This consultation has now closed.
Following the close of the Examination Hearing Sessions into the Ipswich Local Plan Review (ILPR) on Wednesday 16th December 2020, the Inspectors confirmed to the Council in their letter dated 10th March 2021 that the Examination can proceed to a public consultation on the proposed Main Modifications.
The Council is therefore inviting representations on the proposed Main Modifications, which are intended to address issues of legal compliance and/or soundness. The tests of soundness are defined in paragraph 35 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2021) which states that plans are sound if they are:
The proposed Main Modifications are put forward without prejudice to the Inspectors’ final conclusions regarding the soundness and legal compliance of the ILPR.
The consultation on the Main Modifications will run for eight weeks starting at 9am on 29th July 2021 and ending at 11.45pm on 23rd September 2021. Representations can only be made in respect of the effect of the Main Modifications on the soundness and legal compliance of the ILPR.
Download Notice of Consultation on Ipswich Local Plan Review 2018-2036 Proposed Main Modifications
For each proposed Main Modification to the ILPR the Council has presented:
Download the Schedule of Core Strategy and Policies DPD Main Modifications
The Council has prepared a track-changed version of the Core Strategy and Policies DPD and the Site Allocations and Policies (Incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) DPD, which illustrate how the proposed Main Modifications will be incorporated into the ILPR. The track-changed Core Strategy and Policies DPD and Site Allocations and Policies (Incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) DPD have been published for reference purposes only to support the public consultation on the Main Modifications. Where there is any discrepancy between the tracked-change versions of the plan and the MM Schedules, it is the latter which takes precedence.
The amendments to the Site Allocations and Policies (Incorporting IP-One Area Action Plan) DPD appear extensive, however this is not the case. For the avoidance of doubt the structure of the Plan has been changed as follows:
Download the Track Changed Core Strategy and Policies DPD with Main Modifications
The Council has published a list of changes to the Policies Map for consultation alongside the Main Modifications. The Policies Map is not defined in statute as a development plan document and so the Inspectors do not have the power to recommend Main Modifications to it. The proposed changes will be made to the Policies Map upon adoption by the Council. However, the Council is inviting comments on the Policies Map proposed changes document below separately, but alongside the consultation on the Main Modifications, for completeness:
Download the Policies Map and IP-One Area Inset Map Schedule of Proposed Changes
The Council has also prepared updated versions of the Policies Map and IP-One Area Inset Map for illustrative purposes. The Policies Map and IP-One Area Inset Map have been published for reference only to support the public consultation on the Main Modifications.
Download the updated Policies Map
Download the updated IP-One Area Inset Map
The Main Modifications have been subject to an updated Habitats Regulations Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal. Representations on both documents can be made during the consultation period.
Download the Sustainability Appraisal of Main Modifications
Download Appendix B - Schedule of Main Modifications Site Allocations and Policies (Incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) Development Plan Document Review
Download the Habitats Regulations Assessment of Main Modifications Core Strategy and Development Plan Document Review
At the request of the Inspectors, the Council submitted a number of documents during and after the Hearing in response to issues raised in discussions at the Hearing. These are listed in section K of the Core Documents on the Examination website. The relevant references are:
Representors may comment on the additional evidence contained in these documents insofar as it is relevant to their representations on the Main Modifications.
In addition to the Main Modifications, the Council has also published a Schedule of Additional Modifications, which include updated factual information and typographical corrections to the ILPR only. Please note that the Council has not added the Additional Modifications to the Track Changed Core Strategy and Policies DPD Main Modifications.
The Additional Modifications do not affect the soundness of the Plan and as such do not form part of the public consultation on the Main Modifications.
Download the Schedule of Core Strategy and Policies DPD Additional Modifications
The Council has prepared an updated Equalities Impact Assessment. The Equalities Impact Assessments of the Final Draft ILPR and Preferred Options ILPR are available via the Core Document Library (Reference A12 and B10). Please note that the Equalities Impact Assessment does not form part of the public consultation and has been published for information only
Download the updated Equalities Impact Assessment
The Council has prepared an updated Health Impact Assessment. The Health Impact Assessment of the Final Draft ILPR is available via the Core Document Library (Reference A9). Please note that the Health Impact Assessment does not form part of the public consultation and has been published for information only.
