In 2021, the eight former councils in Northamptonshire were abolished and replaced by two new unitary authorities:

• West Northamptonshire Council – covering Daventry, Northampton, and South Northamptonshire.
• North Northamptonshire Council – covering Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, and East Northamptonshire.

Current Local Plans in Northamptonshire include:

North Northamptonshire

• The current Local Plan for North Northamptonshire includes the Joint Core Strategy and supporting area-based plans. The Joint Core Strategy adopted in July 2016 provides the strategic planning policies for the future development of the area from 2016 to 2031.
• This sets strategic policies set out in the Part 2 Local Plans for Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering, and Wellingborough:
  • Corby – adopted September 2021.
  • East Northamptonshire – adopted December 2023.
  • Kettering – adopted December 2021.
  • Wellingborough – adopted February 2019.
• Local Plan Review – The Council is preparing a new Local Plan to extend the plan period to 2045 and update strategic policies.
  • Regulation 18 Draft Consultation is now expected early 2026.
  • Submission for examination: late 2026; adoption targeted for 2027.

West Northamptonshire

• Joint Core Strategy (Part 1) was adopted in December 2014 and sets out the long-term vision and objectives for the whole of the area covered by the former Daventry District, Northampton Borough and South Northamptonshire Councils for the plan period up to 2029.
• This sets strategic policies set out in the Part 2 Local Plans for Daventry, Northampton, and South Northamptonshire:
  • Daventry Settlements & Countryside Plan – adopted Feb 2020.
  • Northampton Local Plan Part 2 – adopted March 2023.
  • South Northamptonshire Local Plan Part 2 – adopted July 2020.
• The Council are preparing a new West Northamptonshire Local Plan for the area to guide development in the period up to 2043 which will replace the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Local Plan (Part 1) and the Part 2 Local Plan.
  • First Regulation 18 consultation ran April–June 2024.
  • Second Regulation 18 consultation is planned for winter 2025/26.
  • Submission for examination: end of 2026; adoption expected 2027.

For further advice or to find out how your property fits into this framework for planning in Northamptonshire please contact us.