New Local Plan - CALL TO ACTION!...
The consultation on the latest draft of West Northants Council (WNC) emerging Local Plan (Regulation 19) is open for public consultation, and runs until 16th November. This is where we need your help….
The encouraging news is that - following the Strategic Planning Committee’s refusal of the application at Furtho Pits in June 2026 - WNC have now removed the Furtho Pit allocation (formerly AL5/EC8) from the latest Regulation 19 Local Plan draft. Their September Committee briefing notes state that technical changes since the site allocation - including revisions to flood mapping, and the designation of a Local Wildlife Site (February 2026) - mean that the site is now not considered to be deliverable.
Why Your Voice Matters
Local Plan policies shape planning decisions for the next 15–20 years. While many parts of the plan may interest you, our campaign has focused on former Policy AL5/ EC8 regarding the Furtho Pit allocation. More than 6,000 people wrote in during earlier consultations, a clear sign that community voices can influence outcome. By removing this allocation, the Council has shown it is listening to residents and recognising the environmental and visual impact, access constraints, and flood risks at Furtho Pit.
However, the matter is not completely over. Until a new Local Plan is adopted, the current plan remains in force, and the applicants can still appeal the Strategic Planning Committee’s refusal of 30 June 2026. The appeal window runs until 2 January 2027.
Keeping the former AL5/EC8 allocation out of the emerging plan strengthens the case against future development proposals, and may also influence decisions should the planners appeal the refusal.
Have your Say - Keep the Furtho Pit site allocation OUT!
This consultation is your opportunity to support the Council’s decision and reinforce why former Policy AL5/EC8 should remain out of the Local Plan. Because a Regulation 19 consultation is a formal legal stage, your comments should specifically address whether the plan is legally compliant and whether it meets the government's tests of "soundness" (i.e., is it positively prepared, justified, effective, and consistent with national policy?).
There are numerous aspects where we believe the Furtho Pits allocation was not compliant with National Policy and could neither be considered justified or sound. It would help to cite these when responding to the consultation.
What to Write
Please write in your own words. Your message could be simple, for example:
“Well done West Northamptonshire Council for listening to residents and removing former Policy EC8 (Furtho Pit Development) from the Local Plan. Please keep it out to protect our countryside and ensure sustainable, evidence‑based planning.”
However, it may help to remind the council further, not only why this allocation was refused but why it should be kept out of the Local Plan based on current policy. Some key ‘sound’ reasons are listed below, which you may want to cite:
Ecology and Environment - A large part of the site is covered by rare Open Mosaic Habitat and, since allocation, has been designated a Local Wildlife Site, impacts on which cannot be avoided or adequately mitigated. (NPPF Chapter 19, Policy N2, N6)
Flood Risk - The site is over a flood zone. The only proposed flood mitigation measures deemed effective by the Environment Agency (EA), were also considered by the EA and Local Authority to be unsustainable due to the increased risk posed to downstream communities. This increased flood risk does not align with National Policy (NPPF Chapter 18 Policy F2, F5).
Visual Impact - Employment development on this site can neither effectively respond to the setting, character and history of the site, nor integrate with/ enhance it’s setting. (NPPF Chapter14, Policy DP3.) The site is directly opposite homes, which would be severely adversely-impacted by development on this site through visual, noise and light pollution. (NPPF, Chapter 4,Policy S4).
Transport and Access - The site’s location does not support sustainable transport access. A genuine lack of choice of transport modes will lead to a substantial increase in traffic at an already over-capacity junction. In addition, the proposed site access has been deemed to be unsafe. This does not align with sustainable transport requirements of National Policy (NPPF Chapter 15, TR1, TR 3, TR 6).
There is of course further information on this website regarding the proposed former AL5/EC8 development, and the many reasons for refusal.
We really hope this is the last thing we need to ask. If all those who have objected to the development so far can now respond to WNC on Regulation 19, we may be able to save the land at Furtho Pits for future generations.
Please write to the following:
Email:
planningpolicyconsultation@westnorthants.gov.uk
Postal address:
Planning Policy - Draft Local Plan, West Northamptonshire Council
One Angel Square (Service Yard), Angel Street
Northampton NN1 1ED
You don't have to live in West Northants to have a say.
Full information on Regulation 19 consultation, including the Draft Plan, can be found here:
Thank you once again for your on-going support.
