Planning Policy
The Strategic Planning and the Economy Division in the Development 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, economic development, housing and strategic transport. The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy is Adrian Colwell.
The Council’s planning policy work is carried out largely through the preparation of:
| Regional Plan | The East Midlands Regional Plan which is officially known as the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands (RSS8) was published in March 2009. |
| Local Development Framework or LDF (replaces the Local Plan) | The Local Development Framework or 'LDF' 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 LDF documents, including the Joint Core Strategy and Statement of Community Involvement as well as the West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit. |
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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 Local Plan policies and to provide guidance on planning related subjects. |
| Interim Rural Housing Planning 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 Development Framework. This is known as the Interim Rural Housing Policy. |
| 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 Development Framework (LDF) 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 and Section 106 monitoring | 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 Development Framework aims and objectives. SNC also monitors the payment and implementation of s106 agreements which set out developer obligations. |
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Five-year Housing Land Supply |
Planning Policy Statement 3 requires that the Council can show it has enough land for housing for the next five years. The East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy requires 330 dwellings per year in South Northamptonshire between 2001 and 2026. The assessment shows that there is sufficient deliverable housing land for at least five years. The five-year land supply will be reviewed annually. |
| 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 Development Framework. 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. |