The North Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit has published the Pre-Submission Joint Core Strategy (JCS) for a six-week consultation.

The consultation runs from January 26^th to 5.00 p.m March 9^th 2015.

Please note that an errata sheet has been published in relation to the boundary of the Rockingham Enterprise Area

What is the Joint Core Strategy?

The North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy (JCS) is the strategic Part 1 Local Plan for Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering and Wellingborough. It outlines a big picture to be developed in more detail through the Part 2 Local Plans prepared by the District and Borough Councils and by Neighbourhood Plans prepared by Neighbourhood Planning Groups. The JCS is prepared by the Joint Planning Unit (JPU), reporting to the North Northamptonshire Joint Committee made up of elected representatives from the District, Borough and County Councils.

Why is the Plan being reviewed?

The first Core Spatial Strategy (CSS) prepared by the Joint Committee was adopted in 2008 and covered the period 2021. It has been reviewed to take account of progress and to plan forward to 2031. The review has also responded to the Government’s reforms to the planning system, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the revocation of Regional Plans. These have given greater scope for the JCS to respond to local needs and aspirations, although it must still be based on sound evidence and meet objectively assessed development needs and infrastructure requirements. Upon its adoption the JCS will supersede the 2008 CSS in its entirety.

What consultation has been undertaken in the preparation of the Plan?

The JCS is the culmination of many years work, and consultation at a number of stages. The consultation undertaken, and how it has informed the JCS is set out in the Statement of Consultation.

How to comment on the Pre-Submission Plan?

This is the Plan that the North Northamptonshire Joint Committee considers to be sound.

The Plan is accompanied by a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) which considers the social, environmental and economic effects of the Plan, the reasonable alternatives that have been considered in its development, and its contribution towards delivering sustainability objectives. An Equality Impact Assessment has been prepared to ensure that the JCS does not discriminate against communities or groups.  A Habitats Regulations Assessment has also been undertaken to consider the impact of the Plan on the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area (SPA). An Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) has also been prepared.

At this Pre-Submission stage, the JPU is seeking feedback on whether the Plan is sound and robust when considered against the tests of soundness set out in national policy, namely that the Plan is

A: Positively prepared

B: Justified

C: Effective

D: Consistent with national policy

Further information on the Tests of Soundness is set out in the guidance note on making representations. Please read this before you complete your representation

The consultation runs for 6 weeks from the 26^th January until 9^th March 2015.

Representations should be made to the Joint Planning Unit by 5.00 p.m. on Monday 9^th March 2015, at the latest. Representations should be made using the representation form and should set out if and why in the light of the tests of soundness the Plan needs further refinement prior to submission.

Please note that all representations are now available for review via the following link.

Evidence Base

Extensive technical work has been completed to ensure that the JCS is based on robust evidence that justifies the choices made. The evidence base can be viewed via the following link and key Background Papers and studies are set out below for ease of reference.

Background Papers

Housing Background Paper-Objectively Assessed Need & Housing Requirements (January 2015)

Employment Background Paper (January 2015)

Background Paper on Strategic Housing and Employment Sites (January 2015)

Rushden Sustainable Urban Extension Background Paper (January 2015)

Evidence Base

Urban Structures

Urban Structure Study January 2015

Housing

SHMA Toolkit Update 2014

Assessing the Housing Requirements of North Northamptonshire (December 2013)

Strategic Housing Market Assessment (August 2012)

Viability

North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Pre-Submission Plan Draft Viability Study Update (January 2015)

Sustainable Urban Extensions (SUEs) Viability Report (January 2015) 

Local Plan Viability Testing on Emerging Plan (2014)

Employment

Northamptonshire Employment Targets Report (November 2011)

Retail

North Northamptonshire Retail Capacity Update 2014 Update

Transport:

Northamptonshire Strategic Transport Model Traffic Forecasting Report of the JCS (January 2015)

Northamptonshire Strategic Transport Model Traffic Forecasting Report of the JCS Addendum (January 2015)

 Water and Flooding

Northamptonshire Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

North Northamptonshire Flood Risk Management Study Update (March 2012)

North Northants Detailed Water Cycle Strategy (September 2009)

Renewable/Low Carbon Energy

East Midlands Renewable Energy Study

What happens next

Following this consultation, the Joint Committee will review representations and key issues raised by these and consider whether modifications will need to be made to the Plan. The Plan will then be submitted for examination by an Independent Inspector.

For further information please including how to obtain a hard copy of the JCS please contact the Joint Planning Unit on 01832 742358. The Statement of Representations Procedure provides further information, including where to view hard copies of the JCS.