Elmsett Neighbourhood Plan

The Elmsett Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) was 'made' (adopted) by Babergh District Council in December 2019. It covers the plan period 2017 - 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 nature of the modification will determine how much of the process needs to be repeated.

Elmsett NDP Review

Latest news...

New SEA/HRA Screening Reports and Determination Notice (Aug 2026)

A new Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), a new Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), and a new Determination Notice are published on response to an issue identified during the examination phase.

Of note, these new reports now look at the whole NDP as it is proposed to be modified, rather than just concentrate on the modifications themselves. They, and our new Determination Notice also conclude that the need for a Strategic Environmental Assessment and/or an Appropriate Assessment can be screened out.

Previous stages... 

Reg 17 Examination (on hold, late 2025)

Babergh District Council appointed Ann Skippers BSc (Hons) MRTPI FRSA FHEA AoU to examine the Elmsett NDP Review. 

In a 'Procedures Note' issued on 4 August, the Examiner confirmed that she was satisfied that while the changes made to the Review Plan will require it to be examined, subject to the implementation of any necessary further modifications, it could be 'made' (adopted) without the need to go to a referendum. That note, and an initial set of questions and answers, were set out in the correspondence document published below:

Subsequent to the above, further progress was delayed while clarity was sought around the screening work undertaken during May 2024. In late 2024 an 'in principle' legal opinion was obtained which clarified that review NDPs do require a 'whole plan' SEA and HRA screening approach.

Reg 17(e)(ii) Decision Statement

Where a NDP is being modified, the relevant local planning authority is required to submit a statement to the examiner that sets out their assessment of the nature of the modifications being made to the plan. Our statement is published below:

Reg 16 Submission Consultation (ended 25 Jun 2025)

The Elmsett NDP Review 2025 was submitted on 31 March and was made available for public consultation between 12 May and 25 June 2025.

The review focuses on bringing Spatial Strategy Policy EMST1 and associated 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 2019.

A list of the submitted documents appears below:

An assessment of how this NDP meets the basic condition test will form part of the examination. Our initial checks suggest that the relevant procedural requirements had been met. See our Reg 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. 

SEA/HRA Screening & Determination (July 2024)

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

Reg 14 Pre-submission Consultation (Mar - May 2024)

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

The adopted Elmsett NDP 2017 - 2036

Formal Adoption (Dec 2019)

On 10 December 2019, Babergh District Council agreed to 'make' (adopt) the Elmsett NDP. 

This NDP now forms part of the development plan and will be used to help determine planning applications in the parish of Elmsett unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Supporting Evidence

The following documents provide supporting evidence for the adopted Plan:

Previous stages... 

Reg 18 Local Referendum (7 Nov 2019)

A local referendum on the Elmsett NDP took place on Thursday 7 November 2019. 

Reg 17 Independent Examination (Aug 2019)

The submission draft Elmsett NDP was examined by Ann Skippers BSc (Hons) MRTPI FHEA FRSA AoU. The examination was conducted through written correspondence.

On 5 August 2019, the Examiner issued her final report. It recommended that, subject to modification, the NDP met the basic condition tests and that it should proceed to a local referendum.

Reg 16 Submission Consultation (Feb - Mar 2019)

The submission draft Elmsett NDP was published for consultation between 11 February and 27 March 2019. The Parish Council (the qualifying body) had submitted the following documents:

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

SEA/HRA Screening & Determination (Jan 2019)

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

Reg 14 Pre-submission Consultation (Oct - Nov 2018)

Pre-submission consultation took place between 19 October and 30 November 2018

Reg 05 Area Designation (27 Oct 2017)