The EAP Sustainable Communities Panel met to discuss developer travel plan guidance, a draft baseline report, and the executive forward plan. The panel reviewed updated guidance for developer travel plans, which aims to reduce motor vehicle traffic by 10%. They also discussed the progress of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and its draft baseline report, which is currently undergoing public consultation.

Developer Travel Plan Guidance

The panel reviewed updated guidance for developer travel plans, which combines previous commercial and residential guidance into a single document. The guidance outlines the benefits of travel plans, identifies when they are required for developments, and suggests measures to include in them.

A key element of the updated guidance is an interim target to reduce motor vehicle traffic by 10%, which will be reviewed as part of a future Local Transport Plan consultation. The guidance also identifies requirements for monitoring and reviewing travel plans, and refers to a fee for monitoring them.

Other proposed changes include:

• Linking the Section 106 (S106) ¹ travel plan monitoring fee to first occupation of a development, with a review of the existing £1,000 per year of build sum.
• Using a S106 travel plan performance bond where appropriate, to ensure developers progress their travel plan.
• Using S106 monitoring fees to fund monitoring of developer travel plan compliance, potentially through additional software, North Northamptonshire Council officer time, or external resources.

A travel plan is a package of actions designed by a workplace, school or other organisation to encourage safe, healthy and sustainable travel options. By reducing car travel, travel plans can improve health and wellbeing, free up car parking space, and make a positive contribution to the community and the environment.

Local Transport Plan (LTP) Update

David Prior, Principal Transport Planner, provided an update on the progress and timetable for the Local Transport Plan (LTP). The Transport Act 2000 requires all local transport authorities to publish statutory plans, known as LTPs, for maintaining and improving all aspects of local transport.

The purpose of an LTP is to:

• Outline the current baseline regarding transport, accessibility, and pollution.
• Set out challenging, but achievable, objectives.
• Set out the timeline for achieving these objectives.
• Outline a programme of schemes.

The current LTP is the Northamptonshire Transportation Plan, produced by Northamptonshire County Council in 2012. A new North Northamptonshire LTP is required to reflect the needs of the community, priorities, and investment plans in a more integrated approach, and to align with the council’s vision and other strategic policies such as the Corporate Plan, Local Development Framework, the Greenway Strategy, and Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans.

The indicative programme for the next 18 months is:

• Establishing the context / Baseline (complete June 2025)
• Building consensus (complete May to July 2025)
• Setting a policy direction (complete September/October 2025)
• Developing our policies (complete November 2025)
• Forming the LTP (complete March 2026)
• Agreeing the plan (complete Summer 2026)

A draft Baseline Report has been developed, which identifies what has happened since the previous LTP of 2012, targets and policies that the new LTP will take into consideration, and information on place, people, and the environment for North Northamptonshire. Public engagement and consultation on the contents of this draft Baseline Report recently took place, concluding on 23 March 2025. The public consultation sought feedback on any further guidance or policies that they would like to see included, the priority given to different transport modes, the priority given to different areas of transport, and any other comments.

Executive Forward Plan

The panel reviewed the Executive Forward Plan, which outlines upcoming decisions and projects for the council.