Reform council welcomes planning inspector's visit amid ongoing row with Government over Local Plan

The Planning Inspectorate will undertake a scheduled advisory visit while a public consultation takes place on the document, which will determine where thousands of new homes and other developments could be built between now and 2043.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has welcomed the visit, arguing that concerns about infrastructure, electricity grid capacity and alternative options for future growth still need addressing.

The development comes after housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook intervened last month to overturn the council's decision to abandon years of work on the Local Plan and begin again.

WNC's Planning Policy Committee had voted to restart the process, prompting the Government to use statutory powers to order the authority to continue with its existing draft.

The council subsequently submitted a formal response opposing the intervention, warning that proceeding without addressing its concerns could create further problems.

Council leader Councillor Mark Arnull said: “We welcome the opportunity for an independent Planning Inspector to conduct the advisory visit as part of the Local Plan process.

“The Council took the decision to pause the draft Plan because members wanted greater confidence that important matters, including infrastructure requirements and future growth options, had been fully considered. We have made those concerns clear to Government.”

The dispute has also exposed political divisions within WNC.

Councillor Arnull previously accused the Labour Government of overriding local democracy, while Labour opposition leader Councillor Sally Keeble described the decision to restart the process as “reckless”, warning it would cost more than £1 million.

Despite the council's objections, the Government directed WNC to launch its Regulation 19 consultation by October 5 and submit the plan by December 31.

The consultation opened on October 5 and will run until November 16.

It gives residents, businesses and organisations a final opportunity to challenge whether the draft plan is legally compliant and sound before independent examination next year.

The plan covers housing, jobs, transport, infrastructure and environmental protection across West Northamptonshire.

Councillor Arnull has encouraged people to participate, with their representations passed to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration during the 2027 examination.

Comments can be submitted through the council's Local Plan consultation website.