South Northamptonshire Settlements and Development
Management Local Plan
Issues Consultation Response Form
Open Countryside
October 2013 – January 2014
Comments should be returned in writing using the form provided to
Andy D’Arcy
Lead Officer Planning Policy,
South Northamptonshire Council,
Springfields,
Towcester,
NN12 6AE.
Alternatively e-mail planning.policy@southnorthants.gov.uk
Response forms should be returned by 5pm on Friday 24 January
2014 at the latest, and cannot be accepted after this time.
ISSUES FOR THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE: HOUSING
1 Are there any special circumstances where the Local Plan should
support proposals for isolated homes in the countryside?
ISSUES FOR THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE: LOCAL EMPLOYMENT
1 How far can the Local Plan support jobs and prosperity in the wider
countryside?
2 If light of the proposed changes to national policy regarding the
change of use of agricultural buildings how can the Local Plan
encourage the conversion of existing buildings and/or support the
provision of new buildings to support the local economy
3 What approach should the Plan take towards the existing
employment areas and any other existing employment areas located
in the open countryside?
4 How do we ensure that modern agricultural buildings and
infrastructure do not harm the landscape?
5 Can more farm diversification be encouraged without it
compromising the main business of farming?
6 How can the repair and maintenance of traditional farm buildings be
supported?
ISSUES FOR THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE: TOURISM
1
What can the Local Plan include to further enhance the tourism
offer within the open countryside areas of South Northamptonshire
in respect of its key assets at Sulgrave, Castle Ashby and the
Canal?
2
Should the Local Plan include a criteria based policy that supports
new development subject to detailed scrutiny against a range of
criteria including landscape, conservation benefit, traffic, access to
the rights of way network and consideration of impact on special
qualities?
3
What approach should the Local Plan take to diversification
proposals in the countryside including proposals such as visitor
accommodation, other small businesses and farm shops?
ISSUES FOR THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE: TRANSPORT, UTILITIES AND
COMMUNICATIONS
1
What measures should be included in the Local Plan to address the
issues identified in the Transport Strategy?
2
What factors should the Local Plan consider when considering the
expansion of electronic communications networks in the
countryside, such as telecommunications and high speed
broadband?
3
Should the Local Plan seek to enhance the public rights of way
network?
4
How can the Local Plan reconcile concerns about wind turbines and
solar farms with the NPPF’s requirement that the UK should meet
its energy requirements from renewable and low carbon sources?
5
What further support should the Local Plan give to domestic and
small scale business/community renewable energy?
ISSUES FOR THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE: HISTORIC CHARACTER AND
LANDSCAPE
1
How should the Local Plan seek to protect the District’s ‘special
character’?
2
Should the Council seek to have parts of the District designated as
an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty?
3
What criteria should the Local Plan identify when considering
proposals for development affecting wildlife?
4
Should the Local Plan protect areas of ‘tranquillity’ which are
relatively undisturbed by noise or regarded for their recreational
and amenity value?
5
What do you think are the visually distinctive aspects of the local
landscape and how do you feel they can best be safeguarded and
enhanced?
6
What sort of factors should the Local Plan identify to positively
encourage the conservation and enjoyment of the historic
environment?
OTHER ISSUES
1
Are there any other issues that the Local Plan needs to consider for
the open countryside within South Northamptonshire?