Northamptonshire Arc · low carbon Northamptonshire A Stronger and Green Economy Transformed Connectivity Northamptonshire Arc Figure 1: Integrated approach What is the spatial focus?

A Prosperity Plan for Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Arc

October 2011

A Prosperity Plan for Northamptonshireii

A Prosperity Plan for Northamptonshire1

What is the Northamptonshire Arc?The Northamptonshire Arc is a locally developed spatial concept covering the whole county. It represents an integrated approach to economic development, the environment and connectivity and is one of the first concepts of its type in the country.

Why is it needed?Northamptonshire has strong ambitions to be a leading area for innovation, business growth, and green technologies, to attract private sector investment, and to enhance the special environmental, built and rural qualities and local heritage which make it a great place to live.

This needs a single strategy and coherent approach which expresses priorities in a practical and spatial way. The details of this strategy are outlined in this document. It is a living document, replacing the background document which was published in 2010. This strategy is accompanied by a series of more detailed documents which focus on particular themes. These include Connectivity, the Environment and the Economy.

The goal is that this strategy becomes a statutory document.

How will it be used?The Northamptonshire Arc provides the strategic context for future plans and investment in areas such as planning, economic development, broadband, transport, waste, education and health. It has already been adopted by Northamptonshire County Council to help guide its investment activities and secured wider support from other local partners. It is also being used to help secure private sector and central government investment into the area and attract businesses and jobs.

It also complements the Core Spatial Strategies which act as the key documents for allocating housing and development and are prepared by the borough and district councils and Joint Planning Committees. It does this by helping to identify where major investment and action is needed to support development. It will also help to provide a context for the preparation of neighbourhood plans.

Introduction 1‘one of the fastest growing economies outside of London’

‘Northamptonshire Arc represents an integrated approach’


A naturally resilient and low carbon

Northamptonshire

A Stronger and Green Economy

Transformed Connectivity

NorthamptonshireArc

Figure 1: Integrated approach

What is the spatial focus?The Northamptonshire Arc focuses on a broad arc of economic and innovation activity in the centre of England. Activity is particularly concentrated on the A43 and A45 corridor. Within this area is a cluster of intrinsically linked settlements which include Northampton, Corby, Daventry, Kettering and Wellingborough and a number of other centres. The population of this area is growing at almost three times the rate for England. Official government projections suggest that this growth is set to continue. Independent estimates suggest that the economy of this area (expressed as gross value added – GVA) has the potential to grow from £14bn (2008) to £20bn by 2021 and create more than 70,000 additional jobs. This would make it one of the fastest growing economies outside of London.

Northamptonshire is connected by a number of key national economic arteries including the M1, M6, M40, A14, A43 and A45 as well as the West Coast and Midland Main Lines, Eurostar rail connections and the Chiltern Line. This means that it has unrivalled access to the continent, London, the Midlands and the North as well as the East and East Coast Ports and the South and South Coast Ports (via the A34). It would also be bisected by the new High Speed Line (HS2) should this go-ahead.

The Arc also includes a significant stretch of the River Nene and its tributaries and the habitats they support and therefore is rich in biodiversity. However, its wider sphere of influence extends beyond this and includes smaller towns, villages and the more rural areas.

Engagement

Extensive engagement has taken place on the Northamptonshire Arc. This has included a formal consultation process and conversations with various organisations and key opinion formers from the private, public and third sectors as well as discussions with local communities. Feedback from this has been crucial in developing this document.

‘Unrivalled access to the

continent, London, the

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major Ports’


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Luton Airport Parkway

London Stansted

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Signi�cant Trans European andNational Road Network

HS2 West Coast Northampton LinkHS2 Midland Mainline Electri�cation

Airport

Green Arc (biodiversity corridor)

Infrastructure Gap(internal and external connectivity)

Figure 2: Infrastructure Deficit

‘A broad Arc of economic and innovation activity in the centre of England’

‘growth will be slowed, or stalled altogether, without further investment to address infrastructure gaps’


The Northamptonshire Local Economic Assessment is a statutory document produced by the County Council. It provides a robust and informed evidence base about the local economy. This equips local authorities and partners with a common understanding of local economic conditions and the economic, social and environmental factors that impact on economic growth. This improved understanding ensures that future policy and activity is based on a shared understanding of local economic challenges and priorities, and enables more informed economic interventions and better spatial prioritisation of investment.

The Assessment provides evidence on a range of issues that relate to the local economy, and looks at some of the relationships between these factors. This includes an objective assessment of the Northamptonshire economy, both its strengths and weaknesses, and the identification of some of the potential opportunities and threats to economic growth and prosperity. The Local Economic Assessment therefore provides a crucial evidence base to the Northamptonshire Arc.

Context, Evidence and Analysis2

Northamptonshire LEA 2010/11 Evidence and analysis of the local economy: Executive Summary | 1

Northamptonshire Local Economic Assessment 2010/11 Evidence and analysis of the local economyExecutive Summary

March 2011

© adrienneserra 2011

‘The Local Economic Assessment provides a crucial evidence base’

‘The aspiration is for GVA to exceed £20bn by the end of this decade and it is on track for this to happen’

Source: 2000-2008 ONS December 2010

2000

£9.3bn

2005

£12.1bn

2008

£14.1bn

2020

£20bn+

The aspiration is for Northamptonshire’s GVA to exceed £20bn by the end of this decade and it is on track for this to happen.

