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Integrated approach to sustainable rural planning in East Northamptonshire
The main aim of this demonstration project was to draw together and develop a robust and comprehensive evidence base, drawing on existing studies and other work. At the same time the project aimed to help sustain East Northamptonshire villages and underpin the policy framework in the Council’s future Local Development Framework.
The project focussed on a study area in covering 18 settlements in East Northamptonshire. A methodology was developed which collated a wealth of background information on policy and previous research, and employed a residents survey and discussion with a Stakeholder Group.
The main findings were that there is a complex web of relationships in the study area due to the variation of people’s lives and desired needs. Perhaps unsurprisingly, large urban centres act as service centres to villages in the study area and there is a high dependence on car travel. Settlement roles and relationships have been categorised and used to develop a framework for sustainable rural policies that could secure the right type of development in the right locations. The study agrees with the existing classification of the service centres in the area but argues that certain types of development should be permitted in rural areas which meets identified needs and would improve sustainability. Improving public transport and the provision of affordable housing were recognised as priorities for making the settlements more sustainable and working more closely with partners and involving the community is key to delivering those priorities.
Spatial and subject policy frameworks have been set out for the East Northamptonshire which when employed in tandem, and with the help of partners and local communities, can deliver more sustainable rural policies. The project has also provided a generic policy framework for rural areas beyond the study area.
