In 2010, the Government announced that WNDC’s development control powers would be returned to the relevant local authorities.
As a result, the Corporation’s planning responsibilities are being transferred to Northampton Borough Council, Daventry District Council, South Northamptonshire Council and Northamptonshire County Council on a phased basis.
The first stage of this transfer took place on 1st April 2011. The next and final phase of the transition is due to take place on 31st March 2012, subject to parliamentary approval.
For further information, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions below.
1. What planning powers are being transferred?
2. Why are the powers being transferred?
3. Does this mean that WNDC is shutting down?
4. When will the transition of WNDC’s planning powers take place?
5. When is the cut off date for submitting planning applications?
7. What are the arrangements for pre-application discussions?
8. Will the local authorities be adequately resourced?
9. Will I have the same case officer working on my application if it is transferred?
11. When is WNDC’s final planning committee?
14. Will my application be delayed by the planning powers transition?
16. Will I still be able to view planning applications online?
17. Will I have to re-submit my consultation response to a transferred application?
18. What will happen to WNDC’s records of previous planning applications?
1. What planning powers are being transferred?
All of WNDC’s remaining development control powers are being transferred to Northampton Borough Council, Daventry District Council and South Northamptonshire Council.
When WNDC was originally established, it assumed responsibility for determining strategic planning applications within its area of operation. This equated to developments of 50 homes or above and commercial schemes of 2,500 sq m or above.
In April 2011, a phased transfer of its planning powers commenced. The threshold for residential development was therefore raised to 200 homes, and smaller scale planning powers were returned to the local authorities. On 31 March 2012, the transfer of WNDC’s planning powers will be completed, with all of the Corporation’s remaining planning responsibilities being returned to the local authorities.
2. Why are the powers being transferred?
In January 2010 the Government announced the outcome of its Five Year Review of the UK’s three Urban Development Corporations
The review recognised that WNDC should focus its resources on the delivery of major town centre regeneration schemes, rather than the housing growth agenda. As a result, it announced that development control decision making powers held by WNDC should be returned to each local planning authority on a phased basis.
3. Does this mean that WNDC is shutting down?
No. The Corporation was established by government in 2004 with a 10 year lifespan and a remit to deliver new homes, jobs and investment in Northampton, Daventry and Towcester. It will complete its final delivery phase, focusing on major town centre regeneration projects including the redevelopment of the Grosvenor Centre, Castle Railway Station and the Waterside in Northampton. The Corporation is due to be succeeded in March 2014, by local authority led delivery arrangements.
4. When will the transition of WNDC’s planning powers take place?
Subject to Parliamentary approval, the transfer of WNDC’s planning powers will be officially completed on 31 March 2012. However, significant preparations will be made in the preceding months to ensure a smooth transition and minimise the impact on the local planning service.
5. When is the cut off date for submitting planning applications?
WNDC is obliged to register planning applications up until 31 March 2012. If you are expecting to submit a new planning application within WNDC’s urban development area, please continue to approach the Corporation in the first instance until advised otherwise. WNDC will consider your potential application with the relevant local authority and advise you on the most appropriate process for its determination.
6. What if a live planning application currently registered with WNDC is not determined before the transfer date?
WNDC still has a statutory responsibility to manage applications up until the transfer on 31 March 2012. However, to ensure a smooth transition of service, there will be arrangements in place with the local authorities to jointly consider and progress applications that are likely to be determined post March 2012. Should you have a live application currently registered with WNDC, specific arrangements for its determination will be discussed with you.
7. What are the arrangements for pre-application discussions?
New pre-application discussions may involve officers from both WNDC and the relevant local authority to help ensure a smooth transition. As always, the contents of such discussions will remain confidential.
8. Will the local authorities be adequately resourced?
The local authorities have been making arrangements to ensure they are adequately resourced and prepared to deal with the increased planning responsibilities. This potentially includes the transfer of relevant staff from WNDC.
9. Will I have the same case officer working on my application if it is transferred?
This cannot be guaranteed. However, prior to the transfer of responsibilities, WNDC and the local authorities will be processing applications in partnership, working towards a seamless transition of knowledge and information.
10. Who will be responsible for producing screening and scoping opinions for Environmental Impact Assessments prior to April 2012?
WNDC will continue to have a statutory responsibility to provide screening and scoping opinions up until the official transfer date of 31 March 2012. It will discuss such requests with the future planning authority, as necessary.
11. When is WNDC’s final planning committee?
WNDC’s final planning committees are scheduled for:
14 February 2012 (Northampton)
23 February 2012 (Towcester)
21 February 2012 (Daventry)
Please note that these dates may be subject to change. The latest dates can be found on the Planning Committees section of WNDC’s website.
12. If I have a live planning application that is not determined prior to 31 March 2012, will I have to resubmit it to the relevant local authority?
No, the relevant local authority will assume responsibility for your application as part of a seamless transition. Prior to the transfer you will be notified in writing about when, how, and to whom your files are transferred. You will also be provided with the relevant contact details. The application will be re-registered and the new authority will advise you of the determination process.
13. Will I have to pay another planning fee if my live application is transferred to a local authority?
No, the local authority will have to officially re-register your application, but you will not have to pay another registration fee.
14. Will my application be delayed by the planning powers transition?
By working in partnership and aligning planning processes well in advance of 31 March 2012, the local authorities and WNDC are aiming to avoid any undue delays to the determination of planning applications.
15. How will the collection and management of section 106 infrastructure contributions be affected by the transfer?
Any section 106 agreements signed by WNDC have confirmed specific levels of developer contributions for infrastructure requirements. These agreements will not be subject to change. However the responsibility for collecting payments, managing existing funds and enforcing other developer obligations, will be transferred to the relevant local authority along with the associated records and information.
Post 31 March 2012, WNDC will retain a record of what payments it had already received.
16. Will I still be able to view planning applications online?
After the transfer, each local authority will display live planning applications on their respective websites. You will also be able to search online for historical planning applications that were submitted to, and determined by WNDC.
Post 31 March 2012, WNDC will no longer offer a detailed online search function for planning applications. However, the Corporation’s website will display a list of all transferred applications, indicating where it has been transferred to, and relevant contact details.
17. Will I have to re-submit my consultation response to a transferred application?
No, completed consultations and any representations received will be transferred with the application, and the relevant local authority can continue to consider any comments submitted.
Both a hard and electronic copy of your previous correspondence will be forwarded to the authority and they will continue to store and manage your information in line with data protection legislation.
18. What will happen to WNDC’s records of previous planning applications?
They will be transferred to the relevant local authority. However, WNDC will retain a copy of each decision notice and publish a simple overview of all the planning applications it processed on its website.