The Council met on Monday 19 January 2026 to discuss the West Northamptonshire Local Plan and the appointment of key officers. The meeting's agenda included a report seeking approval to consult on a draft of the West Northamptonshire Local Plan, which outlines the council's plans for development, protection of areas, and policies for determining planning applications up to 2043. Additionally, the council was scheduled to consider the appointment of a Monitoring Officer and a Chief Officer.

West Northamptonshire Local Plan – Approval to Consult on a Draft Plan

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the West Northamptonshire Local Plan (WNLP). The report presented outlined the council's legal obligation to prepare and maintain a local plan, which guides development, identifies protected areas, and sets policies for planning applications. The WNLP is intended to replace the existing West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Local Plan Part 1 and associated Part 2 Plans, with a lifespan extending to 2043.

The draft plan has undergone several stages of consultation, with the current version being a Regulation 18 draft. The report detailed the plan's structure, including chapters on the spatial portrait, vision and objectives, spatial strategy, and placemaking. It also provided specific strategies for key areas within West Northamptonshire:

• Northampton: The plan proposes significant housing allocations, including sites at 35-45 Abington Street, Cattlemarket Road, Four Waterside, Greyfriars Development Area, Marefair Heritage Park and Castle House, and Northampton Railway Station. It also includes allocations for employment use at Sixfields East, Crow Lane, Martin's Yard Extension, and Waterside Way, as well as a new strategic employment site south of Junction 15 of the M1.
• Daventry: The strategy for Daventry includes housing allocations at Micklewell Park Extension, Land at Middlemore, and north of Middlemore. Employment opportunities are planned for land off Newnham Drive and the Daventry South East Gateway, with local employment opportunities at Daventry North East.
• Brackley: The plan proposes new housing allocations west of Brackley, north of Radstone Fields, and east of Radstone Road, in addition to the Brackley East Sustainable Urban Extension.
• Towcester: Housing growth is planned north of Burcote Road, with employment opportunities at Bell Plantation, Woolgrowers Field, and Tiffield Lane. The plan also proposes the removal of settlement confines for Wood Burcote, integrating it into the Towcester planning policy area.
• Long Buckby Station: The plan includes proposals for growth at Long Buckby Station, comprising approximately 1,000 homes and 4 hectares of employment land, aiming to increase station patronage and support active travel.
• Rural Areas: A specific rural chapter sets out policies for the open countryside and proposes a settlement hierarchy for villages and hamlets, with defined confines and policies for development acceptance. A rural housing requirement of approximately 3,800 homes is also outlined.
• Homes: The plan sets a housing requirement of approximately 47,300 new homes over the period 2025-2043, an increase of around 9,000 units from the previous draft. It details policies on affordable housing, self-build and custom-build housing, and provision for Gypsies, Travellers, and Travelling Showpeople, with a need for 83 pitches identified.
• Employment: The plan forecasts employment growth of between 30,800 and 32,200 jobs and outlines provision for office, industrial, and warehousing space. New strategic employment allocations are proposed at Junction 16 of the M1 and east of the M1 as an expansion to DIRFT.
• Built and Natural Environment: Policies are included to protect and enhance the historic urban and rural landscapes, buildings, and archaeological features. The plan addresses landscape protection, Green Wedges, and nature conservation, including a policy on the Upper Nene Gravel Pits Special Protection Area (SPA) and requirements for biodiversity net gain.
• Transport: The chapter outlines plans to support growth through various transport schemes referenced in the West Northamptonshire Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP). It prioritises pedestrian, cyclist, and public transport users and identifies land to be safeguarded for future transport use, including the former Northampton to Market Harborough railway line.
• Infrastructure: The plan reiterates the need for infrastructure delivery alongside housing and job growth, with the council working in partnership with developers and stakeholders.
• Implementation: A monitoring framework is proposed to measure the plan's effectiveness and allow for interventions if necessary.

The report recommended that the Council agree to issue the draft West Northamptonshire Local Plan for public consultation, undertake a call for sites, and delegate minor editorial changes to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services.

Appointment of Monitoring Officer and Chief Officer

The meeting was also scheduled to discuss the appointment of key officers. The report recommended that the statutory responsibilities of the Monitoring Officer be permanently placed within the role of Corporate Director Law and Governance, with Sarah Hall recommended for permanent appointment to this role. Additionally, the report recommended the appointment of Rebecca Hutson to the role of Service Director Communications and Strategy. These recommendations stemmed from a review of the council's organisational structure, aiming to achieve financial savings and ensure compliance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, which mandates the designation of a Monitoring Officer.