Insider Media Limited

Plans to transfer a wide range of planning decisions from West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) back to Northampton Borough Council (NBC) are being considered. If approved, a number of planning powers would be returned to the borough council to allow the development corporation to focus on large-scale projects. Peter Mawson, chief executive of WNDC, said that the transfer of power would be “carefully managed so it does not have a negative impact on the local planning service”.

The proposals will be discussed at NBC's Cabinet meeting on 15 September and follows a government review earlier this year.

WNDC works alongside the East Midlands’ local authorities, and helps deliver new jobs, homes and investment in Northampton, Daventry and Towcester.

Over the next two months, Daventry District Council, South Northamptonshire Council and Northamptonshire County Council will also consider the transfer of planning powers. The government will then pass legislation to amend WNDC's responsibilities and return powers to the local authorities.

It endorsed the view of the local authorities and WNDC that the Corporation's powers should be revised. In particular it recognised that NBC now had the expertise and professional leadership to resume responsibility for determining planning applications through a managed programme. The Corporation is therefore set to focus on large scale schemes only, with planning powers returning to the local authorities on a phased and managed basis.

From April 2011, the threshold for residential planning applications determined by NBC is due to be raised from 50 units to 199 units with similar increases in the scale of commercial application.

The revisions will also do away with the Northampton Central Planning Area so that the new thresholds are consistent across the Borough.

In Northampton town centre, where WNDC currently has responsibility for a wider range of applications than elsewhere, NBC will now be the responsible authority. In addition, it was announced that responsibility for Waste and Minerals applications will be returned to Northamptonshire County Council.

WNDC chief executive, Peter Mawson, said: "These changes will help us focus our resources where they're needed most, and support the local authorities to deliver new jobs, homes and investment for local people. We asked for these changes in 2009 and are pleased that the process is moving forward. We will ensure that the transfer is carefully managed so it does not have a negative impact on the local planning service.”

Councillor Richard Church, Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for planning and regeneration, said: "Decisions about the future of our town need to be in the hands of locally elected councils. Over the next few months we will be working closely with WNDC to make this change as smooth as possible.”