Aldham Neighbourhood Plan

The Aldham Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) was 'made' (adopted) by Babergh District Council in January 2020. It covers the plan period 2018 - 2036.

This NDP is now being reviewed (modified) in part so that it can continue to help guide and shape development in the parish. The process for modifying a NDP is set out in the relevant regulations. The nature of the modification will determine how much of the process needs to be repeated.

Aldham NDP Review

Latest news...

Reg 16 submission consultation (ended 29 Aug 2025)

The Aldham NDP Review was submitted in late May and was made available for public consultation between 30 June and 29 August 2025. This included a two-week extension following the belated submission of the Policy Map.

The review focuses on bringing Spatial Strategy Policy ALD1 and relevant supporting text up to date following the adoption of Part 1 of the Babergh & Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan (Nov 2023). Some other background information has also been updated, but the plan is otherwise largely unchanged from the one adopted in January 2020.

A list of the submitted documents appears below. 

As assessment on how this NDP meets the basic condition test will form part of the examination. Our initial checks suggested that the relevant procedural requirements had been met at the submission stage. See our Regulation 15 Checklist.

Respondents were also reminded that their comments could not be treated as confidential and that, with the exception of personal contact details, they would be published on this webpage at the end of the consultation period. 

Previous stages...

SEA/HRA Screening & Determination (Jun 2024)

Those parts of the Aldham NDP being reviewed were screened to determine whether a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and or a Habitats Assessment (HRA) were required. Both were 'screened-out'. The relevant reports and our determination notice are published below:

Reg 14 Pre-submission consultation (ended 13 May 2024)

Pre-submission consultation by Aldham Parish Council on proposed amendments to their adopted plan closed on 13 May 2024.

The adopted Aldham NDP 2018 - 2036

Formal Adoption (Jan 2020)

At its Full Council meeting on 21 January 2020, Babergh District Council agreed to 'make' (adopt) the Aldham NDP. This NDP now forms part of the development plan and will be used to help determine planning applications in the parish, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Previous stages... 

Reg 18 Local Referendum (5 Dec 2019)

A local referendum on the Aldham NDP took place on Thursday 5 December 2019.

Reg 17 Independent Examination (Sept 2019)

Babergh District Council appointed Ann Skippers BSc (Hons) MRTPI FHEA FRSA AoU to carry out an independent examination of the Aldham NDP. On 9 September 2019, she issued her final report. It recommended that, subject to modification, this NDP met the basic conditions and that it should proceed to a local referendum.

Reg 16 Submission Consultation (May - July 2019)

The submission draft Aldham NDP was made available for public consultation between 28 May and 10 July 2019. The Parish Council (the qualifying body) had submitted the following documents:

Our Regulation 15 Checklist suggested that the relevant procedural requirements had been met at this stage. See also:

SEA / HRA Screening & Determination (Apr 2019)

The pre-submission draft NDP was screened to determine whether a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and or a Habitats Assessment (HRA) were required. Copies of the relevant report and determination notices are published below:

Reg 14 Pre-submission Consultation (Feb to Apr 2019)

Pre-submission consultation by the Parish Council took place between 26 February and 12 April 2019.

Reg 05 Area Designation (14 June 2018)