Published: 09/09/2010 16:00 -
Updated: 08/09/2010 14:56
Controversial planning agency the West N o r t h a m p t o n s h i r e Development Corporation (WNDC) will be shut down and will start handing back powers to local authorities in the coming months.
WNDC has held planning powers for projects in Northampton, Daventry and Towcester but following a Government review will be closed.
The closure was announced last week by Bob Neils, Government minister for communities and local government, after he was invited to the town by Brian Binley, MP for Northampton South.
Mr Binley believes that handing back planning powers to local people can only be a good thing.
He said: “I am delighted at the way that this has moved on and WNDC is finally being closed down.
“However there is still a lot of expertise based there that is not currently available at the Guildhall and we need to find a way to use their knowledge and transfer it.
“I’m pleased to say that the plan for 18,000 new homes is dead and will not be going ahead.
“These homes will not be built on greenfield sites and because we recognise the need for new housing we will be focusing on the development of brownfield areas.
“The redevelopment of Ransom Road will now take place and shows how we are committed to creating wealth in the town. Projects like this will create new jobs and encourage new business in the town.” Andrea Leadsom, MP for South Northamptonshire, said: “Bob Neil’s announcement, during his visit to Northampton last week, that WNDC is going to be scrapped is great. My mail has been full of letters from furious residents asking how an unelected body can be determining the future of their community.
“The scrapping of WNDC is bringing local democracy back to Northamptonshire.” A date has not yet been set for complete closure but in the meantime WNDC will hand back some of its powers to Northampton Borough Council, providing they approve it at a cabinet meeting next week. From April 2011, plans of up to 199 units will be decided by NBC.
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.
“Northampton Borough Council will continue to work with WNDC to support major developments, particularly in our town centre, that will make Northampton a great place to live, work and enjoy.”
The closure was announced last week by Bob Neils, Government minister for communities and local government, after he was invited to the town by Brian Binley, MP for Northampton South.
Mr Binley believes that handing back planning powers to local people can only be a good thing.
He said: “I am delighted at the way that this has moved on and WNDC is finally being closed down.
“However there is still a lot of expertise based there that is not currently available at the Guildhall and we need to find a way to use their knowledge and transfer it.
“I’m pleased to say that the plan for 18,000 new homes is dead and will not be going ahead.
“These homes will not be built on greenfield sites and because we recognise the need for new housing we will be focusing on the development of brownfield areas.
“The redevelopment of Ransom Road will now take place and shows how we are committed to creating wealth in the town. Projects like this will create new jobs and encourage new business in the town.” Andrea Leadsom, MP for South Northamptonshire, said: “Bob Neil’s announcement, during his visit to Northampton last week, that WNDC is going to be scrapped is great. My mail has been full of letters from furious residents asking how an unelected body can be determining the future of their community.
“The scrapping of WNDC is bringing local democracy back to Northamptonshire.” A date has not yet been set for complete closure but in the meantime WNDC will hand back some of its powers to Northampton Borough Council, providing they approve it at a cabinet meeting next week. From April 2011, plans of up to 199 units will be decided by NBC.
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.
“Northampton Borough Council will continue to work with WNDC to support major developments, particularly in our town centre, that will make Northampton a great place to live, work and enjoy.”
