Grand Union and Oxford Canal Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Consultation
Overview
West Northamptonshire Council is reviewing particular sections of the Grand Union and Oxford Canal Conservation Area.
The sections being reviewed are:
- Grand Union Canal from Braunston to Stowehill,
- Grand Union Canal Leicester Arm from Norton Junction to the River Avon,
- Oxford Canal from Tarry’s Bridge, south of Hillmorton, to Braunston.
A section of the Northampton Arm, from the M1 to Cotton End, that is not currently part of the conservation area also forms part of the review.
Map: Extent of the Grand Union and Oxford Canal in West Northamptonshire
The following map shows the extent of the Grand Union and Oxford Canal network within West Northamptonshire.
Click on each section to see whether it is in the conservation area and whether it is part of this review.
Text version of the map
The Oxford Canal enters West Northamptonshire to the south of Hillmorton and continues to Braunston. Here it turns to the southwest and then meets the border with Warwickshire. This section of the canal was designated as a conservation area in 1995.
At Braunston the Grand Union Canal begins. A short section to the south of Braunston was designated as part of the Braunston Village Conservation Area in 1991. The Grand Union Canal between Braunston and Stowehill was designated as a conservation area in 1995. At the same time the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal was also designated as a conservation area. This section of the canal runs northwards from Norton Junction to the boundary of West Northamptonshire, northwest of Welford. All these sections of the Grand Union and Oxford Canals are included in the conservation area review.
The Grand Union Canal continues from Stowehill and leaves West Northamptonshire southeast of Cosgrove. At Gayton Junction the Northampton Arm branches off. Both of these parts of the canal were designated in 2014 and they are not included in the current conservation area review.
A section of the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal between the M1 motorway and Cotton End in Northampton is not designated as a conservation area but has been included in the review.
This is an interactive map.
The Oxford Canal enters West Northamptonshire to the south of Hillmorton and continues to Braunston. Here it turns to the southwest and then meets the border with Warwickshire. This section of the canal was designated as a conservation area in 1995. At Braunston the Grand Union Canal begins. A short section to the south of Braunston was designated as part of the Braunston Village Conservation Area in 1991. The Grand Union Canal between Braunston and Stowehill was designated as a conservation area in 1995. At the same time the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union Canal was also designated as a conservation area. This section of the canal runs northwards from Norton Junction to the boundary of West Northamptonshire, northwest of Welford. All these sections of the Grand Union and Oxford Canals are included in the conservation area review. The Grand Union Canal continues from Stowehill and leaves West Northamptonshire southeast of Cosgrove. At Gayton Junction the Northampton Arm branches off. Both of these parts of the canal were designated in 2014 and they are not included in the current conservation area review. A section of the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal between the M1 motorway and Cotton End in Northampton is not designated as a conservation area but has been included in the review.
We would like to hear the views of residents, the community and all other stakeholders on the draft appraisal and management plan that has been prepared.
The draft appraisal and maps showing the proposed conservation area boundary can be viewed on our dedicated Conservation areas webpages. You will need to look at the draft documents before completing the survey.
Event to find out more
An online, virtual presentation event hosted on Microsoft Teams will take place from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, 1st July 2025.
You can hear about the content of the appraisal and management plan and how it can be used by the council, residents and developers. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the Grand Union and Oxford Canal Conservation Area Appraisal or conservation areas in general.
You can register to attend the presentation event by emailing: heritage@westnorthants.gov.uk
How to have your say
You can tells us your views on the Grand Union and Oxford Canal Conservation Area Appraisal by completing this survey using the link below.
Alternatively, you can email or send your comments in by post using the contact details below.
Email address: heritage@westnorthants.gov.uk
Postal address:
- Grand Union and Oxford Canal Conservation Area Appraisal Consultation
- Conservation Officer
- Planning and Building Control Service
- West Northamptonshire Council
- The Guildhall
- St Giles' Street
- Northampton
- NN1 1DE
If you require the consultation in an alternative format, please use the above contact detail.
Please note that we are unable to accept anonymous comments.
This consultation ends midnight Sunday 27 July 2025.
For information on how we handle your data and responses, you can view our Planning and climate change policy privacy notice (opens in a new window).
What Happens Next
Once this consultation closes, a report with comments received will be presented to the West Northamptonshire Council Planning Policy Committee. This report will include any proposed modifications to the appraisal and management plan, and the conservation area boundary.
If the appraisal and management plan is adopted by the council it will be a supplementary planning document (SPD), which means it will be used in making decisions about planning applications along with other local and national policy documents.
Thank you for helping us by completing this consultation.
Events
-
Online event to find out more
From 1 Jul 2025 at 18:30 to 1 Jul 2025 at 19:30You can hear about the content of the appraisal and management plan and how it can be used by the council, residents and developers.
There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the Grand Union and Oxford Canal Conservation Area Appraisal or conservation areas in general.
You can register to attend the presentation event by emailing: heritage@westnorthants.gov.uk
Interests
- Local area planning consultations
- Planning and building control
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