Figure 3: The Northamptonshire Economy (Gross Valued Added)


People and communities

Strengths

• Attractiveness of the area as a place to live and move to

• High population growth

• A relatively young population with much higher than average levels of children

• Low rates of economically inactivity

• Number of residents receiving benefits is below regional and national averages

• Generally good health profile

• Strong sense of place both county and community

Opportunities

• Build on existing strengths and attractiveness of the area to people as a place to live, learn, visit and invest

• Encourage and support social enterprise

• Encourage and increase multi agency working to develop practical and effective solutions that support people to return to work

• Help to ensure that all young people have the skills to succeed and maximise their potential

• Develop competitive edge provided by a relatively young population

• Encourage healthy lifestyles

• Promote inclusive and safe communities

Weaknesses

• Increasingly ageing population in line with national trends

• Small pockets of deprivation across the county, concentrated in Northampton

• Increasing rate of bankruptcies

• Increasing numbers of people claiming housing benefit

Threats

• Ability of public services to adapt and deal with growing and changing population

• Large increases in the numbers of older people will have a great impact on the provision of health care facilities

• Increased birth rates will impact on the provision of education facilities and school place planning

‘Encourage and support social enterprise’


Development and Infrastructure

Strengths

• Polycentric spatial pattern with a major county town (Northampton) surrounded by a mixture of medium and small sized towns, many with historic core areas, attractive villages and varied countryside

• Strategic location with excellent road connections with the rest of the UK via the M1, M6, M40 and A14

• Direct access to the West Coast Main Line, Midland Main Line and Chiltern Line services and access to the East Coast Main Line via Peterborough

• Established track record of growth and development

• Strong pipeline of major regeneration and development schemes (many with planning permission) in a variety of locations and both town centre and edge of town

• Interest from major private sector developers and investors

• Availability of employment sites in close proximity to key local and national distribution networks and strong demand for distribution and logistics space

• Excellent choice of housing with prices below the national average

• Relatively low land prices compared to areas to the south

• Programmed roll-out of Next Generation Broadband infrastructure to many areas

• Proactive public sector

• A rich architectural heritage and cultural offer

Weaknesses

• Lack of a major national scale commercial, cultural and retail offer

• Shortage in prime town centre offices especially for large users

• Absence of an adopted and joined-up planning framework covering the whole county because of separate approaches for the north and west

• Restricted access to primary road links due to movement constraints at the M1/M6/A14 junction

• Increased reliability issues on the strategic road network and particularly the A43/A45 corridors and on the A14 around Kettering

• Lack of orbital connectively around the west and north of Northampton

• Weak orbital public transport connections around Northampton


Opportunities

• Scope to promote low carbon development and technologies and to be a national exemplar for green growth

• Scope to use surplus public sector sites to stimulate development and attract private sector investment

• A portfolio approach with readily available sites to attract inward investment

• Develop innovation and enterprise network

• Move towards next generation distribution and logistics to maintain the areas competitive edge and reduce carbon emissions

• Press for innovative funding solutions to invest in improved infrastructure including improvements to the strategic and local road network, such as capturing and retaining business rates locally

• Work with other areas to press for improvements to key national economic arteries such as the A14

• Develop innovative and attractive mass transit and demand responsive options to help improve access and reduce congestion

• Roll out leading edge Next Generation Broadband access across the county to help local businesses

Threats

• Viability issues block potential regeneration and development schemes and/or create increased pressure on existing infrastructure because of limited funding to invest in additional capacity

• Risk that a solely market led approach leads to short-termism and an over-supply of particular types of accommodation in some areas

• Lack of readily high-quality commercial office floorspace, particularly in Northampton town centre, may impact on attracting inward investment, retail and other activities

• Lack of attractive alternatives to the car means that access is limited and congestion increased impacting on network reliability and bringing extra costs to businesses

• Pressure from increasing road congestion is accelerated by the economic recovery and this reduces the attractiveness of the area as a place to live, learn, visit and invest

‘Leading edge Next Generation Broadband access’


Environment

Strengths

• Wealth of natural assets and habitats

• Recycling rates are amongst the highest in the country

• Commitment to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill

• Significant work has already been completed to identify past and future water-related issues including flood risk

• Climate change and low carbon strategy in place with the resource to implement actions

• Work is underway to develop a business case for creating a natural environment which is more resilient to the effects of climate change

• Commitment to develop low carbon transport solutions

• Commitment to implement technologically diverse mix of renewable energy generation projects

• A UK Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Wastes Management and resource efficiency

Weaknesses

• Major loss of natural habitats in recent years

• Carbon emissions are relatively high across the county with more than 30% of emissions from road transport

• Relatively slow uptake of low carbon technologies by businesses


‘Innovative design to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency’

Opportunities

• Massive scope through planning policy and other initiatives to encourage and bring forward innovative design for new buildings which reduce carbon emissions and increase overall energy efficiency

• Encourage sustainable drainage systems in all new development

• Scope to promote Northamptonshire as the national lead for low carbon-related technologies and sustainable construction

• Identification of a vanguard low carbon enterprise zone with incentives to encourage innovation and clean technologies

• Potential to offer incentives and priority access to clean technology vehicles to promote the environmental technology sector

• Promotion of low carbon waste technologies and solutions to both households and businesses

• Scope to promote recreational opportunities which complement the environment and increase enjoyment and appreciation of conservation

• Predicted growth in the renewable energy market and scope to exploit local opportunities including the growth and use of bio fuels and related technology

• New habitat creation through development

• Establishment of a strategic biodiversity corridor focused on the Nene Valley

• Scope to encourage community led activity to improve the local environment

• Promote opportunities for significant tree planting activity including in relation with new development

• Sensitive agriculture supporting, creating and nurturing natural habitats

• Promotion of low carbon initiatives within the public sector

• Continue to promote initiatives to minimise waste from households to further reduce levels of waste

• Promote use of local food, materials and energy where possible including local supply chains

• Work in partnership with businesses to promote environmental and social responsibility

Threats

• Focus on the economic recovery shifts attention away from the need to address climate change agenda

• Effects of climate change – failure to act on emissions reductions will result in increasing CRC (carbon tax) bill for large organisations

• Lack of major environmental designations leaves door open for development in sensitive areas

• Increases in household numbers and in business premises will increase pressure on the environment and carbon emissions

