Planners in North Northamptonshire have formally signed off a scheme to develop the biggest single growth area outside London.
The Core Spatial Strategy covers the development of Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and east Northants from now until 2021.
It will push for more than 50,000 new homes to be built in the area, along with lrge-scale investment in jobs, infrastructure, services and the environment.
The strategy, which has taken three years to produce, is the first strategic plan to be signed off in the East Midlands and the first in the UK to be prepared by a joint committee of planners from different councils.
The chairman of the North Northants Joint Planning Committee, Coun Terry Freer, said: “We now have the green light to make the future happen.
“We will work with all our partners to ensure that the people of North Northamptonshire can look forward to that future which we all want to be secure, bright and sustainable.
“The road ahead will not be easy but if we work together as a team we will overcome any difficulties we encounter.
“We will also need to make sure that the people of our various communities know what we are doing so that they feel included in the hard decisions we have to take..”
Simon Evans, chief executive of North Northants Development Company, hailed the move as a “significant step” for the future of the area.
He said: “Our job at NNDC is to organise the timely delivery of infrastructure and to support the Core Spatial Strategy.
“Over the coming months, we will continue to work with the local authorities, public and private partners to progress a Programme of Development that not only provides the strongest possible case for investment in infrastructure in our area but also a robust strategy for its delivery.”
News that the strategy had finally been adopted was also welcomed by Corby MP and Minister for the East Midlands Phil Hope.
He said: “This plan is an excellent example of local authorities and the North Northamptonshire Development Company seizing the initiative to work together in planning for the step change in growth in North Northamptonshire.
“I congratulate the partners in North Northamptonshire on this achievement.”
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