Mendlesham Neighbourhood Plan

The Mendlesham Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) was adopted ('made') in March 2017. It is now being modified and updated by Mendlesham Parish Council so that it can continue to help guide and shape future development in the parish.

The process for modifying an adopted NDP is set out in the relevant regulations. The nature of the modification will be the deciding factor on how much of the NDP process needs to be repeated.

Latest news...

Reg 17 Independent Examination (examination resumed May 2022)

Mid Suffolk District Council have appointed Janet Cheesley BA(Hons) DipTP MRTPI to carry out an independent examination of this modification draft NDP. For the latest updates, please access the examination correspondence document below:

The examination started in October 2021 but was soon placed on hold, to allow for two issues to be addressed. These issues related to the the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) screening process and missing content from the Consultation Statement.

The relevant documents were prepared and updated. A consultation that focused on these alone took place between 15 March and 29 April 2022.

The revised Consultation Statement (November 2021) now includes a list of who was consulted at the Regulation 14 stage. It was rewritten to be more relevant to the modification draft NDP:

The SEA Screening Report (November 2021) confirms, retrospectively, that a full strategic environmental assessment of the modification draft Mendlesham NDP was needed.

Respondents were reminded that their comments would be forwarded to the examiner and - with the exception of personal details - published on this website. The same comments were shared with the parish council so that they too could respond as appropriate.

Previous Stages…

Reg 17(e)(ii) Statement

The NDP regulations required the relevant local planning authority to submit a statement to the examiner, that sets out their assessment of the nature of the modifications made to an NDP.

Mid Suffolk District Council have appointed Janet Cheesley BA(Hons) DipTP MRTPI to carry out an independent examination of this modification draft NDP. The relevant regulations also require us to submit to the examiner a statement that sets out our assessment of the nature of the modifications made to this NDP. 

Reg 16 Submission Consultation (12 July to 17 September 2021)

The district council carried out a formal consultation on the submitted Modification Draft 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. The consultation period ran from 12 July 2021 until 17 September 2021. It included a two week extension following publication of revised National Planning Policy Framework on 20 July 2021.

The parish council (the qualifying body) had formally submitted the following documents:

An assessment as to whether this NDP meets the Basic Conditions will be carried out by the independent examiner. 

An initial check was carried out to confirm that the relevant requirements had been met at this stage. Read the updated Regulation 15 checklist

Respondents were reminded that their comments would be forwarded to the examiner and, with the exception of personal details, published on this website. Guidance from NPIERS in 2018 also introduced the opportunity for NDP groups to comment on the representations made at this stage. 

Reg 14 Pre-submission consultation (15 February - 12 April 2021)

Pre-submission consultation on the modification draft NDP took place between 15 February and 12 April 2021. Visit the parish council's website for more information.

HRA screening and determination (September 2020)

A working draft of the modified NDP was screened, to decide whether an HRA was needed. The need for this was 'screened-out'.

The relevant report and determination notice are published below:

The adopted Mendlesham NDP (March 2017)

Formal adoption (March 2017)

At its Full Council meeting on 23 March 2017, Mid Suffolk District Council resolved to adopt the Mendlesham NDP following a majority 'Yes' vote by local residents.

The Plan, which covers the period to 2031, now forms part of the development plan framework for the district. It will be used when reviewing planning applications submitted in Mendlesham unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Reg 18 Local referendum (2 March 2017)

Reg 17 Independent examination (November 2016)

Reg 16 Submission consultation (July - September 2016)

Reg 14 Pre-submission consultation (October - December 2015)

  • Carried out by the parish council between October and December 2015

Reg 05 Area Designation (June 2013)