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Laxfield Neighbourhood Plan
Laxfield Neighbourhood Plan
The Laxfield Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) is being prepared by Laxfield Parish Council and the local community. When completed, it will be used to help guide and shape future development in the parish.
Latest news...
Reg 18 Decision Statement (18 Feb 2021) - Plan advanced to Local Referendum
On 8 February 2021, Mid Suffolk’s Cabinet committee agreed that the Laxfield NDP should proceed to a local referendum. This is subject to implementation of all the modifications set out in the independent examiner's report. The decision is confirmed through publication of the following statement:
As soon as we are able to do so, we will publish the referendum version of the Laxfield NDP. Completing that task will also allow us to confirm a date for the referendum, subject to the latest regulatory guidance linked to the Covid-19 emergency.
Previous stages...
Reg 17 Independent Examination (Dec 2020)
Mid Suffolk District Council (MSDC) appointed Janet Cheesley BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI to carry out an independent examination of the Laxfield NDP. The examination was conducted through written correspondence.
On 4 December 2020, the Examiner issued her final report. It recommends that, subject to modification, the Laxfield NDP meets the basic conditions and that it should proceed to a local referendum.
A report on the above was taken to MSDC Cabinet on 8 February 2021. Planning Practice Guidance also provides advice on the weight to be attached to a post-examination Plan.
Reg 16 Submission Consultation (17 Aug 2020 - 12 Oct 2020)
The District Council undertook formal consultation of the submitted Laxfield NDP. This was to check it fulfils the Basic Conditions required. These Conditions are required by Paragraph 8(1)(a)(2) of Schedule 4B of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (inserted by the Localism Act 2011).
This was in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended). The consultation period ran from Mon 17 August to Mon 12 October 2020.
Laxfield Parish Council (as the qualifying body) had formally submitted the following documents:
- A map identifying the area to which the proposed NDP relates
- The submission draft Laxfield NDP
- A Consultation Statement
- A Basic Conditions Statement
- Copies of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) determination notices. These confirm that this Plan is unlikely to have significant environmental effects
- A number of Supporting Documents
An assessment as to whether this NDP fulfils the Basic Conditions will be carried out by an independent examiner. An initial check was undertaken to confirm that the relevant requirements had been met at this stage. View the Regulation 15 Checklist
Respondents were reminded that their comments would be forwarded to the examiner and, with the exception of personal details, would be published on this website.
SEA/HRA Screening & Determination (May 2020)
The Pre-submission draft version of the NDP was assessed to determine whether a SEA and/or an HRA were needed. The outcome of this exercise was that the need for an SEA Scoping Report and/or HRA Scoping Report were both 'screened-out'.
A copy of the relevant Screening Reports and Notices of Determination are published below:
- Laxfield NDP SEA Screening Report (Land Use Consultants, Mar 2020)
- Laxfield NDP SEA Determination Notice (May 2020)
- Laxfield NDP HRA Screening Report (Place Services, Apr 2020)
- Laxfield NDP HRA Determination Notice (May 2020)