• Demand for natural resources e.g. sand and gravel, impacting on important natural habitats

• Intensive agriculture impacting on natural habitats


Business and enterprise

Strengths

• Strong and growing economy worth £13.5bn in 2007 and with the potential to increase to over £20bn by 2021

• Reputation as a growth location and success story

• Economy not reliant on one sector

• Relatively low reliance on public sector employment

• Presence of world leading brand names including Barclaycard, Nationwide, Weetabix, and Carlsberg

• Very strong business survival rates - 93% of firms survive beyond their first year

• Established location for international inward investment by business

• World leading concentration of high performance engineering and motorsport related businesses

• Leading national centre for distribution and logistics and acknowledged as the focus of the Golden Triangle

• Network of enterprise and innovation centres in the county

Weaknesses

• Relatively low profile for some key growing sectors e.g. pharmaceuticals

• Relatively low levels of business starts ups

• High concentrations of activity in relatively lower value-added sectors and jobs


Opportunities

• Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership Board with enhanced business representation provides a platform for direct dialogue with Government and able to inform local public sector investment

• Raise innovation levels through improved skills, stronger research and development capabilities, encouraging more innovation in science and technology and driving forward the successful commercialisation of ideas

• Build on existing strengths in high growth sectors including clean technologies

• Press for a government-sponsored technology and innovation centre in the county

• Strengthen innovation and enterprise centre network

• Embed iCon Environmental Innovation Centre at Daventry as the leading national offer for innovation in sustainable construction related businesses and a catalyst for growth in the off-site construction sector

• Promote innovative and lower carbon distribution and logistics

• Strengthen trade and other links with the fast growing economies

• Establish an Enterprise Zone in the county

• Create an environment for the development and support of new Social Enterprises

• Develop local supply chains

• Promote awareness of public sector procurement opportunities to local businesses and encourage inclusion of environmental, social and economic benefits in the procurement process

• Add value to the national business support offer

• Introduce a Business Angels scheme providing mentoring, support and equity finance

Threats

• Uncertain economic recovery

• Impact of cuts in public sector budgets and spending in the private sector

• Pressure to reduce local public sector investment in economic development due to other budget pressures

• Cut backs in the national business support offer particularly in relation to start-up support

‘Raise innovation levels through improved skills, stronger research and development capabilities’


Labour market

Strengths

• High economic activity and employment rates across the county

• Diverse and flexible skill base

• Comparably young and mobile labour force

• Relatively low unemployment

• High concentration of very high skilled engineers including world leading skills in the motorsport and high performance engineering sector

• Concentration of knowledge and skills in logistics due to the county’s strategic location

• High quality further and higher education sector with a track record of innovation and collaborative working

• Close proximity to a number of world class universities including Cambridge, Oxford and Warwick

• Improving pupil attainment and school performance

• Competitive labour costs in comparison with London and the South East

Weaknesses

• 42% of employees are in higher level occupations which is below the national average and that of surrounding areas

• Low demand for skills from employers means a significant number of people are underemployed.

• Levels of self-employment are low

• Average earnings are below the national average with wide variations

• Growing number of long term unemployed particularly younger people and concentrated in certain areas

• Lack of take up of apprenticeships by young people.

• Poor perception of the opportunities available in key sectors such as manufacturing/engineering and logistics.


Opportunities

• Promote and build on established training offers to growing sectors such as clean technologies

• Encourage greater involvement from local businesses in developing future education, skills and training offers

• Closer collaboration between further and higher education providers to strengthen the quality and range of training on offer

• Develop a network of University Technical Colleges

• Identify and develop synergies between the University of Northampton and surrounding universities to strengthen individual and collective offers

• Embed employability skills across the education curriculum (11-19)

• Develop enterprise training as part of the curriculum in vocational subjects that could lead to self employment

• Raise aspirations of young people by providing timely, relevant and personal careers advice that includes the complete range of choices and progression routes available

• Ensure that graduates have the skills necessary to meet the needs of the local economy

• Promote apprenticeships as a positive career choice to prospective trainees and the wider public

• Develop practical solutions to encourage employers to take on apprentices

• Promote the business case for linking skills development with improved productivity

Threats

• Graduate leakage to other areas

• Increased levels of unemployment and growing trend in worklessness in young people

‘Develop a network of University Technical Colleges’


The Northamptonshire Arc involves a new approach to spatial planning bringing together transport, broadband, environmental issues, biodiversity, and economic regeneration. It is underpinned by the pursuit of three high level outcomes. These are transformed connectivity, a naturally resilient and low carbon Northamptonshire and a stronger and greener economy.

Ten long-term priorities have been identified which provide the framework for specific initiatives and prioritising investment and activity. These have been informed by the evidence and analysis provided by the Northamptonshire Local Economic Assessment and feedback from the public consultation and other discussions. These priorities are:

1. Enhancing strategic connections and addressing congestion on the road network

2. Making public transport and cycling more attractive and encouraging and incentivising low-carbon travel

3. Enabling 100% countywide access to superfast broadband

4. Creating a naturally resilient Northamptonshire (including a network of accessible and connected green spaces)

5. Managing waste and supporting green technologies

6. Supporting innovation, enterprise and business growth

7. Encouraging social enterprise

8. Developing the skills to succeed

9. Regenerating Northampton town centre and waterside

10. Supporting town centre regeneration

Explanation of the three outcomes, the ten priorities and specific initiatives are set out below.

High level outcome - Transformed connectivityTransformed connectivity means better mobility and accessibility. This is essential for economic growth and prosperity. By improving connectivity Northamptonshire can build the balanced dynamic economy that is essential for future prosperity. Improving connectivity involves optimising the use of the network, making it fit for purpose and ensuring it is safe, addressing infrastructure gaps, and lowering carbon emissions. It also involves improving accessibility for residents, visitors and businesses.

