Local Plan comments close 16 Nov, and the Derby stays put

Morning, NN12.

The big decisions about Towcester tend to sit in documents most of us never open. This week one of them is open for comments, and the window shuts in just under six weeks. We've done the first read so you don't have to start at page one.

This week: the Local Plan, A5 and A43 roadworks expected to take about 19 months, and the Derby staying put until 2031. Plus a diary from today through Oktoberfest on Saturday night.

If someone you know in NN12 would want this on a Wednesday morning, send them to subscribe to The Towcester Waffle. Spotted something we've missed? Just reply.

Here's what matters.

We've covered the Local Plan for the last couple of weeks, but this is the formal round, and the last consultation before the plan goes for examination. West Northamptonshire Council opened the Regulation 19 consultation on Monday 5 October, and it runs until 11.59pm on Monday 16 November. Late comments won't be accepted.

This isn't another "what do you think?" round like the earlier drafts. Comments now have to be about whether the plan is legally compliant and sound, and they'll go with the plan to an independent Planning Inspector for examination. The Government has told the council to submit it by 31 December 2026.

Here's what the plan has for Towcester:

If you live near Burcote Road or Bell Plantation, those are the two policies worth reading.

You can respond online through the council's Local Plan page, by email to [email protected], or by post to the Planning Policy Team, West Northamptonshire Council, One Angel Square, Northampton NN1 1ED. Anonymous comments aren't accepted, so you'll need to give your full name and address.

Prefer paper? Hard copies of the main documents are at The Forum, Moat Lane, during opening hours, and in the area's libraries.

National Highways has a traffic order lined up for the A5 and A43 at Towcester for improvement and traffic-calming work that was due to start on Monday 5 October and is expected to take about 19 months. Its project page still lists the start date as TBC, and there's nothing at Towcester on its closure report up to Monday 12 October, so we can't yet tell you crews are on site.

While it's running, expect temporary 40mph limits on the A43 from the Taunton Way roundabout to just past Towcester roundabout, 50mph on the approaches, and closures at different times on the A5 (Taunton Way roundabout near Heathencote to Towcester roundabout) and the A43 (Taunton Way to Tiffield Road). Access to homes and businesses stays open, and signed diversions run via Cowpastures Lane and Taunton Way, and via the A421 and A422.

National Highways said in May that the next phase of its A5 scheme, with shared paths and new crossings, would start this autumn, though it hasn't said this order is that work.

Betway Towcester Racecourse has been awarded the English Greyhound Derby for another five years, 2027 to 2031. The deal with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) was reported on Friday 2 October.

Head of Racing James Chalkley called the deal "hugely significant for Betway Towcester Racecourse and for greyhound racing as a whole", and GBGB says it lets owners and trainers plan ahead.

Next year's the big one. The Derby was first run in 1927, so 2027 is its centenary, and it'll be at Towcester. The track has hosted it in 2017 and 2018 and every year since 2021.

The 2027 date hasn't been set yet. GBGB says it'll be confirmed later.

Saints lost 41–26 at Bristol on Saturday 3 October, their first Gallagher PREM defeat of the season. There was just a point in it at the break, with George Hendy scoring twice. Tries from Alex Mitchell and Josh Kemeny earned a try bonus point, but Bristol scored three more.

Next: Bath at home at Franklin's Gardens, Saturday 10 October, kick-off 3.05pm.

Towcestrians lost 47–21 away at Newbold on Avon on Saturday 3 October in Counties 1 Midlands East (South).

Next: Leicester Forest at home on Saturday 10 October, kick-off still to be confirmed by the club.

Men's 1sts beat West Bridgford 3 5–2 at home on Saturday 3 October. That's two wins from three.

Next: home to Nottingham Trent University 4, Saturday 10 October, push-back 2.45pm.

Ladies 1sts beat University of Nottingham 5 3–0 at home on Saturday 3 October. A clean sheet, and their first league win of the season.

Next: away at Hampton-in-Arden 1, Saturday 10 October, push-back 1.30pm.

Men's 2nds lost 4–3 away at Leicester City 2 on Saturday 3 October. One goal in it.

Next: home to Melton 2, Saturday 10 October, push-back 1pm.

Women's 2nds beat Kettering 1 2–1 away on Saturday 3 October.

Next: home to Warwick 2, Saturday 10 October, push-back 11.15am.

WNC's new Neighbourhood Fund opened on Monday 5 October. Voluntary, community and faith groups, social enterprises, and town and parish councils can bid for £1,000 to £7,500 for projects that tackle local health and wellbeing priorities set through the council's Local Area Partnerships. It's for new projects or growing existing ones, not keeping current services going, and you'll need to show local people helped shape the idea.

