Draft Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area - Guidance and Mitigation Strategy Consultation

Feedback updated 13 Jul 2026

We asked

We asked for views on the draft Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPA Guidance and Mitigation Strategy. This guidance has been produced following updated evidence and will replace previous adopted versions of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPD and Mitigation Strategy.

You said

The consultation generated a number of representations from statutory bodies, parish and town councils, developers and planning consultants, environmental organisations, and members of the public. Respondents broadly supported the objective of protecting the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPA but raised concerns about scope, clarity, legal interpretation, proportionality, and implementation.

Details of the main issues raised can be found in the 9 June 2026 Executive Report.

We did

The 9 June 2026 Executive Report outlines how the responses have been considered and a revised version of the document was prepared for adoption. Particular changes made as a result of the consultation are:

  • The addition of an expanded section setting out the statutory status of the document and the weight to be afforded to it in decision making.
  • Guidance on transitional arrangements.
  • A clearer explanation of the scope of the document. Clarifying that the purpose is to focus on the likely significant effects of development on SPA/Ramsar qualifying features under the Habitats Regulations and that it does not replace Local Plan policies, protected species legislation or wider biodiversity strategies, such as the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. It focuses on those impacts which have been identified as the key issues adversely affecting the SPA and seeks to consolidate guidance from Natural England.
  • Additional guidance on designing SANGs as safe spaces accessible for all.
  • Further clarification on when SAMMs payments will be required.

The Executive adopted the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area Guidance and Mitigation Strategy on 9 June 2026.

Closed 21 Apr 2026

Opened 10 Mar 2026

Overview

North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council are jointly consulting on a Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area Guidance and Mitigation Strategy.

This Guidance will replace previous adopted versions of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPD and Mitigation Strategy for North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire.

This guidance has been produced following updated evidence to help Local Planning Authorities, developers and others ensure that development has no significant adverse effect on the integrity of the Special Protection Area (SPA), in accordance with the legal requirements of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) (‘the Habitats Regulations’).

The guidance outlines a consistent approach to both consulting Natural England and identifying potential significant effects on the SPA’s qualifying features. It provides detailed advice and guidance on implementing local plan policies relating to the SPA.

How to share your views

If you wish to make comments on the Draft Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPA Guidance and Mitigation Strategy please set out clearly in your response which part of the document you are commenting on. If you think the document should be changed to address your comments please provide details of your proposed changes. Your comments should cover succinctly all the information, evidence and supporting information necessary to support or justify the comment and any suggested changes as you may not have another chance to add more details later.

If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the Guidance please include this in your comments.

All comments must be submitted by 23.59 on 21 April 2026.

by email to: planningpolicy@northnorthants.gov.uk

or by post to:

SPA Guidance
Planning Policy and Place Making
North Northamptonshire Council
Cedar Drive
Thrapston
Northamptonshire
NN14 4LZ

Please note that late representations will not be accepted.

Where to view the draft Guidance

The draft Guidance is available to view here.

The draft Guidance is also available to inspect at the following locations during normal office hours, in addition to being available on both local planning authority’s websites:

North Northamptonshire:

  • North Northamptonshire Council, Cedar Drive, Thrapston, Northamptonshire NN14 4LZ
  • North Northamptonshire Council, Tithe Barn, Tithe Barn Road, Wellingborough NN8 1BZ
  • North Northamptonshire Council, The Rushden Resources Centre, Newton Road, Rushden, NN10 0PT

West Northamptonshire:

  • West Northamptonshire Council, One Angel Square, Angel Street, Northampton NN1 1ED
  • Towcester Library, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, NN12 6AD
  • Wootton Library, Wootton Community Centre, Curtlee Hill, Northampton NN4 6ED
  • Northampton Central Library, Abington Street, Northampton, NN1 2BA
  • Hunsbury Library, Overslade Close, Northampton’ NN4 ORZ
  • St James Library, Doddridge Centre, 109 St James Road, Northampton, NN5 5LD
  • Duston Library, Pendle Road, Northampton, NN5 6DT
  • Abington Library, Lindsay Avenue, Northampton, NN3 2SJ
  • Weston Favell Library, Weston Favel Centre, Northampton, NN3 8JZ
  • Moulton Library, Moulton Community Centre, Reedings, Moulton, NN3 7AX

  • Kingsthorpe Library, 8 Welford Road, Kingsthorpe, Northampton,NN2 8AG

An Equality Screening Assessment has also been developed.

What happens next

Before adopting the Guidance the councils will consider and address the comments received during the consultation period.

For information about how consultation and engagement responses are managed, please see NNC's consultation and engagement privacy notice and WNC's consultation and engagement privacy statement.

Interests

  • Consultations
  • Planning and building control