Local Plan Timetable

Local Plan Timetable and Statement

The Local Plan Timetable has effect from 25 June 2026.

Published: 25 June 2026

Please note that where precise dates are currently unknown, the first day of the relevant month has been used for indicative purposes only and marked with *. Specific dates will be incorporated into future updates to the timetable once they become known.

 

Publish Local Plan Timetable and Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation

25 June 2026

Publish Local Plan Timetable in accordance with the new plan-making regulations and Government template. The Local Plan Timetable will be reviewed once a month and updated and re-published if necessary.
Publication of the Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation. 

Start date for Local Plan Scoping Consultation

8 July 2026

A Local Plan Scoping Consultation will be undertaken to gather views on what to include in the Local Plan. This will invite representations on matters including how the Council will engage with the public and stakeholders throughout the plan-making process and the issues, opportunities and priorities that the Local Plan should address.

Date when representations to the Local Plan Scoping Consultation must be received

2 September 2026

All comments (representations) on the Local Plan Scoping Consultation must be received on or before the specified date.

Gateway 1: Publication of self-assessment summary

*1 October 2026

Publication of a document setting out details of how we have got ready for plan making, marking formal commencement of plan-making for the purposes of the 30-month timeframe.

Start date for consultation on proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence

*1 September 2027

Consultation on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence, including: 

  • draft vision; 
  • any proposed aims and objectives; 
  • the proposed spatial strategy; 
  • summary of the evidence that the Council intends to gather;
  • details of evidence already gathered; 
  • initial draft policies; and, 
  • Date that notice will be published.

Date when representations to the Proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence consultation must be received

*1 October 2027

All comments (representations) on the Proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence consultation must be received on or before the specified date.

Gateway 2

*1 January 2028 – 1 February 2028

Seeking observations from the Planning Inspectorate on the draft plan and supporting evidence. 

Start date for Proposed Local Plan consultation

*1 June 2028

Consultation on the Proposed Local Plan and supporting documents. 
Date that notice will be published.

Date when representations must be received to the Proposed Local Plan

*1 July 2028

All comments (representations) on the Proposed Local Plan consultation must be received on or before the specified date. 

Gateway 3

*1 August 2028 – 1 September 2028

Testing the Local Plan has met the 'prescribed requirements' and can proceed to Examination. 

Submission of Local Plan for Examination 

*1 October 2028

Submission of Local Plan for Examination. 

Examination

*1 October 2028 – 1 March 2029

Examination of the Local Plan against the tests of soundness set out in national policy.

Adoption

*1 April 2029

Adoption of Local Plan.

Matters the Ipswich Borough Council Local Plan 2026 – 2045 will deal with

The Ipswich Borough Council Local Plan 2026 - 2045 will be a comprehensive Local Plan covering the period 01.04.2026 - 31.03.2045, replacing the existing Ipswich Local Plan Review 2018-2036 (March 2022).

The purpose of the Local Plan is to establish a vision, objectives, spatial strategy, site allocations and planning policies to guide the future growth and development of Ipswich to 2045.

The Minerals and Waste Local Plan for Suffolk will not form part of the Local Plan and will continue to be prepared separately by Suffolk County Council.

Geographic Area Covered by the Local Plan

The Local Plan will cover the administrative area of Ipswich Borough Council. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) code for this area is E07000202. The Local Plan area is shown on the map below. The Local Plan is not being prepared as a joint local plan.


Any Supplementary Plans to be Prepared

There are no current confirmed plans to prepare any Supplementary Plans or any joint Supplementary Plans. 

Publication and Inspection Arrangements

The Local Plan Timetable is prepared and published in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

The latest Local Plan Timetable, Local Plan notices and published consultation documents and evidence base can be viewed at: https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/new-ipswich-local-plan 

Copies of the Local Plan Timetable and Notice of intention to commence Local Plan preparation are also available for inspection at:

  • Ipswich Borough Council, Grafton House, 15–17 Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DE (Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm); 
  • Ipswich County Library, Northgate Street, Ipswich, IP1 3DE (; and
  • Suffolk County Council, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX. 

Please check opening hours with the relevant venue before visiting.

Paper copies of the timetable and notice to commence are available on request from Ipswich Borough Council.

Download a PDF of the Local Plan Timetable

Download a CSV file containing the Local Plan Timetable information. This will be updated when changes are made to the Timetable and when milestones have been met.

Download a CSV file containing the Ipswich Plan

This data is provided under the Open Government Licence. 

 

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