Priority 1: Enhancing strategic connections and addressing congestion on the road networkStrategic road connections provide the main arteries for economic growth. These connections include the M1, M6 and A14 which all form part of the strategic national network. The latter is also a priority European trade route and part of the Trans-European Road Network (TEN). The effective operation and connectivity of the national strategic road network and these routes through the county is crucial not only to the local economy, but also national economic performance.

A key initiative for Northamptonshire and a major infrastructure gap in the national strategic road network is an ‘all moves’ interchange between the M1, M6 and A14. This is critical to the logistics sector and the national economy and is supported by business leaders. Investment is also needed in the M1 and A14 to address congestion and its detrimental effects and improve reliability.

The Northamptonshire Arc Approach3


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This includes the Strategic Road Network, for the growth of Northampton and Railways.

M1 Junction 19 – current plans for an ‘all moves’ upgrade.

Dualling of the A43 Northampton to Kettering – including upgrading of

the A14/A43 roundabout interchange.

A43 North – investigation of further upgrades including for

potential dualling through to the junction with the A1 at Stamford.

A43 South – improvements required to permit development at Brackley and

Towcester, and an A5 bypass for Towcester.

Master Planning requirements for Silverstone - including better events

management i.e. telematic signs etc.

A45 Nene Valley Way – further upgrades including providing greater capacity for

the Queen Eleanor roundabout interchange.

A45 Northampton to Wellingborough – further upgrades including to the

A43 Riverside roundabout interchange and the Wilby Way roundabout.

A45 Wellingborough to the A14.

A45 Northampton to Daventry.

North and North West Northampton Development Areas – schemes for

the Sandy Relief Road South and Sandy Lane Improvements North now complete; Sandy Lane Relief Road North has planning permission but negotiations still ongoing with developers; Dallington Grange link to be provided as part of the Sustainable Urban Extension. The need for completion of the North-West Bypass through to the Northampton North of Whitehills SUE, and any other infrastructure improvements to the east, is subject to further investigation linked to the emerging core spatial strategy proposals.

Northampton Radial Routes in need of upgrade – including Lumbertubs

Way, Kingsthorpe Corridor and connections through to Dallington Grange/Kings Heath.

Northampton Town Centre – network to enable all key town centre developments

to progress on the basis of a joined up approach – to include improved connectivity to the railway station and the development and implementation of new car parking and bus strategies, through projects such as the Angel Street development, St John’s development, the Marina development and the L&G/NBC town centre development including a new bus station.

Northampton Town Centre to Brackmills Connectivity – develop better

sustainable transport links including further investigation of the old railway line option.

Other key Northamptonshire schemes – Corby Link Road and Isham Bypass.

Railways - ensuring express journey times to London and Birmingham based

on current ‘best’ times Wellingborough to London. Safeguarding of the County’s position with regard to HS2 developments.

Figure 4: Northamptonshire Transport Strategy – Key Infrastructure

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‘strategic road connections provide the main arteries for economic growth’


The A43/A45 artery through the county provides a strategic role as a link between the South Coast Ports and M4 (via the A34), the M1/M6 (which connects the Midlands and North), and the A14 (which provides a link with the East Coast Ports). This should be acknowledged as a strategic national route.

There is a danger that economic growth and prosperity will be slowed or stalled altogether without further investment in this route to address infrastructure gaps and improve reliability and resilience. This includes the need for improvements to the A43 between Northampton and the A14 at Kettering, and further northwards at Corby and south of Northampton – particularly at Brackley and Towcester (including an A5 relief scheme for the town). It also includes improvements to support the Silverstone Circuit Master Plan and facilitate the creation of new jobs and attract investment. Essential improvements to the A45 include the Northampton-Daventry Development Link and improvements to the Nene Valley Way between the M1 and Wellingborough. Together these improvements form part of a wider package for the A43/A45 artery.

Northampton is the county town and the main commercial centre for the economic area of Northamptonshire. Investment is needed to enable all key town centre developments to progress on the basis of a joined-up approach. This includes improved connectivity to the railway station and the development and implementation of new car parking, park and ride, and bus strategies. The principal radial routes also need to be upgraded to enable better access between the town centre, major employment areas (including Brackmills) and new development areas. Investments in the road network will be part of a comprehensive approach for Northampton which also incorporates investment to support the use of new technology, low carbon modes and ‘smarter choices’. This will include investment in traffic management systems to help improve the operation of the network and provide real-time travel information to road users.

Investment in roads and new technology needs to be coupled with better rail services to deliver real benefits to the economy. Improvements to services on the West Coast Main Line (including investment in new trains) have the potential to benefit Northampton by providing faster and more frequent services and by helping to attract additional investment and businesses to the area. Upgrades to the Midland Main Line (including electrification northwards of Bedford into the county and north to Sheffield) also have the potential to improve connections to services across London and the South East (and via Eurostar services at St Pancras to mainland Europe), reduce pollution, and enable more reliable and faster journey times.

The logistics and distribution sector is essential to the economy, but it also has a big impact on the road network and the environment. Freight consolidation centres can help to reduce this impact. These are distribution warehouses at which part loads are consolidated and delivered to the target area resulting in fewer journeys. Research from centres already in operation suggests that they can reduce journeys by about 80% and cut carbon emissions from freight by over 50% .

The ability to move freight by rail is crucial to the economy. This importance is likely to grow with the need to reduce congestion and lower carbon emissions. Northamptonshire is ideally based to capitalise on the growth of this and lead innovation in the logistics sector. The reason for this is its central location and proximity to national economic arteries, and the presence of a large cluster of leading logistics companies and operations. Northamptonshire is also home to two freight transfer terminals. These are Eurohub (at Corby) and the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) which is the country’s premier road and rail distribution hub with pathways to major ports, rail terminals and the channel tunnel.

