New Joint Local Plan
The Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan will provide a framework for shaping our communities - and guiding future development - until the year 2037.
Following the Examination, it was proposed in December 2021 that the Joint Local Plan be split into two parts (the Part 1 Plan and the Part 2 Plan).
In September 2023, the Appointed Inspectors published their Examination report. Their report concludes that the Joint Local Plan - with its recommended Main Modifications - is sound and capable of adoption.
Part 1 of the Joint Local Plan was adopted by Mid Suffolk District Council on 20 November 2023 as set out in Mid Suffolk's adoption statement and by Babergh District Council on 21 November 2023 as set out in Babergh's adoption statement.
A live online Policies Map supports the Joint Local Plan Part 1 and can be accessed below.
For convenience, the Councils have also printed Settlement Maps as of November 2023, which can be accessed via our supplementary document. This document will only be updated with replacement maps if/when new respective Neighbourhood Plan documents are adopted, following the adoption of Part 1 of the Joint Local Plan.
A revised Local Development Scheme was also brought into effect by Mid Suffolk District Council on 20 November 2023 and by Babergh District Council on 21 November 2023, which sets out the planned timetable for the Joint Local Plan Part 2 Plan.
Part 1 of the Joint Local Plan
Joint Local Plan Examination
The Examination has now concluded. Please visit our Joint Local Plan Examination webpage to access information about the Examination:
Call for Sites (5 Jan - 2 Feb 2024)
Following adoption of the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan Part 1 2018-2037 Development Plan Document (DPD) in November 2023, the Councils are progressing with the production of the Joint Local Plan Part 2 DPD. At this initial point of the plan-making process the Councils are inviting site submissions to be put forward for residential land use for consideration for future development. For further information or to submit your site please click below.
Local Plan timetable (the Local Development Scheme)
The new Local Development Scheme (LDS) outlined a Part 1 and Part 2 Joint Local Plan, and set out the revised timetable for the production of the Joint Local Plan. The LDS was approved by both Councils in November 2023.
Evidence base
We publish and maintain a significant evidence base, which relates to the Joint Local Plan. It includes our 2022 Five Year Housing Land Supply Position Statement and Annual Monitoring Reports.
It also includes information about:
- development viability
- infrastructure requirements and funding
- flood risk
- heritage, landscape and transport impact
Join our Joint Local Plan mailing list
If you have already made comments about the Joint Local Plan, you will be notified of any future updates (unless you have chosen otherwise).
If you have not previously made comments, but you would like to receive updates, please register your email address for our mailing list.