Northampton Planning Policy

Northampton Development Plan

The Development Plan is the name given to the portfolio of planning policies that are used in determining planning applications across Northampton.

West Northamptonshire Local Development Scheme (LDS)

An LDS sets out and timetables the key planning policy documents that the Council will prepare to plan for development in the area.

The LDS sets out the timetable for the preparation of the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan and the remaining stages leading to the adoption of the Northampton Local Plan Part 2. The latest version can be found through the link below:

Northampton Local Plan (Part 2)

The Northampton Local Plan Part 2 was adopted on 23 March 2023.

The West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Local Plan (Part 1)

New Local Plan for West Northamptonshire

Northampton Housing Action Plan

Supplementary Planning Documents and Other guides

Supplementary Planning Documents are intended to expand upon policies included in Development Plan documents. They may be site specific (e.g. development briefs or master plans) or topic-based (e.g. design guides).

Residential Extensions and Alterations Design Guide (2011)

This SPD assists householders in making alterations to and/or extending their property, and in understanding the planning process. It also defines the acceptable forms of design which will not only improve the appearance of their property but also the character of the street.

Local Development Orders

Local Development Orders are made by local planning authorities and give a grant of planning permission to specific types of development within a defined area. They streamline the planning process by removing the need for developers to make a planning application to a local planning authority. Currently there is one Local Development Order in Northampton borough covering St James Employment Area.

Neighbourhood Plans

Neighbourhood Plans are a new level of planning policy and are prepared by town or parish councils (where these exist) or a Neighbourhood Forum. There are some specific rules and regulations relating to preparing Neighbourhood Plans. 

Statement of Community Involvement

The SCI sets out how the local community, business and other organisations with an interest in Northampton can engage with the planning system. This includes planning applications and planning policies such as the Local Plan.

The new SCI, adopted in January 2017, was modified in June 2018 to take account of legislative changes.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) - Northampton Charging Schedule

Authority Monitoring Report

Five Year Housing Land Supply

West Northamptonshire Brownfield Land Register

Local planning authorities in England are required to prepare a Brownfield Land Register in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Brownfield Land Register) Regulations 2017. The 2023 update is available below.

Self-Build and Custom Build Register