'REAL TIME INFORMATION'
1. New Development Plan Production Programme:
A new programme for replacing Babergh's current Local Plan, adopted in 2006, is under preparation. The current formally agreed programme is set out in Babergh's Local Development Scheme (Adopted July 2007) LDS (the detailed Development Framework programme planning / timetable document) of 2007. This is now out of date and therefore due for an update. Once the programme has been finalised in detail it will be posted on the website. In the meantime (and thereafter), please refer to this 'real time' web information for the latest position.
2. Babergh Development Framework and Forthcoming Consultations:
Core Strategy - Important News - September 2010:
The most important current development to update on is the production of the initial Core Strategy of the BDF. The Core Strategy will set out the general Spatial Vision and Objectives for delivery through the BDF and will cover a period of at least 15 years (and in likelihood 20 years) from when it is adopted (currently anticipated in 2012). Babergh has now largely completed developing the research side of its comprehensive evidence base for the BDF. Babergh completed work on the 'Issues and Options' document as the first stage in producing the Core Strategy in mid 2009. However, following revocation of the Regional Spatial Strategy (and regional growth targets) Babergh plans to determine future growth levels for itself, working with its local communities. Accordingly, an initial planning exercise, all about future growth, is now starting, with public consultation planned for Autumn 2010 (October-November). This aims to pick up the Plan preparation process that was formally deferred (on the 1st June 2010) with the new coalition government’s announcements regarding Regional Spatial Strategies. A report to Babergh’s Strategy Committee on 29 July 2010, was agreed as the first formal step in the new process. This proceeded to Council on 31 August, where agreement for a full public consultation exercise was given. (see above). Please see the Council and Democracy section of the website for the relevant papers and reports.
The Planning Policy Team is currently working on a new programme which will set out the details of when the Core Strategy is likely to be consulted on and the programme for preparing other main planning documents. Details of the programme will be published here in due course (in draft form ideally by the end of October 2010).
3. Website Updates - Watch This Space:
Further details of the public consultation arrangements for the Core Strategy will be posted here online in the future.
This will include:
- Consultation period dates
- Material to be issued for inspection and availability of documents
- Publicity arrangements and public consultation events
- Information on how to submit responses
- Information on the process from this stage onwards.
4. What Happens to Babergh's Adopted Local Plan (from 2006)?
It is also important to note that the adopted Local Plan will be replaced gradually by the new Babergh Development Framework and other plans / policies. Although prepared to cover the period until 2016, the Local Plan's shelf life officially ended on 1st June 2009, 3 years after it was adopted (in 2006), due to the change of planning system. However, since much of the Plan will still provide a useful interim planning strategy and range of planning policies, Babergh has 'saved' most of the planning policies beyond 1st June 2009 until such time as those policies are either superseded or replaced by new plans / policies. Confirmation was given by the Secretary of State, that most of the policies are 'saved'. Please see the 'Saved Policies' webpage for more information.
5. Other Documents
The Employment Land Review has now been completed and is available on the Haven Gateway Partnership website.
If you have any queries about these matters and for all routine planning policy enquiries, please contact the Planning Policy Team on 01473 826678 or email ldf@babergh.gov.uk
Page last updated on 02nd September 2010.
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