Purpose

The Cabinet will be asked to recommend to Council, the approval of the publication of the local plan timetable and formal notice to commence the local plan making and scoping consultation (in accordance with the new Local Plan Regulations, still to be published)

Decision

Recommended to Council: (12 May 2026)

That:

1. Formal notice be given to commence preparation of a New West Suffolk Local Plan in June 2026 in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.
2. A timetable for preparation of a new Local Plan for West Suffolk, as set out in Appendix A to Report number CAB/WS/26/018, be approved for publication in June 2026.
3. Delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to agree and publish the local plan timetable in accordance with the government template and agree subsequent updates to the West Suffolk local plan timetable when necessary.  
4. Delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to finalise and agree a Local Plan Scoping Consultation for publication in June 2026 for a minimum of six weeks.