Hundreds of plots and neighbourhoods listed as potential Northampton development sites on council's 'Local Plan Part Two'

The council has set out dozens of sites for development as part of its Local Plan.

The borough council has set out hundreds of sites across Northampton that could be used for development up until 2029.

The 'Local Plan Part Two' has been published to explain how the council hopes to hit targets of building 18,870 new homes and create 28,500 new jobs.

It includes laying out how the council hopes to handle planning applications for the next decade - known as planning policy - as well as listing more than 100 possible areas for building projects.

Now, the council is asking residents to take the time to leaf through the nearly-200-page document and write back with any legal challenges they can see by August 24 as part of a consultation.

Councillor James Hill, Cabinet Member for planning, said: “I know people often feel that local government consultation is just a formality and that decisions have already been taken, but that’s not the case at all.

"We will be consulting on this document for the next six weeks and it is vital that people take that opportunity to comment.

“We’ve identified areas within the borough that could see development in the coming years and communities will be affected by that.

“It is important to remember that the contents of the document can only be challenged on whether the plan is sound and legally compliant, it’s not enough that people just don’t wish to see developments in their area.

“Of course, some developments will be enthusiastically welcomed by those living nearby and we’re interested to hear that feedback too.

“We made radical changes to the plan based on comments we received during the last round of consultation so it is worth people also responding this time.”

It comes after the 'Local Plan Part One' in 2017, in which the council eyed up several hundred "spare" plots of land across the town and consulted on whether they could be used for developments. It ranged from grass verges on the ends of neighbourhoods to the entire former Greyfriars bus station area.

The consultation is available online at the borough council website and we will also have a dedicated terminal within the Guildhall One-stop Shop for those who don’t have the technology to access the documents at home.