended that the outcomes of this report will inform potential growth options for public consultation in 2007. 1.3 STUDY OBJECTIVES The study’s objectives are: x To review the housing baseline position as set out in the Northampton Housing Background Paper in order to verify the residual housing requirement for the period to 2021 and to 2026. x To obtain agreement to the housing baseline position with the members of the Study Steering Group. x To collect baseline information on the factors which could influence the location and form of development. x To undertake an assessment of the study area against sustainability criteria. x To identify the implementation implications of growth options, including availability and need for strategic infrastructure. EDAW PLC PLANNING, DESIGN AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORLDWIDE NORTHAMPTON LONGER TERM GROWTH OPTIONS STUDY | 5 x To evaluate the options for the most sustainable direction or directions of longer-term growth in relation to the town of Northampton. x To recommend an appropriate boundary for the Northampton Implementation Area. x To demonstrate how the specific requirements for growth in the NIA as set out in RSS8 can be met. 1.4 KEY FINDINGS FROM THE BASELINE REVIEW The key findings from the review of baseline information are summarised below. More detailed findings are set out in the Long Term Growth Options for Northampton Baseline Report (November 2006). 1.4.1 Housing The MKSM Sub-Regional Strategy sets a target of 169,800 new homes to be for delivered between 2001 - 2021. Of the 169,800 new homes, 30,000 of them were targeted for the NIA with an annual build rate of 1,500 new dwellings, which is variable over 5 year periods. It must be noted however that since the publication of the Sub-Regional Strategy the figure of 30,000 has been quashed by a successful High Court Challenge to the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS8). The High Court Challenge did not affect the longer-term planning assumption in the SRS which identifies a further 17,500 dwellings in the decade 2021-2031 as an uncommitted planning assumption subject to future review. Following technical work undertaken by Baker Associates (November 2006) on behalf of the Regional Assembly and Northamptonshire County Council, replacement figures were issued for public consultation in December 2006. The proposals endorse the MKSM Panel’s recommended figure of 31,500 new dwellings between 2001 and 2021 for the NIA, and add a further 8,875 for the period 2021 to 2026. In line with Government policy, a sequential approach should be taken to identifying the appropriate location for new dwellings. This means that the growth of Northampton will most likely be accommodated through more efficient use of land within the urban area. Northampton Borough Council’s Urban Housing Capacity report highlights that there are a number of sites that may potentially be developed, reflecting the special circumstances found in Northampton associated with former industrial uses. However, it is unlikely that the majority of growth required to be delivered in the longer term can be accommodated within the existing urban area and thus there will be a requirement for outward growth. This outward growth must be delivered sensitively and the selection of land must be soundly based on sustainability principles and the key values of the community. 1.4.2 Environment – Natural, Built and Human In order to plan for future services provision and to better understand housing needs it is important to be aware of the current population profile and how it could change in the future. Planning for a diversity of needs both through the provision of a range of affordable housing choices and services will be crucial to Northampton’s success as an attractive place to live, work and visit. The area in and around Northampton has a rich variety of natural and built environmental assets. It has an abundance of parkland and open spaces of recreational and biodiversity value, important areas of woodland and landscapes, sites of historical importance – all of which are a major contributor to people’s good quality of life. The rural character setting and the valley of the River Nene are distinct environmental features that will need careful examination through the growth option process. The development of new communities should therefore seek to preserve and enhance quality open space, natural and built assets, areas of environmental significance and Northampton’s special landscape. From a high-level analysis of both natural and built environments it may be concluded that the main constraints and opportunities for development in the Northampton area include: EDAW PLC PLANNING, DESIGN AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORLDWIDE 6 | NORTHAMPTON LONGER TERM GROWTH OPTIONS STUDY x The flood risk areas associated with the River Nene and its tributaries. These areas are also valued for their high quality landscape, biodiversity and potential for mineral extraction (although it is acknowledged that the continuation of this use is not necessarily encouraged). x The designated wildlife areas to the south east and the north of Northampton urban area, along with other smaller wildlife areas sprinkled around and within the urban area. x Within the urban area, the open spaces and green corridor networks that are of recreational as well as biodiversity value. Although, it is also acknowledged that some spaces could be better maintained and used. x The large tracts of high quality agricultural land to the west, south east and north of Northampton. x The available landfill sites need to be safeguarded from development of non-waste uses. x The need to adequately safeguard and enhance archaeological sites and their monuments and their settings. x The potentially contaminated brownfield land that could be costly to clean up for development. x The opportunity to review the function and identity of the settlement structure with a view to improving the role of Northampton within the Region. 1.4.3 Economy and Employment West Northamptonshire has a relatively healthy economic and employment base with above average labour market participation, both in terms of economic activity and actual employment rates. The greatest proportion of employment is seen in public administration, education and health in Northampton and South Northamptonshire and in distribution in Daventry. In order to become regionally and globally