Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report Consultation

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have published a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Scoping Report to support the preparation of the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan Part 2 Development Plan Document, following adoption of the Part 1 Joint Local Plan in November 2023. 

SA is an assessment process designed to consider and report upon the significant sustainability issues and effects of emerging plans and policies, including their reasonable alternatives. SA iteratively informs the plan-making process by helping to refine the contents of such documents, so that they maximise the benefits of sustainable development and avoid, or at least minimise, the potential for adverse effects.

The purpose of this SA Scoping Report is to provide the context for and determine the scope of the SA of the Part 2 Joint Local Plan and to set out the assessment framework for undertaking the later stages of the SA.

The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the proposed approach to the SA, in particular:

•    Whether there are any additional plans, policies or programmes that are relevant to the SA that should be included.
•    Whether the baseline information provided is robust and comprehensive and provides a suitable baseline for the SA of the Part 2 Joint Local Plan.
•    Whether there are any additional key sustainability issues relevant to the Plan area that should be included. 
•    Whether the proposed SA framework (Chapter 11) is appropriate and includes a suitable set of SA objectives.
•    Whether the criteria and assumptions for appraising potential site allocations are appropriate for this stage of the SA process.

We are inviting comments on the draft documents for five weeks - from Thursday 22th August, until 4pm on Monday 30th September 2024. Comments must be received by this time. To view the document and make a comment, please access the link below:

SA Scoping Report Consultation

We encourage submissions through our online portal. if this is not possible, please send your comments via email to localplan@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk.

You can also send comments in writing to:

Strategic Planning Policy Team

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils

Endeavour House

8 Russell Road

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP1 2BX