Download the updated Health Impact Assessment
The consultation on the Main Modifications will run for eight weeks starting at 9am on Thursday 29th July 2021 and ending at 11.45pm on Thursday 23rd September 2021.
Representations should only be made in relation to soundness and legal compliance of the proposed Main Modifications. This does not provide an opportunity to reopen issues relating to the ILPR itself.
Representations should be made in writing. They can be submitted via the Council’s Local Plan consultation module. Comments forms are also available for download and are offered in hard copy at the following location:
You can also request printed copies of the consultation form or other relevant consultation materials to be sent to you by calling 01473 432019.
Completed comments forms can be emailed to PlanningPolicy@ipswich.gov.uk or posted to Planning Policy, Planning and Development, Ipswich Borough Council, Grafton House, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DE.
Representations on Main Modifications made during this period will be submitted to the Inspectors for their consideration.
Representations on Policies Map Changes made during this period will be considered by the Council.
Download Main Modifications Consultation Representation Form (Word document copy)
Download Policies Map Changes Consultation Representation Form (View word document)
Download Guidance Note to Accompany Consultation Representation Forms
Due to Covid-19, the Council held a virtual public consultation event. The consultation event took place on the 18th August 2021 at 5.30-7pm. The purpose of the session was to provide information about the Main Modifications to the ILPR.
The sessions was recorded and published on YouTube for anyone to view. The recording is available via the embedded link.
If you have any questions about the recording please email planningpolicy@ipswich.gov.uk, or by telephone on 01473 432019.
At the end of the consultation period the representations on the Main Modifications will be passed to the Planning Inspectors to consider.
Once representations have been considered, the Inspectors will complete their report on their examination of the ILPR and forward it to the Local Authority. The Local Authority has a ‘fact checking’ period of up to two weeks following receipt of the report, after which the final report will be published on the Council’s website. Although the Inspectors’ report is no longer binding on the Council, if a Local Authority chooses to ignore the report recommendations the plan will not be considered sound and therefore will have little status in planning decision making.
The final stage of putting a Local Plan in place is adoption. This legally requires confirmation by a full meeting of the Local Planning Authority (Regulation 4(1) and (3) of the Local Authorities Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000. The Local Planning Authority may only adopt a Local Plan if this is recommended by the Inspectors, including any main modifications recommended by them.
On adopting a Local Plan, the Local Planning Authority has to make publicly available a copy of the plan, an adoption statement and Sustainability Appraisal in line with Regulation 26 and 35 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
While the Local Planning Authority is not legally required to adopt its local plan, it will have been through a significant process locally to engage communities and other interests in discussions about the future of the area and it is to be expected that the Authority will proceed quickly with adopting a plan which has been found sound. Following adoption, there is a 6-week period for High Court challenge.
As the result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is not possible to fulfil all the requirements of the Ipswich Statement of Community Involvement 2018. To continue to progress Local Plan documents and provide opportunities for people to be involved in the planning process in a safe manner it has been appropriate to suspend parts of the SCI temporarily in accordance with the Covid related changes and to provide alternative arrangements. For more information please see the Statement of Community Involvement page on the Council’s website.
Ipswich Borough Council is the data controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 2018 and other regulations including the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679).
As part of our public task, we will process your representation, and store your information securely. Your representation and name will be made public as it will form part of the evidence base used to inform the creation of planning policy documents, but we will not publish your email address, contact address or telephone number.
Please note that we are required to provide your full details to the Planning Inspector and Programme Officer for the purposes of producing the development plan in accordance with the statutory regulations on plan making.
The above purposes may require disclosure of any data received in accordance with the Freedom of information Act 2000. We will use this information to assist in plan making and to contact you regarding the planning consultation process.
Ipswich Borough Council,
Planning Policy,
3W Grafton House,
15-17 Russell Road,
Ipswich,
IP1 2DE
01473 432019
