Whatfield Neighbourhood Plan
The Whatfield Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) has been prepared by Whatfield Parish Council and the local community and will be used to help guide and shape future development in the parish.
Latest news...
Reg 20 Formal Adoption (2 March 2022)
In an ‘out of meeting’ decision taken on Wednesday 2 March 2022, Babergh District Council agreed to adopt ('make') the Whatfield NDP.
This NDP now forms part of the development plan and will be used to help decide planning applications in the parish, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
- Read the adopted version of the Whatfield NDP
- Read the adoption Decision Statement
- Read the Action out of Meeting request
Previous stages...
Local referendum (24 February 2022)
A local referendum was held on 24 February 2022 to decide if the Whatfield 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 Whatfield to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Plan Area?'
Reg 18 Decision Statement (20 July 2021)
On 5 July 2021, Babergh’s cabinet committee agreed that, subject to modification, the Whatfield NDP should proceed to a local referendum.
Reg 17 Independent Examination (final report 27 April 2021)
Babergh District Council appointed Janet Cheesley BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI to carry out an independent examination of the Whatfield NDP. The examination was conducted through written correspondence.
On 27 April 2021, the examiner issued her final report. It recommends that, subject to modification, the Whatfield NDP meets the basic conditions and should proceed to a local referendum.
Planning practice guidance also provides advice on the weight to be attached to this post-examination plan.
Reg 16 Submission Consultation (18 January – 5 March 2021)
The district council carried out 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 18 January to 5 March 2021.
The parish council (the qualifying body) had formally submitted the following documents:
- A map identifying the area to which the proposed Whatfield NDP relates
- The submission draft Whatfield NDP
- A consultation statement
- A Basic Conditions statement
- A copy of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) determination notice
- A copy of the habitats regulations assessment (HRA) determination notice
An assessment as to whether this NDP fulfils the basic conditions will be carried by an independent examiner. An initial check was carried out to confirm that the relevant requirements had 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) published on this website.
Reg 14 Pre-submission Consultation (5 August - 7 October 2020)
SEA/HRA Screening and Determination (September 2020)
The Pre-submission draft NDP was screened to decide whether an SEA and/or an HRA were needed. Both were 'screened-out'. The relevant reports and determination notices, which confirm that this plan is unlikely to have significant environmental effects, are published below:
- Read the Whatfield NDP SEA screening report (LUC, Aug 2020)
- Read the Whatfield NDP SEA determination notice (Sept 2020)
- Read the Whatfield HRA screening report (Place Services, Aug 2020)
- Read the Whatfield HRA determination notice (Sept 2020)