The Strategic Policy Division in the Policy Directorate deals with the Local Development Framework (local planning policy and plans), policy and S106 monitoring, supplementary planning guidance, supplementary planning documents, market town regeneration, econsomic development, housing, strategic transport etc. The Head of Strategic Policy is Adrian Colwell.
Planning policy is carried out largely through the preparation of the Regional Plan Planning and the Local Development Framework. These provide a framework to guide development whilst at the same time protecting and enhancing the environment.
Development Plans take two forms:
There are also plenty of other planning guidance and policy documents in the library to download for free.
The Strategic Policy Division is also responsible for Policy & Heritage. This team deals with built heritage, conservation area appraisals, Listed buildings and heritage grants, etc. There is specific advice on whether Listed Building Consent is needed on our page Listed buildings under our Planning Permission Guide. General information about Heritage and Conservation can be found under our Environment area.
The Local Transport Plan is covered by the County Council in its Transport Planning pages.
Both Mineral and Waste Local Plans are covered by the County Council under their Minerals and Waste Planning pages on the Northamptonshire County Council website.
Apart from the preparation of the Local Development Framework, policy work also involves undertaking a range of monitoring work to measure the effectiveness of the Plan's policies and the implementation of its proposals. It is important that the ideas in the Plan are seen to be working.
Of particular importance are the annually produced surveys on housing and industrial land availability. This information is also used in connection with planning appeals and public inquiries.
An Annual Monitoring Report will be produced in December in each year to monitor progress on the Local Development Framework and the effectiveness of its policies and proposals. The Planning Policy Document Library will be updated and a link added to these pages when the document is available for download. You may also purchase a hardcopy from the Council using the contact details below:
Planning Policy
Policy Directorate
South Northamptonshire Council
Springfields
Towcester
Northants NN12 6AE
Tel: 01327 322265
Email: mailto:planning.policy@southnorthants.gov.uk
The Government now requires Councils to carry out sustainability appraisals of their Development Plan Documents to ensure that the policies and proposals in its plan will promote sustainable development.
The appraisals, which will be carried out by consultants will assess the likely impact of this Plan on the district's physical, social and economic environment, ie those conditions that affect the quality of life of people living and working in its district. A Sustainability Appraisal has been prepared for the preferred option for the core strategy Development Plan Document. The Appraisal will be published with the Core Strategy in the new year and will be made available for download from these pages. The timetable for producing the various Development Plan Documents is set out in the Council’s Local Development Scheme in the Planning Policy Document Library.
A number of policy documents have been created (Planning Briefs, Supplementary Planning Guidance) to assist you. Most documents are available for download through the Planning Policy Document Library.
Contact the Planning Policy Section at:
Planning Policy
Policy Directorate
South Northamptonshire Council
Springfields
Towcester
Northants NN12 6AE
Telephone: 01327 322265
Email: planning.policy@southnorthants.gov.uk