Planning Policy
The Strategic Planning and the Economy Division in the Development Directorate deals with the Local Plan, policy and S106 monitoring, supplementary planning guidance, supplementary planning documents, market town regeneration, economic development, housing and strategic transport. The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy is Adrian Colwell and the Lead Officer for Planning Policy is Andy D'Arcy.
The Council’s planning policy work is carried out largely through the preparation of:
| Regional Plan | The East Midlands Regional Plan (RSS8) was revoked by the Secretary of State on 12 April 2013 and no longer forms part of the Development Plan. |
| Local Plan | The Local Plan is the term used to describe the set of documents which will eventually include all of the planning authority's local development documents. As these new documents are adopted by the Council, they will eventually replace the South Northamptonshire Local Plan adopted in 1997. These pages contain information on local plan documents, including the Joint Core Strategy and Statement of Community Involvement as well as the Settlements and Development Management Policies Local Plan. |
| Supplementary Planning Documents, Supplementary Planning Guidance and Planning Briefs | Both the Planning Policy and Heritage Sections have produced Supplementary Planning Documents and Supplementary Planning Guidance, which are intended to clarify and expand on Local Plan policies and to provide guidance on planning related subjects. |
| Interim Rural Housing Planning Policy and Interim Affordable Housing Policy |
The Council has adopted a more flexible and positive approach that allows housing development on suitable sites in appropriate locations until such time as at least a five year supply of housing land is secured or there is an up to date policy in the Local Plan. This is known as the Interim Rural Housing Policy. The Council has also adopted an Interim Affordable Housing Policy that sets out the Council's position in terms of negotiating affordable housing prior to the adoption of the Joint Core Strategy in 2013/14. |
| Masterplans | This link takes you to the Developing the District page, which includes Brackley, Roade and Towcester Masterplans as well as links to the Planning Brief for Silverstone Circuit. |
| Planning Policy Strategies and Evidence Base |
Planning Policy and in particular the Local Plan must be based on a thorough understanding of the needs, opportunities and constraints within the District. To achieve this local planning authorities are required to prepare and maintain an up-to-date information base on key aspects of the social, economic and environmental characteristics of their area. |
| Annual Monitoring Reports, Section 106 monitoring, and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) | Planning authorities are required to prepare Annual Monitoring Reports (AMRs) to monitor how the Council is performing in implementing the Local Development Scheme (LDS), and progress in achieving Local Plan aims and objectives. SNC also monitors the payment and implementation of S106 agreements which set out developer obligations. |
| Five-year Housing Land Supply | The National Planning Policy Framework requires that the Council can show it has enough land for housing for at least the next five years. Follow the link for the latest five-year housing land supply report. |
| South Northamptonshire Local Plan | The local plan was adopted in 1997. It sets out what we plan to do with land in the district and how we will control development. The Saved Policies of the Plan will remain in force until replaced by policies in the emerging Local Plan. The local plan also shows the existing town and village confines. |
| Neighbourhood Planning, Planning Reform and Village Design Statements |
Neighbourhood Planning forms part of the reforms the Government is making to the Planning system. Responses by SNC are detailed here. The role of a Village Design Statement is to provide more detailed design guidance for a parish and to supplement the planning policies of the local planning authority. |