Minister orders council to hold Regulation 19 consultation on emerging Local Plan

The intervention came after the local authority’s Planning Policy Committee last week decided to restart the process of producing a new Local Plan, based on the 2026 National Planning Policy Framework and Town and Country Planning Regulations 2026. 

In his intervention letter, sent to West Northamptonshire’s Leader, Pennycook wrote: “As you know, considerable time, effort and investment has gone into the preparation of this emerging Plan.

“The decision not to progress it would not only see that time, effort and investment wasted, but would create further uncertainty and leave the council exposed to ongoing speculative development as a result of not having an up-to-date plan.”

The minister said he considered that the statutory test for intervention had been met.

He also pointed out that West Northamptonshire has not adopted a local plan since being established in 2021, and that its predecessors last adopted a joint plan in December 2014, “meaning the existing Local Plan which sets out strategic policies is 12 years old and the policies it contains are likely to be significantly out of date”.

He added: “The continued absence of an up-to-date local plan leaves the council vulnerable to piecemeal and speculative development, with reduced public engagement and fewer guarantees that it will make the most of the area’s potential.”

In relation to development needs, the minister acknowledged that the council has a positive record of delivering against the Housing Delivery Test.

However, he repeated that in the absence of an up-to-date plan, there was a high likelihood that development would come forward on a piecemeal and speculative basis.

“In addition, the council’s most recently published housing land supply position also puts the council at further risk of speculative development that is not plan led.”

In addition to directing West Northamptonshire to commence a Regulation 19 consultation by no later than 5 October 2026 for a minimum period of six weeks, Pennycook ordered the council to:

• submit the emerging Plan consulted on by no later than 31 December 2026 with any proposed minor modifications necessary after full consideration of representations received at consultation. “Should proposed modifications be more significant this should be set out to the Secretary of State, to consider whether further action is necessary”;
• not to take any step to withdraw the Plan and report monthly (from the date of his letter) to ministry officials on the progress of the Plan; and
• progress the Plan up to the end of the examination process.

The council has also been told to publish on its website a revised Local Development Scheme by latest 5 October 2026 to reflect these directions.

Cllr Mark Arnull, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: “We are deeply disappointed that the Government has chosen to intervene in our decision to start afresh on our Local Plan. 

“We made our decision in the best interests of our residents to ensure we had the time needed to prepare the right Plan that addresses their concerns, reflects the new National Planning Policy Framework, and adequately shape the future growth of our communities. 

“We firmly believe our communities deserve a Local Plan that is truly deliverable, reflects local priorities and commands public confidence, not one that has been simply pushed through by the Government to meet their deadlines and expectations.”

Cllr Arnull added: “Our residents should not be forced to choose between having a Plan quickly and having a Plan that works. Despite our disappointment we will now carefully consider the Government's direction and its implications, while continuing to make the case for a Local Plan that delivers sustainable growth in the right places and at the right pace for West Northamptonshire."