There's an online briefing on Wednesday 14 October at 1pm. Email [email protected] by Monday 12 October for the Teams invite. The same address sends out the application form. Applications close at 10am on Monday 30 November.

A free energy advice van is visiting Riverside Resource Centre on Islington Road, Towcester, from Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 October. No appointment needed, just drop in: Tuesday 10am–12pm, Wednesday 3.30pm–5.30pm, Thursday 8.30am–12pm, Friday 10am–12pm.

It's free, confidential advice on cutting your bills, plus free energy-saving packs, and carbon monoxide alarms and warm packs for those who qualify. YES Energy Solutions and Cadent run it.

Under 1s Sensory is on Monday 12 October, 11am–12.30pm, at Towcester Family Hub, The Forum, Moat Lane. It's a play-based session for babies under one, with Early Years staff there if you want a chat. You'll need to book, and register with Family Hubs first if you haven't already. It runs every Monday.

If your child starts secondary school in September 2027, apply for their Year 7 place by midnight on Saturday 31 October. Reception and junior school applications have until midnight on Friday 15 January.

Towcester's neighbourhood team will focus on rural crime, road safety and road traffic offences, and drug dealing and drug misuse from October to March. It's the same list as April to September. You can share your views and get updates through Northamptonshire Talking.

Free business advice, today: Wed 7 Oct, 9.30am–midday, Towcester Library. Weekly drop-in with the Business & IP Centre team, no booking.

Stay and Play, today: Wed 7 Oct, 10am–11.30am, Towcester Family Hub, The Forum, Moat Lane. For families with under-fives. Register with Family Hubs first if you haven't already.

David Lloyd drop-in: Thu 8 Oct, 4pm–8pm, Towcester Methodist Church, Brackley Road. Your chance to ask about the proposed club north of Spine Road.

Rotary Autumn Farmers' Market: Fri 9 Oct, 9am–1.30pm, Sponne Shopping Arcade. Fresh local produce, run by the Rotary Club of Towcester.

Saturday Craft Club: Sat 10 Oct, 10.30am–midday, Towcester Library (The Forum, Moat Lane). Children's craft drop-in, no booking.

Towcester Racecourse Oktoberfest: Sat 10 Oct, 7pm–midnight. £30pp, or 10 for £250. 18+ only, and they run Challenge 25. There's a daytime race meeting the same day too (doors 12.30pm, first race 2.18pm); the free daytime ticket doesn't cover the evening. Free parking, but sort your lift home before the midnight finish.

Folk at the Mill: Sun 11 Oct, 2pm–5pm, Towcester Mill Brewery, Chantry Lane. Free, no tickets, just turn up. The monthly session's hosted by Towcester folk duo Jenkinson's Folly.

Rotary CYCLE4Polio: Sat 24 Oct, 8am–4.30pm, Towcester Leisure Centre, Milton Way. A sponsored cycle day for Rotary's polio campaign: £5 for a 25-minute slot. Book by emailing [email protected] or at Leisure Centre reception.

The Met Office Towcester forecast for the rest of the week: Wednesday is the wet one, with light rain through the morning into early afternoon, about 13°C, gusty, and down to around 6°C overnight; Thursday sunny and 14°C; Friday 18°C with sunny intervals after overnight rain, though showers are possible through the morning; Saturday 15°C, sunny intervals and mostly dry; Sunday 15°C and cloudy.

Useful version: take a coat today, then it should be dry for Thursday's drop-in and for Saturday's Craft Club and Oktoberfest. Friday's market could start damp.

The Local Plan's been in this email three weeks running, so here's why this week's different.

The earlier rounds asked what we thought the plan should say. This one's the formal stage, and every comment goes to an independent planning inspector with the plan. So it's worth writing one that counts.

The inspector's job is to test whether the plan is "sound". The national planning policy this plan was written under sets four tests for that: is it positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy? Roughly, does it meet the area's needs, is it backed by evidence, can it be delivered, and does it follow national rules? "I don't want more houses" doesn't speak to any of those, so it won't carry much weight on its own.

Something like "Policy T3 puts about 1,400 homes north of Burcote Road, and here's why the access as planned won't cope" does. It names the policy and says what's wrong. Then say what would fix it: the council asks for the changes you think would make the plan sound.

You don't need a view on all of it. One clear comment on the policy nearest you is plenty.

Tips and corrections welcome. Just reply to this email.

— Atlas & Lee, somewhere in NN12