Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan

The Lavenham Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) was 'made' (adopted) by Babergh District Council in September 2016. It covers the plan period 2016 - 2031. This NDP is now being updated by the Parish Council, with Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan 2 (LNP2) intending to cover the plan period 2023 - 2037.

The process for modifying a NDP is set out in the relevant regulations. The nature of the modifications determine how much of the process needs to be repeated. In the case of LNP2, those modifications will require this plan to subject to a local referendum.

Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan 2

Latest news...

Local referendum (Thur 28 Nov 2024)

A referendum on Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan 2 will be held on Thursday 28 November 2024.

The question that will be asked of those entitled to vote is: "Do you want Babergh District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Lavenham to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Plan Area?"

Further referendum notices will be published on our 'Upcoming elections and referendums' webpage at the appropriate time

The Parish Council have also re-labelled the Design Guide, and the Landscape Character & Sensitivity Assessment as Parts B and C of the plan, respectively. The Design Guide also contains minor amendments as a consequence of changes made to the plan itself through the examination process, i.e., correcting policy number cross-references. 

Previous stages...

Reg 18 Exam Report Decision Statement (21 May 2024)

New procedures agreed in September 2021 meant that a NDP could be advanced to a referendum without Cabinet approval where there was no objection to implementing the Examiner's recommendations in full. That applied in this case, with the decision confirmed through publication of the following statement:

Reg 17 Examination (Final Report 11 Apr 2024)

Babergh District Council appointed Janet Cheesley BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI to carry out an independent examination of LNP2. The examination included two focused consultation periods which were relevant to the basic condition tests. Details of those events are published further below. 

On 11 April 2024, the Examiner issued her final report. It recommended that further modifications should be made to the plan to ensure that it meets the basic condition tests and that, subject to those being implemented, that LNP2 should proceed to a local referendum.

As a post-examination plan, LNP2 became a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications. See Planning Practice Guidance. 

R17 Examination (2nd focused consultation. Ended 26 Jan 2024)

In late December 2023, the Government published a new NPPF. This second focused consultation exercise was undertaken to allow for new comments to be made on the relevant basic condition test. The consultation period ran from 10 - 26 January 2024. 

A copy of the consultation letter and all made representations is published below:

R17 Examination (1st focused consultation. Ended 11 Dec 2023)

Following publication of the new NPPF (in Sept 2023) and the adoption of the Joint Local Plan Part 1 (in Nov 2023), we carried out a focused consultation exercise on whether or not these two events had implications for LNP2 with regard to it meeting certain basic condition tests. The consultation period ran from 27 November until 11 December 2023. 

A copy of the consultation letter and all made representations is published below.

Reg 17(e)(ii) Statement

The NDP regulations require the relevant local planning authority to submit a statement to the examiner that sets out their assessment of the nature of the modifications being made to the NDP. 

Reg 16 Submission consultation (ended 18 August 2023)

The submission draft LNP2 was published for public consultation between 3 July and 18 August 2023.

The Parish Council (the qualifying body) had formally submitted the following documents. (Nb. Some of these are larges files). 

An assessment on how LNP2 met the basic conditions formed part of the examination. At the time of submission, our initial checks suggested that the relevant procedural requirements had been met at this stage. View the Regulation 15 Checklist.

Respondents were also reminded that their comments would be forwarded to the examiner and, with the exception of personal details, be published on this website. 

Reg 15 Submission (May 2023)

LNP2 was formally submitted to Babergh District Council on 4 May 2023.

SEA/HRA screening and determination (Feb 2023)

A draft copy of LNP2 was screened to determine whether a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and or a habitats regulations assessment (HRA) were needed. Both were 'screened-out'. The relevant reports and determination notices are published below:

Reg 14 Pre-submission consultation (8 Dec 2022 to 1 Feb 2023)

Pre-submission consultation on LNP2 ended on 1 February 2023.

The adopted Lavenham NDP 2016 - 2031 (LNP1)

Formal adoption (20 Sept 2016)

On 20 September 2016, Babergh District Council agreed to adopt ('make') the Lavenham NDP following a majority 'yes' vote by local residents. This Plan, which, covers the period up to 2031, became part of the development plan to be used in the determination of planning applications in the parish, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Previous Stages...

Reg 18 Local referendum (Sept 2016)

Reg 17 Independent examination (April 2016)

Reg 16 Submission consultation (Jan - Feb 2016)

Reg 05 Area Designation (2 Sept 2013)