Land bids (sites submitted for future allocation) have been submitted by landowners and developers and the Council is seeking to identify which sites, if any, offer the best solution to meet identified community needs. Sufficient land will be allocated to meet predicted needs, but many of the sites put forward will be surplus to requirements. Only the most appropriate sites will be taken forward to the next stage.

The Site Specific Allocations (Land Bids) DPD (Development Plan Document) will show all sites which have been specifically identified for development in order to meet the Council's vision and objectives or strategic policies of the Core Strategy and the Development Control Policies. It will set out policies and proposals relevant to the sites including detailed requirements for their development and phasing policies.

An evidence gathering Issues and Options paper for the Site Specific Allocations (Land Bids) was out for consultation until 18th January 2008.   Representations are available to view.

Next Stage In line with the Revised LDS Timetable, the next stage for the Site Specific Allocations has been split into two phases: Phase 1  (October 2008) - will consider land bids in; Stowmarket, Stowupland, Onehouse, Haughley, Combs, Badley and Creeting St Peter. Phase 2  (September/October 2009) - will consider Land Bids in the rest of District. The submission document which is scheduled to be published in Spring 2010, will state the land bids the Council supports.  When will the final decision on land bids be made? The final decision rests with the Inspector after the public examination who will consider the land bids in October 2010.  A final report and recommendations is expected in early 2011. Will the Council redefine settlement boundaries? The Core Strategy is proposing to remove some of the smaller settlement boundaries. Settlement boundaries will be revised to accommodate adopted allocations.  This will be informed by the Mid Suffolk's Core Strategy DPD.

May 2008 - Core Strategy, Examination in Public

The Core Strategy has significant implications for land bids as it sets the policy rules under which decisions on land bids will be made. In line with national and regional guidance, development should be directed towards sustainable locations with a good range of local services. The Council is therefore unlikely to support land bids for allocations of land or extensions to settlement boundaries in villages and countryside locations which do not have a good range of services/facilities.