Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

The Needham Market Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) has been prepared by Needham Market Town Council and local community and will be used to help guide and shape future development in the parish.

Reg 20 Formal Adoption (2 March 2022)

In an ‘out of meeting’ decision taken on Wednesday 2 March 2022, Mid Suffolk District Council agreed to adopt ('make') the Needham Market NDP. 

This NDP now forms part of the development plan and will be used to help decide planning applications in the parish, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Supporting Evidence

The following document should be read alongside the adopted NDP:

Previous stages...

Local referendum (24 Feb 2022) 

A local referendum was held on 24 February 2022 to decide if the Needham Market NDP should become part of the Council’s development plan. The count took place the following day.

The question asked was 'Do you want Mid Suffolk District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Needham Market to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Plan Area?'

Reg 18 Decision Statement (20 July 2021)

On 5 July 2021, Mid Suffolk Cabinet committee agreed that, subject to modification, the Needham Market NDP should proceed to a local referendum.

Reg 17 Independent Examination (Final Report - 24 May 2021)

Mid Suffolk District Council appointed Ann Skippers BSc (Hons) MRTPI FHEA FRSA AoU to carry out an independent examination of the Needham Market NDP. The examination was conducted through written correspondence.

On 24 May 2021, the examiner issued her final report. It recommends that, subject to modification, the NDP meets the basic conditions and should proceed to a local referendum.

Planning practice guidance also provides advice on the weight to be attached to this post-examination plan. 

Reg 16 Submission Consultation (2 Dec 2020 - 27 Jan 2021)

The submission draft Needham Market NDP was made available for public consultation between 2 December 2020 to 27 January 2021. The Town Council (the qualifying body) had formally submitted the following documents:

An assessment on how this NDP met the basic condition tests formed part of the examination. At the time of submission, our initial checks suggested that the relevant requirements had been met at this stage. View the Reg 15 Checklist.

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

SEA/HRA Screening and Determination (May 2020)

The pre-submission draft NDP was screened to determine whether a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and or a Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) were needed. Both were 'screened-out'. The relevant reports and our determination notices are published below:

Reg 14 Pre-submission Consultation (27 January - 10 March 2020)

Consultation on the pre-submission draft version of this NDP by the Town Council closed on 10 March 2020.

Reg 05 Area Designation (September 2013)