At its Full Council meeting on 23rd Junethe County Council agreed:

‘That this Council confirms its support for the principle of High Speed Rail in Britain, but only if:

WCML

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NorthamptonDaventry

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To Oxford To London

To Birmingham

To Coventry

To Cambridge

To Barnbury

Northamptonshire Biodiversity Corridor

Map Key

Severely Over Capacity

Over Capacity

Approaching Capacity


A clear, professionally certified business case is made for the value for money of the investment needed, which significantly outweighs the advantages for the same investment which could otherwise be made into the existing transportation infrastructure of the county.

That the Council, recognising that the advent of high speed services is probably 15 years away for the west coast line and 30 years away for cities served by the Midland Mainline, urges that improvements sought in the nearer future to existing infrastructure and services should be given a high priority so that capacity and service enhancement is achieved in the interim and is available for conventional services if the high speed service comes on stream’

Initiatives include:

• An ‘all moves’ upgrade to M1 Junction 19 (connecting the M1, M6 and A14)

• A14 improvements, including around Kettering

• A43 and A45 arteries package

• Northampton town centre, growth and connectivity package

• Connect Northamptonshire - improved Traffic and Travel Information

• Freight consolidation centres with industry

• Northamptonshire fastrail agenda – involving a minimum of two fast services per hour with journey times of less than 40 minutes to London and Birmingham

Priority 2: Making public transport and cycling more attractive and encouraging and incentivising low-carbon travelDetailed local studies and investigations have analysed growth on the transport network and identified problem corridors. The findings of this work indicate that a new mass-transit alternative is needed to help meet the forecast increase in demand for travel and manage its impact on the transport network. Without this it is unlikely that high levels of economic growth and prosperity can be sustained.

The proposal is to develop and implement a strategy for a high quality Northamptonshire Arc Transit network (NAT). This initiative would utilise the latest new technology (such as active demand management and real time information) to optimise the use of the network and ensure that traffic moves smoothly. Mass transit links would be introduced between the town centres, major employment sites and new developments and this will help to transform internal connectivity and improve access to transport hubs and the strategic network. This is a long-term objective and it is likely that the network would be implemented in phases. The ambition is to provide an attractive, practical, affordable and low carbon alternative to the private car not only for urban travel, but also for inter-urban journeys.

In Northamptonshire, as in many other places, provision of a conventional bus network in the rural areas is difficult, and where services do exist, very few are run commercially. Reduced public sector funding means that different, more innovative, approaches are needed. The best solution in some areas may be the provision of demand responsive services and other innovative approaches where passengers are able to match lifts and book services on-line. Where there is strong support for such an approach the County Council will work with communities to help them design and develop the locally led solutions that work best for them.

Other important initiatives include introducing smartcards, improving facilities for cyclists, and encouraging the provision of infrastructure (including charging points) for ultra-low carbon vehicles. Further details of these initiatives are set out in the Connecting Northamptonshire Action Plan.


• A Northamptonshire Arc Transit network

• Rural accessibility and mobility solutions and incentives

• Smartcards

• Cycling network

• Plugged in Places Charging Infrastructure

‘new mass-transit alternative needed to help meet the forecast increase in demand for travel and manage impact on the transport network’


Priority 3: Enabling100% countywide access to superfast broadbandAccess to superfast broadband across Northamptonshire is essential to businesses, for education, for entertainment and increasingly for accessing many public services. It can also help to reduce social exclusion and help people retain their independence for longer. It is therefore crucial to future prosperity and well-being.

The County Council and key partners are implementing the superfast Northamptonshire initiative. This aims to provide everyone in the county with access to improved services and for the county to be at the leading-edge of the global digital economy. This will transform the way public services are delivered, help people to help themselves and reduce social exclusion, support enterprise and innovation, improve skills and educational attainment, and reduce carbon emissions. It is anticipated that the new technology which will be employed across the county will enable speeds of at least 40Mbps to be achieved and for this to be the norm. This compares to a county average of 7.2 Mbps (Source: Ofcom 2011) However this masks many parts of the county where speeds are far lower than this including some areas which do not have access to broadband. The target is to deliver this vision by 2017. This will involve a total investment in excess of £100m. A large proportion of this investment will be provided by private telecoms providers taking account of commercially viable opportunities.

The County Council is leading the drive to provide better broadband access to areas where it would not be commercially viable for private telecoms providers to invest without public support. This covers over 60,000 premises. The County Council is working with Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK – the body which has been established by central government to manage the roll-out of superfast broadband) to help make this happen. This initiative has strong backing from local businesses, public sector organisations, politicians and local communities, particularly in the rural areas.

Investment in new infrastructure will be accompanied by improved on-line services and information (including better on-line travel information), support for businesses to help them utilise the potential provided by better broadband access, and close liaison with communities and the telecoms industry to improve local provision and encourage take-up.


• Superfast Northamptonshire broadband

High level outcome - A naturally resilient and low carbon NorthamptonshireBuilding a naturally resilient environment and lowering carbon emissions is imperative to future prosperity. Investment in Northamptonshire’s natural environment is essential to meeting the county’s growth aspirations, protecting communities from inevitable climate change and providing a range of economic, social and environmental benefits.

The main thrust of this approach is the relationship between biodiversity and adapting to climate change, and the economic benefits that the use of ‘natural interventions’ such as reinstatement of floodplains, tree planting, green roofs, and sustainable drainage systems can bring to Northamptonshire. The natural environment can also provide us with potential energy sources that can be used to reduce the carbon emissions we produce, and to provide electricity and heat for homes and businesses.

This requires action across a number of themes including agriculture and food production, bio-fuels and renewable energy, protecting and reconnecting habitats, flood and water management, recreation and tourism, micro-climate control, and community and place-making. It requires co-ordination and prioritisation at a more strategic scale, as well as more detailed and site specific projects and interventions.


