A plan for the future of housing and development for two Suffolk districts is now out for consultation.
A plan for the future of housing and development for two Suffolk districts is now out for consultation.
The delayed joint Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils local plan comes as communities face speculative applications for thousands of homes due to a lack of a local plan and housing.
This consultation, which presents several options on how different towns and villages, including Stowmarket and Sudbury, will be developed, is set to run over a period of around 12 weeks, closing at 5pm on November 10.
The new joint plan will be a legal planning document guiding how the districts will develop over the next 20 years, with Mid Suffolk having to deliver an extra 9,951 by 3036, while Babergh is facing another 7,820.
Councillor Lee Parker, Babergh District Council’s cabinet member for planning, said “The joint local plan is an important document that will shape how the districts will develop over the next 20 years.
“This is an opportunity for everyone to have their say, and I am hoping that all those who live or work in the districts will get involved.”
The plan will also identify land for employment, with room for an additional 3,640 jobs in Babergh and 6,450 in Mid Suffolk.
Councillor David Whybrow, Mid Suffolk District Council’s cabinet member for planning, said: “This first stage of consultation on the new joint local plan is everyone’s opportunity to have their say on our strategy and policies for future development.
“Please do take time to find out more and do come along to the public drop-in events.”
The environment and how it should be protected and enhanced is also part of the plan, with options being consulted on.
Following this first consultation, all the comments received will be considered before further consultation is carried out.
How to take part in the consultation
Consultation events will be taking place between 2pm and 7pm at the following venues:
• Elmswell – Monday October 2, The Blackbourne Community Centre, Blackbourne Road
• Stowmarket – Wednesday October 4, United Reformed Church, Ipswich Street
• Eye – Thursday October 5, Eye Community Centre, Magdalen Street
• Tattingstone – Monday October 9, Tattingstone Village Hall, School Road
• Hadleigh – Wednesday October 11, Hadleigh Town Hall, The Guildhall, Market Place
• Sudbury – Thursday October 12, Sudbury Town Hall, Old Market Place.
Paper copies of the consultation document are available at libraries within Babergh and Mid Suffolk and at the councils’ offices for the duration of the consultation period.
The consultation can be viewed and commented upon online at www.babergh.gov.uk/jointlocalplan or at www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/jointlocalplan
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