Long Melford Neighbourhood Plan
The Long Melford Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) has been prepared by the Parish Council and local community and will be used to help guide and shape future development in the parish.
Latest news...
Reg 20 Formal Adoption (31 October 2022)
In an ‘out of meeting’ decision taken on Monday 31 October 2022 Babergh District Council have agreed to adopt ('make') the Long Melford NDP.
This NDP now forms part of the development plan and will be used to help determine planning applications in the parish unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
- Read the adopted version of the Long Melford NDP
- Read the adoption Decision Statement
- See the Action out of Meeting request
Local Referendum (27 October 2022) - majority 'yes' vote
A local referendum was held on 27 October 2022 to decide if the Long Melford NDP should become part of the Council's development plan. The count took place the following day.
The question asked was: "Do you want Babergh District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Long Melford to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Plan Area?".
Previous stages...
Reg 18 Exam Report Decision Statement (24 June 2022)
New procedures (agreed in September 2021) mean that a NDP can now advance to a referendum without Cabinet approval where there is no objection to implementing the examiner's recommendations. That applied in this case and the decision was confirmed through publication of the following statement:
Reg 17 Independent Examination (Final Report 13 May 2022)
Babergh District Council appointed Ann Skippers BSc (Hons) MRTPI FHEA FRSA AoU to carry out an independent examination of the Long Melford NDP. The examination was conducted through written correspondence.
On 13 May 2022, the examiner issued her final report. It recommended that, subject to modification, this NDP meets the Basic Conditions and should proceed to a local referendum.
- Read the Long Melford NDP examination report (May 2022)
- Read the examination correspondence document
Planning Practice Guidance also provides advice on the weight to be attached to a post-examination plan.
Reg 16 Submission Consultation (20 September - 5 November 2021)
The district council carried out a formal consultation on the submitted NDP to see if it fulfils the Basic Conditions set out in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
The consultation was carried out in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012 (as amended). The consultation period ran from 20 September until 5 November 2021.
The parish council (the qualifying body) had formally submitted the following documents:
- A map identifying the area to which the proposed NDP relates
- The submission draft Long Melford NDP (July 21)
- The appendices to the submission draft NDP
- A consultation statement
- A Basic Conditions statement
- A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) report and
- A table of informal comments on the May 2021 draft NDP
Please note: The second, third and fourth documents listed above include embedded hyperlinks to other documents.
An assessment as to whether this NDP meets the Basic Conditions will be carried out by an independent examiner. An initial check showed that the relevant requirements had been met at this stage. Read the Regulation 15 Checklist.
Respondents were also reminded that their comments would be forwarded to the examiner and, with the exception of personal details, be published on this webpage.
SEA/HRA screening and determination (March - April 2019)
The pre-submission draft NDP was screened to decide whether a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and/or a Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) were required. The need for an SEA was 'screened in'. The need for an HRA was 'screened-out'. The relevant report and determination notices are published below:
- Long Melford NP SEA/HRA screening report (Place Services, March 2019)
- Long Melford NP SEA determination notice (Apr 2019)
- Long Melford NP HRA determination notice (Apr 2019)
Reg 14 Pre-submission Consultation (17 January to 28 February 2019)
Pre-submission consultation took place between 17 January and 28 February 2019.