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The Inspector’s Report into Babergh’s Draft Local Plan has been received by the Council. Subject to a ratification by Babergh Councillors and consultation on those changes introduced after the Second Draft Deposit stage, this Plan should be in place by the summer of 2006 and as such will help to resolve Babergh’s strategic planning issues up until 2016.
The aim of this briefing is to give a summary of the key aspects of the Plan.
Chilton Woods
The Inspector has backed Babergh’s proposals for the 40 hectare (approx.) housing (including a high proportion of affordable units) and employment development, which will create an estimated 500 new jobs. The scheme also makes provision for a woodland and various community facilities. He also indicated that the Masterplan should be allowed to incorporate changes as necessary.
Hadleigh supermarket
The Inspector has backed Babergh’s proposal for a supermarket on the Brett Works site – endorsing the rationale given by the Council. It may be useful to note here that the revised Government planning guidance gives even further weight to the provision of supermarkets within town centres.
British Sugar site, Sproughton
The Inspector backed Babergh’s proposal that the land be retained for employment use, considering that it is a poor site for residential development.
Wardle Storey/ICI Imagedata, Brantham
The Inspector has backed Babergh’s proposals (as agreed with the site’s owners). The site will be designated as a Special Policy Area and more detailed work will now need to be carried out, although the site will remain predominantly for employment use.
Powergen site, Wherstead
The Inspector has backed Babergh’s proposal that the adjacent land be incorporated into future employment use and to provide access to the established main site.
Employment site, Great Waldingfield
The Inspector has backed Babergh’s proposals to use an area on the outskirts of the village.
‘IP8’ site, Pinewood
The Inspector has backed Babergh’s proposals for business development considering that it would provide an “excellent gateway site” for Ipswich.
Affordable Housing
The Inspector has backed Babergh’s proposal that up to 35% of properties on new developments of 15 dwellings or 0.5 hectares or more should be affordable and for rent and/or shared ownership. The same maximum figure has been achieved for smaller developments, although these can be judged on a case-by-case basis.
Transport issues – key point
The Inspector has backed Babergh’s proposal to keep free the site for any potential Sudbury Western bypass.
Flood Risk
Babergh proposed a rigorous policy seeking to prevent inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding and to control any development that is proven to be acceptable. The Inspector endorsed this policy.
Rural Areas
Policies aiming to ensure the retention of key village facilities (such as shops, post offices and pubs) have been retained but rationalised into one clearer policy dealing with all of these. The commitment to try to keep these important facilities thus remains in place.
Timetable
Babergh’s Strategy Committee meets to discuss the Inspector’s Report on 30th November, with the full Council considering it on 13th December.
After that, it will be put out to consultation to parish and town councils, the general public and other interested parties.
Babergh will only be able to consider those objections and comments that relate specifically to any proposed modifications to the Second Draft Deposit of the Local Plan or absence of modifications as a result of the Inspector’s recommendations.
Since the Inspector’s report has only just been received, the Local Plan Team is still engaged in raising queries and requesting clarifications. These will need to be raised with the Planning Inspectorate before they can be made generally available.
Quotation
Rich Cooke, Babergh’s Acting Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development said “Babergh is pleased that our Local Plan has been given the ‘thumbs up’ by the Inspector. It has involved a considerable amount of work, including responding to the many thousands of submissions received form developers, parish and town councils, local groups and individuals.
As it stands, this Local plan will help Babergh achieve a sustainable balance between delivering an ambitious programme of new homes, including affordable homes, protecting and creating jobs and protecting and enhancing the environment”.
The Inspector's Report is located under the 'Planning and Building Control' section of Babergh's website.
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