The Planning Policy Committee of West Northamptonshire Council is scheduled to convene on Monday 14 September 2026. The primary focus of the meeting will be the West Northamptonshire Local Plan, with discussions centred on its publication and submission under Regulation 19.

West Northamptonshire Local Plan - Publication and Submission of Regulation 19 Local Plan

The most significant item scheduled for discussion is the West Northamptonshire Local Plan, specifically its publication and submission under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. This stage represents the proposed submission version of the plan, which the Council intends to put forward for independent examination. The report pack details the extensive work undertaken to prepare this draft, including four previous rounds of public consultation since 2019, extensive evidence gathering, and significant public expenditure.

Attendees will be presented with two options for decision-making:

• Option 1: Endorse the revised Plan for consultation in accordance with Regulation 19. This option includes recommending to Full Council that the Regulation 19 draft West Northamptonshire Local Plan be published, and following the close of the publication period, approving its submission to the Secretary of State for examination. It also includes delegating authority to the Service Director for Planning to make minor editorial and presentational changes.
• Option 2: Reject the Regulation 19 draft West Northamptonshire Local Plan and agree that a new local plan be prepared under the 2026 National Planning Policy Framework and Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

The report pack outlines numerous changes made to the plan since the Regulation 18 draft, following consideration of consultation responses and the latest evidence base findings. These changes span various policies and chapters, including:

• Spatial Strategy (Policy S1): Updated to recognise strategic employment growth along the M1 corridor.
• Flooding Policy (PL5): Reviewed and updated in consultation with the Environment Agency and Lead Local Flood Authority.
• Local Green Space (PL13): An additional 63 Local Green Spaces are proposed for designation, with one previously proposed space at Pineham Locks not being carried forward.
• Collingtree Golf Course (Policy N19): This proposed allocation for approximately 300 dwellings has not been carried forward into the Regulation 19 draft.
• Land at Middlemore, Daventry (Policy D4): This allocation is not included in the Regulation 19 Plan as planning permission has already been granted and is being implemented.
• Housing Requirement (Policy HO1): The housing requirement has been recalculated, reducing the figure from 45,054 homes in the Regulation 18 Plan to 42,704, a consequence of one year of the plan period having elapsed.
• Rural Housing Requirements (Policy R6): Assessments have led to an approximate 15% reduction in housing need at all R6 villages.
• RAF Croughton (New Policy R7): A new policy is proposed to support and protect the continued operational defence function of RAF Croughton.
• Affordable Housing (Policy HO2): Updated to set affordable housing requirements at 10% in the Daventry and Northampton urban areas and 35% elsewhere in West Northamptonshire, following viability testing.
• Self-build and Custom build homes (Policy HO8): Amended to include single self-build plots as a prescribed circumstance for development at Primary, Secondary and Other Villages.
• Houses in Multiple Occupation (Policy HO9): Amended to include additional criteria regarding continuous frontages, 'sandwiching' of self-contained homes, and cumulative impacts.
• Leisure Moorings and Canalside Development (Policies EC5 & EC6): These policies have moved from the Transport Chapter to the Economy Chapter.
• Retail Hierarchy (Policy EC7): Updated to include proposals to retain and enhance neighbourhood centres, leading to the deletion of Policy N8.
• Land at Former Furtho Pit (Policy EC8): This proposed allocation has not been carried forward into the Regulation 19 draft.
• Monitoring Framework (Chapter 16): A monitoring framework has been included.
• General Mapping and Presentational Updates: Revisions have been made throughout the plan, including the addition of a key diagram.

The report pack also includes appendices detailing the National Planning Policy Framework 2026, a summary of chapters and main changes, and a consultation statement. The committee will consider the implications of the recently published NPPF (August 2026) and the potential for pursuing a new plan under the 2026 framework, weighing this against the significant public expenditure and consultation already undertaken on the current draft. The report highlights the challenging timescale for completion, with representations needing to conclude by 31st December 2026 for the plan to be ready for examination.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in Room G01 at One Angel Square, Angel Street, Northampton NN1 1ED. Councillor Thomas Manning is listed as the Chair of the Planning Policy Committee.