Woolpit Neighbourhood Plan

The Woolpit Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) is being prepared by Woolpit Parish Council and the local community. When completed, it will be used to help guide and shape future development in the parish.

Latest news…

Local Referendum and implications of Coronavirus Act 2020 (published 19 Oct 2020)

On 5 October 2020, Mid Suffolk’s Cabinet committee agreed that the Woolpit NDP should continue to a local referendum. This is subject to the implementation of all modifications set out in the Independent Examiner's Report.

The decision to continue to a referendum is further confirmed through publication of the following Decision Statement. 

The COVID-19 emergency and regulations linked to the Coronavirus Act 2020 mean that no referendum can take place until May 2021 at the earliest. However, the government remain committed to keeping those regulations under review.

We will do the same and will confirm the referendum date as soon as we are able to do so. The delay does not prevent us from publishing the referendum version of this Plan when we are able to do so. 

Previous stages...

Reg 17 Independent Examination (Final Report dated 3 August 2020)

Mid Suffolk District Council appointed Janet Cheesley BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI to carry out an independent examination of the Woolpit NDP. The examination took place through written correspondence and included a focused two-week consultation on proposed significant modifications.

On 3 August 2020 the Examiner issued her Final Report. This recommends that, subject to modification, the Woolpit NDP meets the basic conditions and should proceed to a local referendum.

A report on the above went to Mid Suffolk Cabinet on 5 Oct 2020. Planning practice guidance also provides advice on the weight that can now be attached to a post-examination NDP.

Consultation on Proposed Significant Modifications (22 June to 13 July 2020) 

At the Examiner's request, Mid Suffolk District Council undertook a focused, two-week consultation on proposed significant modifications to the Woolpit NDP.

These were first identified in the Open Letter to the Parish Council, dated 4 March 2020. They were further confirmed in a letter from the Examiner dated 24 June 2020. Both letters are included in the Examination Correspondence Document

The proposed significant modifications were as follows:

"The deletion of Policy WPT1 (Spatial Strategy). The sites identified in Policies WPT3 (Land south of Old Stowmarket Road) and WPT4 (Land east of Green Lane) would remain as existing commitments, rather than allocations.

The deletion of Policy WPT5  (Land north of Woolpit Primary School) as this site does not currently have planning permission. The reasons for these significant changes are outlined in my ‘Open Letter’ to Woolpit Parish Council dated 4 March 2020.”

Copies of all the written representations received were sent to the Examiner. 

Reg 16 Submission Consultation (16 Dec 2019 – 7 Feb 2020)

The District Council undertook formal consultation of the submitted Woolpit NDP. This was to check it fulfils the Basic Conditions required by Paragraph 8(1)(a)(2) of Schedule 4B of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. These Conditions were inserted into the Act 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 16 December 2019 to Fri 7 February 2020.

Woolpit Parish Council (the qualifying body) formally submitted the following documents:

An assessment as to whether the Woolpit NDP fulfils the Basic Conditions will be undertaken by the Independent Examiner (see Latest News). An initial check has been undertaken to confirm that the relevant requirements were met at this stage.

View the Reg 15 Checklist

Respondents were also reminded that their comments would be forwarded to the Independent Examiner and published on this website. This is with the exception of personal details.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)/Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Screening & Determination (May 2019)

The Pre-submission draft NDP was assessed to decide whether an SEA and/or a HRA were required. The outcome was that the need for both were 'screened-out'.

Copies of the relevant Report and Notices of Determination are published below:

Reg 14 Pre-submission Consultation (1 Mar to 19 Apr 2019)

Reg 5 Area Designation (4 May 2016)