Consultation on the Ipswich Borough Council Local Plan 2026 – 2045 (‘the Local Plan’) Scoping Consultation is between 12:00 (midday) on 8 July and 12:00 (midday) on 2 September 2026.
The Local Plan helps guide decisions about future development in the area. It looks at what the area needs and what opportunities are available. It covers topics such as housing, jobs, roads and services, and the environment. The Plan shows where new development should happen and where it should be limited or not allowed. Councils are legally required to prepare a Local Plan.
The new Local Plan will be based on a wide range of evidence and will go through several stages of public consultation, giving residents and other interested groups the chance to share their views.
We are at an early stage of preparing the new Local Plan and want to hear from residents, businesses and organisations. At this stage we are asking your views on:
- The most important issues facing Ipswich
- The priorities and opportunities for the Local Plan
- The best methods to gather and share information with you.
- Some further specialist topics covering the Town Centre, history/culture and new buildings and services.
Provide your feedback to the consultation
A full survey form has been created for this consultation. It would help us to gather as much information as possible if you could use our online form at:
Comment on Local Plan Scoping Consultation
There's a shorter version for those of you with less time to give your thoughts. It uses a simple scoring system to give us a quick picture of what matters most to you. It takes around 10 minutes to complete and is available here:
Scoping Consultation Shortform
Privacy Statement
Your privacy is important. For further information about how we use your data please visit www.ipswich.gov.uk/your-council/policies-plans-and-strategies/privacy-notice and Planning and Development Privacy Notice (PDF)
The feedback we receive will help us identify the key themes and priorities that will guide the next stages of the plan.
Local Plans and Local Government Reorganisation in Suffolk
Suffolk local authorities have been working together on local plan preparation to support a consistent approach and effective cross-boundary working ahead of Local Government Reorganisation and the anticipated creation of three new unitary authorities in April 2028.
Across Suffolk, local plan timetables have been aligned and the preparation for the scoping consultation (Regulation 20), the first stage of consultation in the local plan process, worked on collectively. It should be noted that the style of questions asked across Suffolk may vary slightly between authorities to reflect the priorities of individual councils.
The intention is that the outcomes of the scoping consultations will collectively inform the plan-making process and will be carried forward where possible into any new local plan boundaries that may result from Local Government Reorganisation.
For more details on the already published Local Plan timetable and Notice to Commence a Local Plan, please use the links below:
Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report
A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is an approach to testing the Local Plan as it is prepared, to inform decisions. The SEA Scoping Report establishes the framework against which the Local Plan policies and alternatives options will be assessed. The Council is required to consult the Environment Agency, Historic England and Natural England on the SEA Scoping Report, but we have also published it alongside the Local Plan Scoping Consultation for anyone to make comments if they wish. The SEA Scoping Report can be found here: SEA Scoping Report
It would help us to gather as much information as possible if you can use our online form at:
Alternatively, you can email your comments (please clearly mark them as for the SEA Scoping Report) to planningpolicy@ipswich.gov.uk. Comments must be received by 12:00 (midday) on 2 September 2026.