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WHY A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN?

There is a lot of development going on in our Plan area, which impacts traffic and facilities:

  • 4,000 students in our Plan area, when the new Northampton International Academy is up to full capacity and including the growth of Malcolm Arnold Academy
  • 170 new homes on the old University site in St George’s Avenue
  • Increasing number of houses in multiple occupation, particularly in Semilong, changes the character of the area
  • Need to protect and enhance existing facilities, like the Racecourse and the Wildlife Area behind St George’s Avenue

Having a Neighbourhood Plan helps us to be able to influence the impacts of these developments for the good of our area, see Priorities.

WHY THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD?

The area covered by our proposed neighbourhood plan (parts of Semilong and Trinity, plus the Racecourse – see map) have been chosen because:

  • The whole area will be impacted by the growth in the number of students and their need for travel routes (including safely walking and cycling) across the area;
  • The development of the university site for housing, whilst welcomed, will increase pressure on local facilities, particularly traffic and recreational amenities such as the Racecourse Miller’s Meadow and the Wildlife Area;
  • We care about our local area and want to preserve and enhance the area and heritage in which we live, work and play.

THE ADVANTAGES OF A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

  • Any development in the area has to take note of the Neighbourhood Plan before getting approval;
  • The Plan can set out a ‘Design Guide’ which says how buildings ought to look;
  • The Neighbourhood Forum has to be consulted on any significant development in the area;
  • 25% of the ‘Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)’, paid to the Council by developers, goes to the Neighbourhood Forum to spend on improvements identified in its Plan.

More information about Neighbourhood Plans can be found on the following websites:

For information about neighbourhood planning in general:
https://locality.org.uk/services-tools/neighbourhood-planning/

For information about Neighbourhood Plans in Northampton:
https://www.northampton.gov.uk/info/200205/planning-for-the-future/1840/neighbourhood-planning-in-northampton

AECOM DESIGN CODE

During 2020 -21 residents have worked with the team of Urban Designers from AECOM to produce a Design Code for the area of the Semilong and Trinity Neighborhood Plan. This Design Code identifies the characteristics of each distinct area, and provides a guide for the assessment of future development proposals and encourages high quality design.

This is an important milestone in the progress of the Neighbourhood Plan as we head to the first draft of the complete plan. Please click on the link below to view the Design Code.

Link to Design Code October 2021