Hartest Neighbourhood Plan

The Hartest Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) is being prepared by Hartest Parish Council. When complete, it will be used to help guide and shape future development in the parish.

Latest news...

Reg 17 Examination (commenced 4 Nov 2025)

Babergh District Council have appointed Ann Skippers BSc (Hons) MRTPI FRSA AoU to examine the Hartest NDP.

This phase is now underway and, as part of that, the Examiner has issued a 'procedures note' that sets out her role, etc. A copy of that note is reproduced below. Further updates will also be published below, as and when required.

• Read the Examination Procedures Note (4 Nov 2025)

Previous stages...

Reg 16 Submission consultation (ended 10 Oct 2025)

The Hartest NDP was submitted in early August and was made available for public consultation between 26 August and 10 October 2025. A list of the submitted documents appears below:

• A Map identifying the Hartest NDP Area
• The submission draft Hartest NDP 2024 - 2037
• A Consultation Statement
• A Basic Conditions Statement
• A Design Codes & Guidance document (AECOM, June 2023)
• An Assessment of Important Views (March 2025)
• A Character Appraisal
• Copies of the SEA & HRA Screening Reports (LUC, Oct 2024) and our Determination Notice (Dec 2024), published below

An assessment on how this NDP meets the basic condition tests will form part of the examination. Our initial checks suggested that the relevant procedural requirements had been met. See our Regulation 15 Checklist.

Respondents were also reminded that their comments could not be treated as confidential and that, with the exception of personal contact details, would be published here at the end the consultation period. 

• See the Reg 16 consultation responses (includes the Parish Council response)

SEA/HRA Screening and Determination (Dec 2024)

The 2024 pre-submission draft Hartest NDP has been screened to determine whether a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and or a Habitats Assessment (HRA) were required. Both were 'screened out'. The relevant reports and our determination notice are published below:

• Read the Hartest NDP SEA Screening Report (LUC, Oct 2024)
• Read the Hartest NDP HRA Screening Report (LUC, Oct 2024)
• Read the Hartest NDP SEA HRA Determination Notice (Dec 2024)

Reg 14 Pre-submission Consultation (5 Oct to 18 Nov 2024)

Consultation by Hartest Parish Council on this version of their draft NDP closed on 18 November 2024. 

Reg 14 Pre-submission Consultations (2017, 2018, and 2021)

Previous draft versions of this NDP were consulted on by the Parish Council in Spring 2017, Spring 2018, and early 2021. 

Reg 05 Area Designation (5 June 2014)

The Hartest NDP area was designated by Babergh District Council on 5 June 2014. 

• See the Hartest NDP Area Designation documents