Priority 4: Creating a naturally resilient environment (network of accessible and connected green spaces)The prime focus for this action, and transformational activity, is a ‘green-arc’ (‘biodiversity corridor’) which sweeps through the county from Daventry and Brackley/Towcester in the south-west to Corby and Oundle to the north and with the Nene Valley at its core. It encompasses a number of the county’s principal natural assets and habitats and key public open spaces including country parks.

One the county’s principal assets is the waterways and in particular the River Nene. This is already recognised as an international important area for wetland birds and has further opportunities for large scale wetland habitat recreation linked to the re-use of former mineral sites.

The goal is to build ‘natural resilience’ through the use of natural interventions such as significant areas of new tree planting to enable Northamptonshire to adapt to the likely impacts of climate change and maximise the benefits from the environment - focussing on the ‘green-arc’ of the County’s key natural assets. Future activities will include mapping out, identifying and promoting the assets and opportunities associated with this corridor as part of a wider integrated approach linking the environment, tourism and the wider economy.

This approach fits with the Natural Environment White Paper ‘The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature’.

Another important initiative is Destination Nene Valley which will support the development of this area as a recognised destination for sustainable tourism.


• Northamptonshire ‘green arc’ (‘biodiversity corridor’) package including tree-planting and managing natural floodplains

• Destination Nene Valley

Priority 5: Managing waste and supporting green technologiesNorthamptonshire has produced a Climate Change Strategy for 2010-14 which sets out a framework for individual and collective action. This involves raising awareness of Climate Change and its impact on Northamptonshire, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and planning for and adapting to the inevitable impacts of Climate Change.

A key contribution to the success of this approach will be minimising waste through the 3Rs (‘reduce, re-use, recycle’). Northamptonshire is already home to many new technologies, which are helping to divert more waste away from landfill. The Institute of Waste Management is located in Northampton and the University of Northampton is a centre of excellence for waste management. The waste management sector has considerable potential for future growth, particularly through supporting and harnessing innovation.

Energy management is another important sector that needs attention. This includes:

• Encouraging the production and sourcing of energy from low carbon energy sources and methods – via renewable and alternative energy sources, fuels and sequestration (CO2 storage)

• Using resources (in particular energy) more efficiently – via more efficient energy conversion devices, combined heat and power, district heating etc.

• Serving local needs by local production including food, materials, energy and local supply chains

• Adopting higher awareness and compliance with environmental and social responsibility initiatives

This approach also complements action to support innovation and growth in the clean technologies sector and establish a ‘cluster of excellence’ in Northamptonshire through the ‘Engine of Growth’ initiative.

‘the prime focus is a ‘green arc’ (biodiversity corridor)’


High level outcome - A Stronger Greener EconomyNorthamptonshire has many of the ingredients necessary to help build a platform for a stronger, greener economy. These include a unique location at the hub of national road network, a world-leading offer in high performance engineering and motorsport, an unrivalled offer for distribution and logistics, easy access to markets and labour, close proximity to leading academic and research establishments (including Oxford, Cambridge and Warwick Universities), and a growing network of innovation and enterprise centres to support small and growing business.

This is backed up by strategic leadership from the private sector, through the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership and Northamptonshire Ambassadors network, to help bring these ingredients together and develop new opportunities and in doing so, attract business and investment and create more private sector jobs in the area.

Priority 6: Supporting innovation, enterprise and business growthNorthamptonshire is already a leading location for performance engineering companies and new product development. The ambition is to build on these strengths and make Northamptonshire the centre of UK and European development in performance engineering and clean technologies. This vision is central to the ‘Engine of Growth’ concept. Pivotal to this concept is enhancing the proportion of business growth. It will include identifying and building on synergies with surrounding universities and research centres to support innovation, encouraging potential entrepreneurs, supporting the growth of local companies, and attracting new businesses to stimulate job creation.

This will also involve working with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) to secure Northamptonshire’s position as a location that attracts and supports small and growing advanced technology companies as well as large scale international investment.


• The ‘Engine of Growth’ concept which will establish Northamptonshire as a UK and European centre for development in performance engineering and clean technologies

The county is taking a lead role in the UK encouraging the development of new forms of construction technology. A catalyst for this is the Sustainable Construction Innovation Centre at Daventry, I-Con. This building has 60 units for start-up businesses, a conference room for 300 people, exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, reception and networking space and is planned to become the national hub for research and businesses at the cutting edge of the construction industry. This centre is just one of a growing network of Innovation and Enterprise Centres across the county. Others include Corby Enterprise Centre, the Portfolio Innovation Centre at Northampton, the Satra Innovation Park at Kettering, Scott Bader Innovation Centre at Wollaston, Silverstone Innovation Centre, and the Wellingborough Innovation Centre. This network of centres provide space and support for new businesses and an environment in which they can grow. Opportunities for collaboration across the centres will be explored.


• Northamptonshire Business Angels

• Business Mentors

• Enterprise Clubs

• A Northamptonshire Innovation and Enterprise Centres network

Ensuring new and growing businesses have the right access to support their development is vital, particularly support in terms of mentoring and access to finance. Therefore Northamptonshire is developing a Business Angel initiative as well as a network of business mentors linked to emerging enterprise clubs to support new business start ups and business growth.


