Call for Sites (20 Oct - 9 Jan 2026)

Following adoption of the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan Part 1 2018-2037 Development Plan Document (DPD) in November 2023, and the December 2024 National Planning Policy Framework, the Councils are progressing with the production of a Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan Review, which will set out a framework for guiding planning development decisions to the mid-2040s. At this initial point of the plan-making process, the Councils are inviting site submissions to be put forward for a variety of land uses for consideration for future development. 

This is known as the ‘Call for Sites’ process. It is important to note that the Call for Sites exercise will not in itself determine whether a site should be allocated for future development. All sites will need to be further assessed, and the overall strategy for the Local Plan will be informed by a number of evidence base documents and feedback from consultations. The submission of a site through the Call for Sites process does not give them any planning status, nor does it in itself determine any future planning status.

Sites submitted in the Call for Sites for residential use exercise in January - February 2024 do not need to be re-submitted and are still being considered for any potential inclusion in the Local Plan as it develops. The Councils have published a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment which documents and assesses all sites received at that time. The Councils are requesting further residential sites to prepare for the increase in the future housing requirements set by the Government.

Site submissions must be received by 5pm on Friday 9 January 2026

Submit a site

Guidance Notice

We encourage submissions through our online portal, if this is not possible the form can be downloaded below 

Call for Sites 2025 paper form

East Suffolk Council and Ipswich Borough Council are running separate call for sites also beginning on 20th October 2025. Details are available on their respective websites at: http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/local-plans and https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy