WNC – Local Plan Consultation

West Northamptonshire Local Plan 2043

Regulation 18- Draft Consultation January 2026

Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 – Regulation 18.

The Local Plan is an important planning document that sets out how we propose West Northamptonshire will change and grow over the next two decades. The principles set out in the plan and the sites it identifies for protection and those it proposes to allocate for development will underpin decisions that are made in the years ahead. It is important to understand your views on these important matters.

You can view the draft Local Plan on our website HERE where the following documents are available for inspection:

• West Northamptonshire Local Plan Regulation 18 Draft (January 2026)
• Policies Map (2026)
• Sustainability Appraisal (2026)
• Habitat Regulations Assessment (2026)
• Statement of Consultation (Regulation 18 Statement) (2026)
• Evidence Base Studies, and
• Background Papers

These documents can be viewed online with the Local Plan, Policies maps, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment also available in hard copy at the following Council offices during opening hours:

One Angel Square, Northampton, NN1 1ED 

The Abbey Centre, St Johns Square, Daventry, NN11 4XG 

The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, NN12 6AD 

In addition, copies will be available in all libraries within West Northamptonshire (opening times are available on the website)

Subject Matter 

The Draft Plan sets out the proposed spatial vision and objectives for West Northamptonshire covering the period 2025 to 2043. It allocates housing and employment development sites, identifies a housing need for the rural areas, and contains policies against which planning applications will be considered. Once adopted, the Local Plan will replace the existing West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy and the Daventry, Northampton, and South Northamptonshire Local Plans.

The Policies Map accompanying the plan sets out the areas to which specific local plan policies and land designations apply.

The Statement of Consultation sets out a summary of comments received at previous consultations, and how these have been considered during preparation of the Local Plan. The Sustainability Appraisal weighs up the social, environmental, and economic effects of the Local Plan. In addition to this a broad range of supporting documents have been produced to provide an evidence base informing the Local Plan including the Habitat Regulations Assessment.

If you require any further information, please contact the Planning Policy team at:

• Email: planningpolicyconsultation@westnorthants.gov.uk 
• Tel: 0300 126 7000 

How to comment on the consultation

Representation can be made on-line through the Councils website, by email at planningpolicyconsultation@westnorthants.gov.uk  or by post to:

Planning Policy Team

West Northamptonshire Council
One Angel Square
Northampton
NN1 1ED

Please note that all comments received will be made public. We will not consider anonymous responses. Your comments and name will be published but other personal information will remain confidential.                                               

As part of the consultation, the Council is hosting a series of public engagement events, offering people an opportunity to learn more about the proposals and speak directly with council officers:

• Monday 2 February: Moulton Community Centre, NN3 7AX from 1.30pm to 4.30pm
• Friday 6 February: The Forum, Towcester, NN12 6AF from midday to 5pm

• Tuesday 10 February: Wootton Community Centre, NN4 6ED from 2pm to 7.30pm
• Wednesday 11 February: Middleton Cheney Village Hall, OX17 2LT from midday to 4.30pm
• Thursday 12 February: Mercure Hotel, Daventry, NN11 0SG from 3pm to 6.30pm
• Thursday 19 February: The Grosvenor Centre, Northampton, NN1 2EW from 12.30pm to 4.30pm
• Wednesday 4 March: Long Buckby Community Centre, NN6 7QB, from 3pm to 7.30pm
• Wednesday 11 March: Brackley Town Hall, NN13 7AB from 12.30pm to 6pm

As set out above consultation is open until 23:59 on Friday 27 March 2026. Please note that representations received after the deadline cannot be accepted. We look forward to hearing from you.

Planning Policy Team
West Northamptonshire Council