Figure 5: Northamptonshire Economic Assets

Strategic links

RoadsM1, M40, M6, M69,

A14, A45, A1, A43, A42, A47, A5, A6

RailwaysEast Coast Mainline, West Coast Mainline,

Midland Mainline

High Performance Engineering & Advanced Technology

Key businesses include:

MAHLE Powertrain (Northampton and Wellingborough), Fairline Boats (Oundle and Corby),

Flybrid Systems (Silverstone), Axeon (Corby) BAE System Advanced Technology Centre (Towcester),

Radstone Technology (Towcester), Mercedes (Brackley), Cosworth (Northampton),

Ilmor (Brixworth), Ducati (Silverstone), Cummins (Daventry), RML (Wellingborough), Axon Automative

(Wellingborough), Tata Steel (Corby)

International racing circuit

Silverstone

Other racing circuits Rockingham

Innovation

Academic centres of excellence

University of Northampton, Moulton College, Tresham Institute (Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough),

Velux Construction Academy (Kettering)

Conference CentresThe Wing (Silverstone) and

Kettering Conference Centre

Innovation and Enterprise Centres

iCon (Daventry), Portfolio Centre (Northampton), Scott Bader (Wollaston), Silverstone Innovation

Centre, Satra Innovation (Kettering), Wellingborough Innovation Centre, N-Vision (Northampton),

Corby Enterprise Centre

Local assets

TourismAttractions include Althorpe, Brixworth Country Park, Rockingham Castle, Wicksteed Park, Stanwick Lake,

Irchester Country Park

Cultureexamples include Royal & Derngate Theatre

(Northampton), Core Theatre (Corby), Castle Theatre (Wellingborough)

Logistics

Freight CentresDIRFT, Eurohub,

Chartered Institute of Logistics (Corby)

M42

M42 M6

9

M6

9

M1

M1

M1

M1

M1

M1

A5A5

A47A47A47A47

A47

A47

A6A6

A6A6

A6A6

A5A5

M6M6

M40M40

M40

M40

A43A43

(M)

A1( M

)A1

A4

2

A4

2

A45

A45

A1

A1

A1(M)

A1(M)A14A14

A14A14

A1A1

M1M1

M1

M1

M1

M1

LEICESTER

COVENTRY

LEICESTERSHIRE

MILTONKEYNES

BEDFORD

WARWICKSHIRE

OXFORDSHIRE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

RUTLAND

PETERBOROUGH

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Northampton

Wellingborough

Daventry

Towcester

Kettering

Corby

Oundle

Rive

r Nen

e

To Oxford and Southampton

Birm

ingh

am, N

orth

Wes

t, W

est

Mid

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s an

d So

uth

Wes

t

To London and the South East

To North and North East PortsTo Sheffield and Leeds

To E

ast

Coas

t Po

rts

Wellingborough

Businesses in Northamptonshire are also able to benefit from a new Enterprise and Innovation Fund developed by the County Council. Through this initiative local businesses will be able to apply for business rate rebates from the County Council. To be eligible businesses need to submit a short strategic business plan.


• Northamptonshire Enterprise and Innovation Fund

High performance engineering and motorsportThe presence of the Silverstone motor racing circuit has been a significant contributing factor towards establishing Northamptonshire as a world leading location for research and manufacturing in high performance engineering and motorsport. Other assets include Rockingham Raceway (the only ‘oval’ motorsport circuit in the UK).

Mercedes Benz and Cosworth are just two of the other prominent and important companies in this industry that are based in the county. In total there are about 500 high performance engineering companies operating in the county employing more than 10,000 people. This cluster consists of engine builders, precision engineers and, electronic expertise as well as Fairline, one of the major international motor yacht designers and builders in the UK.

Northamptonshire also has a growing reputation in green vehicle technologies with local companies involved at the leading edge of research and development, and production, of new components, systems and prototypes. This expertise is crucial to the future development of ultra-low carbon vehicles and supporting growth in this sector.

‘Northamptonshire has a growing reputation in green vehicle technologies’


Plans for Silverstone Circuit have the potential to support the Engine of Growth concept, attract investment and new businesses, and create additional private sector jobs, many of which will be in high-skilled occupations. Master Plan has already been prepared which is aimed at enhancing and strengthening Silverstone Circuit as a centre of automotive and high technology excellence. It will create opportunities for attracting business, education and active outdoor tourism of the highest quality. Central to the Master Plan is a proposal for a new Technology Park. An Economic Impact Assessment of the Master Plan commissioned by the County Council estimates that it could create over 2,500 jobs in the area and create an added value to the economy of over £142m per annum.

A complementary large-scale proposal is also being developed for the Rockingham Circuit area (at Corby) focused on motorsport and automotive expertise, high performance engineering and research and development facilities. Together these two exciting natural-scale proposals have the potential to establish Northamptonshire as the predominant location in the UK for new investment in technology and performance engineering and act as a catalyst for research and development in green automotive and related clean technology sectors.


• Silverstone Circuit Master Plan

• Rockingham Master Plan

Logistics and distributionNorthamptonshire is at the centre of the UK providing easy access to a substantial market for goods and services. This makes it the UK’s leading location for businesses involved in advanced logistics and distribution. Companies like Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd, NYK Logistics, Stobart Group, and Wincanton are all based in the county. Working with local companies and industry representative bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Logistics and the Freight

Transport Association, the ambition is to support innovation and growth in this sector (including next generation logistics) to create jobs and reduce its impact on the road network and the environment. This includes support for rail-based freight.

Food and drinkSome of the world’s strongest and oldest food and drink brands operate from Northamptonshire. Companies like Granovita, Carlsberg and Whitworths have chosen the county as their UK headquarters. Local businesses like Weetabix have become world leaders, and investors such as Alpro are undergoing strong growth.

Northamptonshire’s location gives access to both retailers and regional distribution centres, cutting transport costs and exploiting established distribution networks. This offer is enhanced by local education providers such as the University of Northampton which is building expertise in providing specific food technology training courses, vocational skills, business and enterprise training as well as managerial and executive level business courses.

Financial and data servicesNorthamptonshire’s population growth, strategic location and competitive cost base means that it is in a strong competitive position to attract financial and data management services. It is able to draw on a large pool of skilled graduates from the University of Northampton and other major universities including Oxford, Cambridge and Warwick .

Priority 7: Encouraging Social EnterpriseNorthamptonshire has a proud history of social enterprise ( a broad term given to businesses which have primarily social aims), being home to the first workers co-operative in the country, the first cooperative development agency in the country and to the largest manufacturing co-operative in the country, namely Scott Bader.

