Have your say on future developments in East Northants

Residents and stakeholders will be able to submit their views on three new planning documents as East Northamptonshire Council launches a public consultation on Monday, February 10.

The council is consulting on three planning documents, which are due to be finalised in the coming months.

This is in advance of the proposed changes to councils in Northamptonshire, coming into effect on April 1, 2021, when two new unitary authorities are formed.

The three documents which will be available for the public to view and comment on are:

- Rushden East Sustainable Urban Extension Masterplan, which was approved for consultation by the council on 27 January 2020

- District-wide Local Plan Part 2 - additional site specific proposals at Rushden and Higham Ferrers

- Householder Extensions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

The Rushden East SUE Masterplan is a 20-year strategy to build at least 2,500 dwellings, balanced by job opportunities, community facilities, greenspaces, and improved infrastructure.

This strategic development will work alongside the district-wide Local Plan Part 2 and Householder Extensions SPD, which when finalised and adopted, will cover the remainder of the current Local Plan period to 2031.

The three documents will be available for consultation over a six-week period with all responses to be received by 4.30pm on Monday, March 23.

Leader of East Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Steven North, said: “The three documents will help the council to deliver sustainable development across the district.

"The Rushden East Masterplan is a significant milestone in delivering the largest single development scheme within East Northamptonshire and will provide much needed new homes, as well as complementing the wider area which will benefit from enhanced connections to Rushden.

“We are pleased to be continuing work on The Local Plan Part 2 and the latest proposals will help deliver additional housing, jobs and educational facilities in Rushden and Higham Ferrers, while The Householder Extensions Supplementary Planning Document will provide detailed guidance for householders looking to submit planning applications.

“We value our resident’s and stakeholder’s feedback and I would encourage the community to have their say.”

The three documents will help the council to deliver the Government’s growth agenda and enhance the framework for determining planning applications in a timely and consistent manner.

Residents will get an opportunity to comment on the Rushden East Masterplan and the additional site specific proposals for the Local Plan Part 2 at public exhibitions held at Canoe 2, Rushden Lakes on February 27 between 10.30am and 6.30pm and February 28 between 10.30am and 3.30pm.

Further details will be available on the council's website and social media pages.

Full details about each of the consultations can be found at www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/consultation .

To submit a comment on the Householder Extensions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), please email [email protected].

Copies of the document will be available via www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/consultation and in Oundle, Thrapston, Irthlingborough, Raunds and Rushden Libraries, as well as via ENC’s customer contact centres.

To view the consultation documents and complete an online response form for the Rushden East Sustainable Urban Extension Masterplan and District-wide Local Plan Part 2, please visit www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/consultation.

Alternatively paper copies of these two consultations can be collected from Rushden Library or the council’s offices at East Northamptonshire House, Thrapston.