Community Governance Review - Draft Recommendation 5 - Oundle and Glapthorn

Overview

Summary of Proposals

Oundle Town Council proposal: the parish boundary between Oundle and Glapthorn currently runs through properties located on the Cotterstock Meadows development site. The Town Council proposal recommends that the boundary be redrawn along an agricultural track situated to the north of the water treatment works and electricity substation and then continue onto the river.

Oundle Town Council also proposes that the properties situated off Old Farm Lane that are currently located in Glapthorn parish be transferred into Oundle parish.

The Town Council observes that both the Old Farm Lane and Cotterstock Meadows developments are situated some distance from Glapthorn’s main built-up area, with agricultural land separating them from the core village. The Council suggests that residents of Cotterstock Meadows may identify more closely with the community of Oundle than with that of Glapthorn. It also notes that the views and circumstances of residents at Old Farm Lane may evolve over time.

Oundle Town Council has also suggested that both developments have led to coalescence with no discernible gap being maintained between the existing urban area of Oundle. This in time could lead to the loss of the separate identities of the two parish areas in these locations.

The Oundle Town Council submission also included a proposal to transfer land to the north of the primary school from the parish of Glapthorn into the parish of Oundle. This was based on a long term view (to 2045) that could see future residential development in this area. Development in this area would appear to be inconsistent with the coalescence policy in the Glapthorn Neighbourhood Plan. This review is predominantly concerned with development taking place in the next 5-10 years.

View the full submission (CGR 21, page 55) by Oundle Town Council.

View a map (Draft Recommendation 5, page 10) of the proposal.

Glapthorn Parish Council proposal suggested that the parish boundary currently bisecting the Cotterstock Meadows development should be moved so that the whole development is situated in Oundle.

The parish council undertook a consultation exercise with residents of the Cotterstock Meadows development in relation to moving the parish boundary that currently runs through the development. They received no feedback in relation to the proposal from the residents of Cotterstock Meadows.

In respect of the development at Old Farm Lane, Glapthorn Parish Council has suggested that the status quo be maintained with these properties remaining in Glapthorn Parish. The parish council also undertook consultation with the residents of the properties at Old Farm Lane. The contribution made by a number of residents of this development was recognised and noted in the parish council submission.

The parish council submission also referenced coalescence between the parishes of Oundle and Glapthorn and the inconsistency this creates with the policies contained in the adopted Glapthorn Neighbourhood Plan. The parish council’s proposal to retain the residences at Old Farm Lane in Glapthorn parish appears to be inconsistent with those policies.

View the full submission (CGR 20, page 51) by Glapthorn Parish Council.

Local residents’ response: we the Residents of Old Farm Lane would like to state that we wish to remain a part of Glapthorn Parish as we identify with the village of Glapthorn rather than the town of Oundle. We do not wish for the existing boundary adjoining our properties to be moved in any way.

Officer Comments

Anomalies have been identified in the Oundle–Glapthorn parish boundary, particularly at Cotterstock Meadows, where the current boundary divides the development. There is a clear case for realigning the boundary in this location to better reflect established community links and the pattern of recent development. While both the Cotterstock Meadows and Old Farm Lane developments lie within Glapthorn Parish, they maintain strong associations with Oundle. Consideration should also be given to the potential implications of future coalescence and to ensuring consistency with the aims, objectives and policies of the adopted Glapthorn Neighbourhood Plan.

Draft recommendation (Recommendation 5)

That the boundary at Cotterstock Meadows be realigned so that the entire development is located within Oundle Parish. Old Farm Lane development to be retained in the parish of Glapthorn.

Reason(s) for recommendations - The current parish boundary at Cotterstock Meadows is anomalous as it bisects the residential development, resulting in residents of the same community being in different parishes. Realigning the boundary so that the whole development falls within Oundle Parish would create a clearer, more logical boundary that better reflects the identity of the development and the community it serves.

Retaining the Old Farm Lane development within Glapthorn Parish acknowledges the views expressed by local residents and is reflected in the Glapthorn Parish Council submission.

The recommended approach provides a more coherent parish boundary, better reflects established community ties, and supports effective and convenient local governance.

Have your say by completing the survey below.