The goal is to safeguard and create jobs locally through social enterprises and thereby continue


this heritage. This could involve new approaches to procurement and commissioning to create markets for social enterprises, businesses and community asset transfer. This will involve joint activity between the University of Northampton, the County Council and other partners as part of the InSpirE initiative. A specific initiative is the establishment of an Innovation Centre which will encourage social enterprises by providing space and support services.


• InSpirE Northamptonshire

• Northampton Innovation Centre

Priority 8: Developing the skills to succeedHaving the right skills is crucial to sustained growth and being able to adapt to change. Northamptonshire is already home to internationally renowned higher and further education providers, for example the University of Northampton’s Waste Management Centre, the new Sports Therapy Centre at Moulton College and the National College of Motorsport at Tresham. Future activity will include working closely with businesses and key sectors to ensure that there are sufficient skills to meet needs of local employers, attract high value activities and to encourage entrepreneurial activity. This will also include ensuring that there are sufficient apprenticeships to support the growth of key sectors.

Raising the profile of, and participation in, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) related activities is essential, particularly in schools, as is strengthening links with local businesses. One way of doing this is through establishing a network of University Technical Colleges sponsored by local training providers and business. These facilities will provide the offer of outstanding education through exposure to a technical curriculum and help equip young people for the future workforce and skills of tomorrow.

Alongside this, continuing activity to raise pupil attainment and school performance will also be critical both to ensure that young people have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and to attract prospective employers and investors.


• A University Technical Colleges network

Priority 9: Regenerating Northampton town centre and the waterside area Developing the role of Northampton as a new regional centre is a high priority. This will enable it to play a stronger role as a commercial, cultural and retail centre for the wider area and complement the surrounding towns and attract businesses and investment. This involves utilising the scope and regeneration opportunities provided by the riverside and town centre in particular. Action is being identified to address the barriers which are currently inhibiting it performing this role. This includes improving access to the town centre and addressing congestion.

Four transformational and complementary initiatives have been identified which will act as a catalyst for wider regeneration and help to attract investment and businesses to the town centre. These are also a focus of attention for West Northamptonshire Development Corporation. The first of these is a major expansion of the town centre retail, commercial and leisure offer, particularly through the redevelopment and extension of the existing Grosvenor Centre. Pivotal to this is the demolition of the current Greyfriars bus station. The second initiative involves the regeneration of Castle station. This will provide a new station facility, additional parking, better facilities for users and an iconic gateway for Northampton. It will also release land for a high quality mixed use development incorporating residential and commercial uses and a new public space. The third initiative involves transforming the waterside area to encourage new, thriving community based on commercial, retail, leisure and housing development and create a thriving community focused on the waterside area. This involves land reclamation and new infrastructure. Complementing these initiatives is a proposal for regenerating the area around Angel Street to the south of the town centre and incorporating the current County Hall site.

‘Having the right skills is crucial to sustained growth’


This has the potential to transform the town centre commercial offer by combining retail development, flexible space for new businesses, including potential office relocations from London and the South East where rents are much higher, and new civic offices providing access to state-of-the-art public services.


• Expansion of Northampton town centre’s retail, commercial and leisure offer

• Regeneration of Castle Station

• Northampton Waterside redevelopment

• The Angel Street regeneration project (Project Angel)

Priority 10: Supporting town centre regeneration The future economic health and prosperity of Northamptonshire relies to a large degree on the success of its town centres. These need to become the new focus of economic, cultural, commercial and other activity. However, town centre regeneration will only be achieved through creating the right climate for private sector investment. This includes identifying, promoting and bringing forward investment opportunities. Sometimes the public sector will need to play

a proactive role, particularly where economic viability or land ownership may be an obstacle to progress. This could involve freeing-up opportunities through asset utilisation strategies or investment via the County Council’s ‘Fit for Market’ initiative. Improving access and mobility is also important to attract investment and encourage new employers to locate in town centres.

Corby, Daventry, Kettering, Rushden and Wellingborough, Towcester and Brackley have important roles to play as centres for significant economic growth and regeneration. Public and private sector investment will be important to their success. The continuing regeneration of Corby town centre is an excellent example of the role a proactive public sector can play. The Corby Cube is a key urban regeneration project for the town and an important community building. This has received an excellent BREAM rating highlighting its sustainable credentials, whilst the transformation of Kettering’s market place has received numerous regeneration and urban design accolades.


• Corby regeneration

• Town centre vision, Daventry

• Town centre regeneration, Kettering

• Rushden regeneration

• Moat Lane regeneration, Towcester

• High Street and town centre development, Wellingborough


The Northamptonshire Arc provides an overarching approach for making decisions of future investment. Securing the funding and wider support necessary to deliver these initiatives (particularly new infrastructure) will require a proactive and partnership approach from the public and private sectors. This will include exploring and testing new and innovative forms of funding aligning budgets, and looking at ways of releasing future development value and creating jobs.

Immediate next steps:

1. Development of a strategic infrastructure programme and delivery plan for the county. This will identify the imminent priorities in detail.

2. Engagement with the private sector in order to establish new funding packages to deliver the strategic infrastructure programme.

3. Development of a business case for the new infrastructure programme making best use of existing County Council property assets

4. Work with Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership to implement its action plan and programmes, including the roll out of superfast broadband across the county and its exploitation

5. Assemble the resources and governance arrangements, with existing budgets, necessary to oversee the implementation of the action plans

Delivery 4‘Exploring and testing innovative forms of funding and aligning budgets’


For further information please visit:

www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/thebigidea oremail [email protected]

Documents

Northamptonshire Arc · low carbon Northamptonshire A Stronger and Green Economy Transformed Connectivity Northamptonshire Arc Figure 1: Integrated approach What is the spatial focus?