A1.1 The Borough of Wellingborough Local Plan Alteration is prepared by the Borough Council of Wellingborough under the provisions of part II of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. It includes changes to Chapter 1 (Introduction), Chapter 3 (Housing), Chapter 4 (Industry and Commerce), Chapter 7 (Transport and Communications) and Chapter 9 (Town Sites) of the 1999 adopted Borough of Wellingborough Local Plan. The Alteration is solely concerned with the urban area as defined on the Wellingborough Town Inset to the Proposals Map included in the pocket at the front of this document. The policies that form the Alteration (Policies UH1 to UH5 inclusive, Policy UE1, Policy UT1 and Policies U1 to U20 inclusive) and their reasoned justification cover the period 1996 to 2016. Policies and text of the 1999 adopted Borough of Wellingborough Local Plan that are described in italics at appropriate points in the Alteration as 'unchanged' only relate to the period up to 2006. Similarly, all existing policies and text of the 1999 adopted Local Plan that are concerned with the rural area of the Borough remain unaltered by the Alteration and therefore only cover the period up to 2006. In due course the Borough Council intends to undertake a full review to ensure that development in all parts of the Borough continues to be guided by relevant and up-to-date planning policies
Paragraphs 1.2 to 1.5 of the 1999 adopted Local Plan remain unchanged by the Alteration.
A1.6 The Northamptonshire County Structure Plan for the period 1996 to 2016 was adopted in 2001. It provides a framework for a more sustainable Northamptonshire, taking account of national and regional policies and the need to balance social, economic and environmental considerations. The general strategy of the Structure Plan can be summarised as follows :
Paragraph 1.7 and 'Aims' of the 1999 adopted Local Plan remain unchanged by the Alteration.
Provide for the development of 6500 dwellings in association with the town during the Plan period of sufficient variety in terms both of sites and dwelling types appropriate to the needs of the population.
Provide for 160ha of employment land in association with the town during the Plan period on a variety of sites to support an increased diversity of employment opportunities.
'Development/Growth Objectives' lll to Vl inclusive, 'Amenity/Quality Objectives', 'Natural Resource Objectives' and paragraphs 1.8, 1.9 and 1.10 of the 1999 adopted Local Plan remain unchanged by the Alteration.
A1.11 The bulk of new development will be directed to the urban area in accordance with the County Structure Plan and Government guidance contained in Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs). This strategy will protect the rural area from widespread impact and urban sprawl and promote a more sustainable pattern of development. Owing to the limited legacy of previously developed land and buildings within the town it is necessary to allocate other urban sites, whilst protecting important open spaces and amenity areas, and provide for a major urban extension, known as a 'Strategic Development Area', to the East of Wellingborough.
Paragraphs 1.12 and 1.13 of the 1999 adopted Local Plan remain unchanged by the Alteration.
A1.14 Preparation of the Local Plan Alteration has been guided by a sustainability appraisal. This provides a detailed check on the potential environmental, economic and social implications of policies and proposals. Whilst the Appraisal does not form part of the Local Plan, it is subject to public consultation at various stages and responses are used to inform the Plan preparation process.