Acton Neighbourhood Plan
The Acton Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) is being prepared by their parish council and local community. When complete, it will be used to help guide and shape future development in the plan's area.
Latest news...
Reg 18 Exam Report Decision Statement (5 March 2024)
Internal procedures agreed in September 2021 mean that a NDP can now be advanced to a local referendum without Cabinet approval where there is no objection to implementing all of the Independent Examiners recommendations. That applies in this case and the decision is confirmed through publication of the following statement:
As soon as we can, we will publish the referendum version of this NDP, and confirm the date of the local referendum.
Previous stages...
Reg 17 Examination (final report 29 Feb 2024)
Babergh District Council appointed Janet Cheesley BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI to carry out an independent examination of the Acton NDP. The examination was conducted through written correspondence.
On 29 February 2024, the examiner issued her final report. It recommends that, subject to modification, this NDP meets the Basic Condition tests and that it should proceed to a local referendum
- Read the Acton NDP Exam Report (Feb 2024)
- See also the Examination Correspondence document (last updated 8 Dec 2023)
As a post-examination plan, the Acton NDP is now a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications. See Planning Practice Guidance.
Reg 17 Examination (Focused consultation. Ended 26 Jan 2024)
In late December 2023, the Government published a new NPPF. A focused consultation exercise was undertaken to allow for new comments to be made on any implications arising from this with regard to the Acton NDP meeting the relevant basic condition test.
A copy of the consultation letter, the representations, and the Steering Groups response to these are published below:
Reg 16 Submission consultation (23 Oct to 6 Dec 2023)
The submission draft Acton NDP was published for consultation between 23 October and 6 December 2023.
The Parish Council (the Qualifying Body) had formally submitted the following documents:
• A Map identifying the NDP Area
• The submission draft Acton NDP 2022 – 2037
• A Consultation Statement
• A Basic Conditions Statement
• A Housing Needs Assessment Report (AECOM, Oct 2022)
• A Design Guidelines & Codes Report (AECOM, Aug 2023)
• An Acton Data Profile (June 2023)
• Copies of the SEA and HRA Screening Reports and Determination Notices (see under SEA/HRA section below)
An assessment on how this NDP meets the basic conditions will be undertaken by an Independent Examiner. Our initial check suggests that the relevant requirements have been met at this stage. View 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 website.
SEA/HRA screening and determination (May 2023)
The pre-submission draft NDP was screened to determine whether a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and or a habitats regulations assessment (HRA) were needed. Both were 'screened-out'. The relevant reports and determination notices are published below:
- Read the Acton NDP SEA Screening Opinion (LUC, Apr 2023)
- Read the Acton NDP SEA Determination Notice (May 2023)
- Read the Acton NDP HRA Screening Report (LUC, Apr 2023)
- Read the Acton NDP HRA Determination Notice (May 2023)
Reg 14 Pre-submission consultation (3 April to 22 May 2023)
Pre-submission consultation on the draft NDP ended on 22 May 2023.