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Examination update

The Councils are currently working with our consultants and project partners to scope and progress the outstanding matters raised by the inspectors during the examination so far - and the necessary main modifications. The inspectors have written to the Councils on 28 April 2022 with the latest update (document G11) on the anticipated examination schedule.

Following the exploratory meeting with the inspectors on Thursday 16 December 2021, it is proposed to progress the current Joint Local Plan (JLP) as a 'Part 1' local plan. This will be followed by the preparation and adoption of a 'Part 2' local plan as soon as possible.

The Local Development Scheme will be updated to reflect this. This will provide details about what each plan will cover, and the timetable for their production. In the meantime, the letter from the inspectors (document G09) gives details on the areas each plan will be likely to include.

Visit our JLP Examination homepage

Letter from inspectors regarding Joint Local Plan Examination

The inspectors have sent a letter to the Councils, dated 9 December 2021, in response to a letter dated 18 November 2021 (document G08). The letter from the inspector is in regards to the proposed work programme.

The new letter is available to view in our Core Document Library (as document G09). The Councils have acknowledged and agreed in principle (document G10) to the proposals in the inspectors' letter.  The approach - as set out in the letter - will be discussed further at a virtual meeting between the Councils and the inspectors, on Thursday 16 December 2021 at 10am. The virtual meeting will be livestreamed on the Council's YouTube Channel.

Date for exploratory meeting set 

A meeting between the Council and inspectors to discuss the proposed work programme content (document G08) is being held on Thursday 16 December at 10am. This meeting will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel and a recording will be available to view afterwards.

Letter to inspectors published for proposed work programme

The Council has produced and provided a letter to the inspectors, regarding the proposed work programme for the Joint Local Plan (JLP). This is available to view on our Core Document Library (as document G08).

Draft five year land supply position statement published (3 November 2021)

The Council has produced a new draft five year land supply position statement. The period for stakeholders to submit their comments is six weeks long.

To view the documents and further information, please visit the Council's planning policy online consultation portal.

Postponement of Matter 9 and 10 hearing sessions

Following the Matter 4 sessions, the Councils have proposed to undertake further work regarding the Joint Local Plan's spatial distribution and the housing site selection process.

As a result, the Matter 9 and 10 sessions will not proceed as scheduled (they were originally due to start on Monday 1 November 2021). The inspectors and Councils apologise for any inconvenience caused. 

Sustainability appraisal legal advice note published

The Councils have added this new document to the Core Document Library (as document H35 (page 19)).

Matter 2 and Matter 4 further statements

Further documents for:

  • Matter 2 – Gypsy and Traveller, and Travelling Showpeople Provision and Boat Dwellers
  • Matter 4 - Settlement Hierarchy, Spatial Distribution of Housing and Housing Site Selection Process

have been published and are available to view via our Core Document Library.

Matter 2 documents can be accessed from pages 20 - 21 and Matter 4 documents can be accessed from pages 23 - 26.

Examination hearings

The virtual hearing sessions start again on Wednesday 22 September 2021 at 09.30am. All hearing sessions are live streamed through the Council’s dedicated YouTube channel.

For:

  • further information on the full virtual hearings programme
  • access to the dedicated YouTube live streaming
  • the entire Core Document Library

please visit our Joint Local Plan examination homepage.

Further documents from the Councils have been added to the Core Document Library as below:

  • H30 – Council review of SP03, SP04 & LP01
  • H31 – Spatial Distribution Statement
  • H32 – BMSDC Joint SHELAA Report – RAG Addendum Sept 2021

Regarding the above documents, the inspectors are inviting written comments (as brief as possible and no more than 3,000 words) from participants at the Matters 4, 9 or 10 hearing sessions to be submitted to the Programme Officer by 12pm (midday) on Friday 1 October 2021.

In addition, the Councils have also added Document G07 to the Core Document Library regarding Matter 2 – Gypsy and Traveller, and Travelling Showpeople Provision and Boat Dwellers. The inspectors are also inviting written comments on Document G07 (as brief as possible and no more than 3,000 words) from participants at the Matters 2 hearing session to be submitted to the Programme Officer by 12pm (midday) on Friday 1 October 2021.

Previous updates...

Examination hearings to reconvene in September 

The Stage 1 sessions originally scheduled for June and July 2021, will now take place over a concentrated period from 22 September 2021. This means that the Stage 2 hearing sessions will still take place in mid-Autumn 2021, as originally planned. 

This will enable fully inclusive hearing sessions, whilst also ensuring public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A preliminary Matter 4 hearing session, just involving the Councils, was held virtually on Wednesday 21 July 2021 at 9.30am. Matter 4 considers the Settlement Hierarchy, Spatial Distribution of Housing and the Housing Site Selection Process. This hearing session is available to view on our YouTube Channel.

The session was conducted by the Inspectors and was streamed online. A recording will be kept on this website, until the main Matter 4 hearing session takes place, so that people can view it.

Notice of commencement of examination hearing

The start date of the examination hearing for the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan (JLP) 2018 – 2037, will be at 09:30 on 21 June 2021 at Ipswich Hotel (Old London Road, Ipswich, IP8 3JB).

For full details and explanation (including details of any changes), please visit our JLP examination homepage:

Visit our JLP examination homepage

Submission of the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan for examination (Regulation 22)

The Babergh and Mid Suffolk JLP was formally submitted to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for independent examination on 31 March 2021.

For further information and all documentation, please visit our JLP submission webpage:

Visit our JLP submission webpage

Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan - pre-submission (Regulation 19) consultation (consultation closed)

The Babergh and Mid Suffolk JLP pre-submission (Regulation 19) consultation opened on 12 November 2020 and closed at 12pm on 24 December 2020.

To read the:

  • Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan - Pre-submission (Regulation 19) consultation (November 2020) or
  • Sustainability Appraisal and Appropriate Assessment 2020

please visit our JLP pre-submission (Regulation 19) consultation (Nov 2020) webpage.

Local Plan timetable (the Local Development Scheme)

A new Local Development Scheme (LDS), which sets out the revised timetable for the production of the JLP, was approved by Babergh District Council on 21 July 2020 and Mid Suffolk District Council on 23 July 2020.

The key stages and milestones of the JLP can be viewed in the document, which confirms that the next formal stage of public consultation is due in Autumn 2020.

View the new Local Development Scheme

Evidence base updates

The Councils have a significant evidence base relating to the JLP. It includes a sustainability appraisal and a habitats regulations assessment (HRA). It also includes information about:

  • development viability
  • infrastructure requirements and funding
  • flood risk
  • heritage impact
  • landscape impact
  • transport impact

You can access our current evidence base online:

Current Evidence Base

Local Plan mailing list

If you have already made comments about the JLP, you will be notified of any future information (unless you have chosen otherwise).

If you have not previously made comments about the JLP and wish to receive updates, please register for the Babergh and Mid Suffolk JLP mailing list:

Register for our JLP mailing list