Richard Wood

The Planning Policy Committee of West Northamptonshire Council adopted the West Northamptonshire Infrastructure and Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document on 17 June 2026. This decision approved recommendations to adopt the new document, which replaces three existing supplementary planning documents. The committee also delegated authority to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services for minor editorial changes and agreed to update contribution SP1 to amend the maintenance cost period from 25 to 10 years.

The Planning Policy Committee of West Northamptonshire Council adopted the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area Guidance and Mitigation Strategy on 17 June 2026. The committee also revoked two previous Supplementary Planning Documents related to the same area. The adopted guidance includes a Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) contribution of £371.17 per dwelling plus an administration fee of £85 per application for new dwellings within 5.9km of the SPA.

The Planning Policy Committee of West Northamptonshire Council decided on 17 June 2026 to note progress on the local plan and agreed that the council cannot currently meet the evidenced need for Gypsy, Traveller, and Travelling Showpeople sites. The committee will raise this unmet need as a strategic cross-boundary matter with neighbouring councils.

The Planning Policy Committee noted that the Council cannot currently demonstrate a five year housing land supply. The committee also noted that a new assessment with a base date of 1st April 2026 is underway and will be reported in due course.

The Planning Policy Committee endorsed the holding response submitted to government. This decision was made on 22 April 2026.