New Joint Local Planning framework: Local Development Scheme (LDS)

The council has to prepare (yet another) Local Plan, with a publicly available program and timetable of the planning documents they intend to prepare. This LDS will replace all LDS/Local Plan programmes previously produced, and be supplemented or updated with real-time progress information. During the summer an employment land review and a strategic housing market assessment will be carried out, and probably an additional call for sites (likely to include sites smaller than the two hectares of the last exercise.)  Despite hundreds of permissions already given, only 157 new homes were built in Babergh last year.  Work is underway to find out just why approved developments are not being started.

Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan

Babergh’s first Neighbourhood Plan is nearing completion. Starting in September 2013, a first draft was published in July last year.  After consultations and compliance checks it was formally examined this March. Babergh have just agreed that with the examiner’s recommended modifications, a local referendum can be held.  If “adopted”, Lavenham’s neighbourhood Plan will be used, where relevant, to determine planning applications.

Online “Open for business” Survey

Babergh and Mid Suffolk are committed to supporting all businesses in the districts. As well as attracting new businesses to the area, they want to help small firms and start-ups with issues like access to finance, dealing with legislation and sharing ideas and best practice.  Both councils need to know much more about how local businesses currently operate, the obstacle they face and how the councils can use their powers and resources to help. This online survey will be instrumental in ensuring the councils  tailor services and target resources.  60% of our businesses are small and based in the rural areas.  Businesses have until 31 July to complete the survey, at. www.Babergh.gov.uk/OpenBusinessSurvey .

Angel Court Hadleigh

Babergh has completed the purchase of Angel Court, in Hadleigh from Suffolk County Council. The site, which was a 29 bed care home, occupies a prime location within the town, but has been empty for some time.  This acquisition is part of a wider aim to invest in communities by acquiring redundant public sites, bringing them back into use for housing.

Delivering the Council’s Strategic Plan

In recent months, we have highlighted the priority areas for Babergh and the five key themes adopted by the council – these are: housing delivery; business growth and increased productivity; community capacity-building and engagement; assets and investment; and turning both councils into enabled and efficient organisations.  You may have seen the “plan on a page” (which you can find on Babergh’s website.)  We are piloting an interactive version of this on the intranet, with a view to making much of it also available to residents.  Whilst it is primarily a management tool, it will also allow people to see what progress the council is making on some 30 projects, all designed to deliver on the five key themes.  As well as being “paper-lite” we hope it will increase transparency and information for our communities.

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