Town Centres and Retailing in Babergh

The Babergh Retail Study and the Town Centre Health Check are studies that will provide the basis for future retail/town centre strategies within the district and form part of the essential evidence base to support the planning policy framework for the district, known as the Local Development Framework.

Babergh District Council recently completed significant research work in relation to the town centres and retailing in the district. The work consists of two main elements, as follows:

• Up-to-date Town Centre 'Health Check' for Sudbury and Hadleigh, which was carried out in-house by the Council. The Health Checks are basically an assessment of how well the town centres in the District are faring; and
• A comprehensive Retail Capacity Study for the whole district, focussing mainly on Sudbury and Hadleigh. The study was carried out by independent, specialist consultants. This study is essentially an assessment of what further needs for new retail provision are likely to arise in the period up to 2021.

The latter work generally endorses the former work carried out in-house by the Council.

The mentioned studies will provide the basis for future retail/town centre strategies within the district and form part of the essential evidence base to support the planning policy framework for the district, known as the Local Development Framework.  

Copies of these documents may be downloaded free of charge via the following links:

• Sudbury and Hadleigh Town Centre Health Check Report (PDF, 0.9Mb),
• Babergh District Retail Study (PDF, 1.1Mb),
• Retail Study Appendices (PDF, 1.8Mb). 

Paper copies can also be viewed at the Council Offices or at libraries across the district. Alternatively a CD or Paper copy can be requested at the charges set out below from the Planning Policy Team who can be contacted by the details below.  

Costs

Town centre Health Check or Retail Study on CD:    £1 (per CD)
Paper Copy of Town Centre Health Check for Hadleigh and Sudbury:    £5
Paper Copy of Babergh District Retail Study:    £20

All costs include Post and Packaging. Please make cheques out to Babergh District Council.