Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan

The Lavenham Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) was 'made' (adopted) by Babergh District Council in September 2016. It covers the plan period 2016 - 2031.

This NDP is now being updated by the Parish Council. Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan 2 (LNP2) will cover the plan period 2023 - 2037.

The process for modifying a NDP is set out in the relevant regulations. The nature of the modifications will determine how much of the process needs to be repeated.

Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan 2

Latest news...

Reg 18 Exam Report Decision Statement (21 May 2024)

In September 2021, the Council agreed that neighbourhood plans could be advanced to a local referendum without Cabinet approval where there was no objection to implementing the Examiner's recommendations in full. That applies in this case, and the decision is confirmed through publication of the following statement:

Read the LNP2 R18 Decision Statement (May 2024)

As soon as we can, we will publish the referendum version of LNP2 and confirm the date of the local referendum. Until then, both the submitted draft plan and the final exam report should continue to be read together.

Previous stages...

Reg 17 Examination (Final Report 11 Apr 2024)

Babergh District Council appointed Janet Cheesley BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI to carry out an independent examination of LNP2. The examination phase included two focused consultation periods which were relevant to the basic condition tests. Details of those events are published further below.

On Thursday 11 April 2024, the Examiner issued her final report. It recommended that further modifications should be made to the plan to ensure that it meets the basic condition tests and that, subject to those being implemented, that LNP2 should proceed to a local referendum.

Read the LNP2 Exam Report (Apr 2024)
See also the Examination Correspondence document (last updated 6 Dec 2023)

As a post-examination plan, LNP2 is now also a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications. See Planning Practice Guidance.

R17 Examination (2nd focused consultation. Ended 26 Jan 2024)

In late December 2023, the Government published a new NPPF. This second focused consultation exercise was undertaken to allow for new comments to be made on the relevant basic condition test. The consultation period ran from 10 - 26 January 2024.

A copy of the consultation letter and all made representations is published below:

Read the LNP2 2nd Focused Consultation responses (Jan 2024)

R17 Examination (1st focused consultation. Ended 11 Dec 2023)

Following publication of the new NPPF (in Sept 2023) and the adoption of the Joint Local Plan Part 1 (in Nov 2023), we carried out a focused consultation exercise on whether or not these two events had implications for LNP2 with regard to it meeting certain basic condition tests. The consultation period ran from 27 November until 11 December 2023.

A copy of the consultation letter and all made representations is published below.

Read the LNP2 Basic Conditions consultation responses (Dec 2023)

Reg 17(e)(ii) Statement

The NDP regulations require the relevant local planning authority to submit a statement to the examiner that sets out their assessment of the nature of the modifications being made to the NDP.

Read our Reg 17(e)(ii) Statement on LNP2

Reg 16 Submission consultation (ended 18 August 2023)

The submission draft LNP2 was published for public consultation between 3 July and 18 August 2023.

The Parish Council (the qualifying body) had formally submitted the following documents. (Nb. Some of these are larges files).

A Map identifying the NDP Area
The submission draft Lavenham NP2 (2023 – 2037)
A Consultation Statement
A Basic Conditions Statement
A Modification Statement (Summarises the modifications and sets out the Parish Councils opinion on whether or not these will require LNP2 to go back to a referendum)
Copies of the SEA and HRA Screening Reports and Determination Notices (see further below)
A LNP2 Design Guide
An updated Landscape Character & Sensitivity Assessment (2023)
An Assessment of Local Green Space & other Open Spaces in Lavenham
A set of Hedgerow & Field Boundary Maps (linked to Appendix 6 in LNP2)
A Note to Parish Councillors on the Maximum Size of Residential Schemes (Apr 2023)
A Note on House Prices in Lavenham (year to Sept 2022)
An Estate Agents Survey (early 2022)

An assessment on how LNP2 meets the basic conditions will form part of the examination (see the Reg 17 sections above). Our initial checks suggested that the relevant requirements had been met at this stage. View the Regulation 15 Checklist.

Respondents were also reminded that their comments would be forwarded to the examiner and, with the exception of personal details, be published on this website.

Reg 15 Submission (May 2023)

LNP2 was formally submitted to Babergh District Council on 4 May 2023.

SEA/HRA screening and determination (Feb 2023)

A draft copy of LNP2 was screened to determine whether a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and or a habitats regulations assessment (HRA) were needed. Both were 'screened-out'. The relevant reports and determination notices are published below:

Reg 14 Pre-submission consultation (8 Dec 2022 to 1 Feb 2023)

Pre-submission consultation on LNP2 ended on 1 February 2023.

The adopted Lavenham NDP 2016 - 2031

Formal adoption (20 Sept 2016)

At its Full Council meeting on 20 September 2016, Babergh District Council resolved to adopt ('make') the Lavenham NDP following a majority 'yes' vote by local residents.

The Plan, which covers the period up to 2031, now forms part of the development plan framework for the district and will be used in the determination of planning applications in the parish unless material considerations indicate otherwise.