Notice of Local Plan Scoping Consultation (Regulations 20 and 45)
West Suffolk Council Local Plan 2045 Scoping Consultation
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)
The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026
Notice of Local Plan Scoping Consultation (Regulations 20 and 45)
Notice is hereby given that the local plan scoping consultation commences on Tuesday 16 June 2026 (9am) and closes at 5pm on Tuesday 28 July 2026.
The new plan will be called ‘The West Suffolk Local Plan 2045’ and will not incorporate a minerals and waste plan.
During this period the council is inviting representations on:
(i) such matters relevant to the preparation of the local plan as the authority considers appropriate, including what the plan should contain, and
(ii) how the authority should engage consultees in the preparation of the local plan.
Supporting information relating to the local plan scoping consultation and a standard response form are available on the council’s consultation portal.
Copies of the supporting information are also available to view at the council’s offices in Bury St Edmunds and Mildenhall during normal office opening hours and at council libraries.
Representations should be submitted via:
- online consultation portal
- Email to: planning.policy@westsuffolk.gov.uk
- In writing to: Planning Policy, West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3YU
Representations on the West Suffolk Local Plan 2045 Scoping Consultation must be received by the council no later than 5pm on Tuesday 28 July 2026.
Representations may be accompanied by a request to be notified when one or more of the following steps occur:
- the making available of proposed local plan content and evidence under regulation 23(1)(b) and regulation 48(1)(b) (consultation on proposed local plan content and evidence);
- the publication of observations or advice under section 15CA(5) of the Act;
- the making available of the proposed local plan submission documents under regulation 27(1)(b) and regulation 52(1)(b) (consultation on the proposed local plan);
- the submission of the proposed local plan to the Secretary of State for independent examination under section 15D(1) of the Act;
- the making available of the matters specified in regulation 35(2) and regulation 60(2) in accordance with regulation 35(1)(a) (independent examination: local plans);
- a decision of the examiner under section 15D(7) of the Act that the examination under that section is to be paused under section 15DA of the Act for further work to be carried out;
- the publication under section 15DA(7) of the Act of the document and any evidence which is sent to the examiner under section 15DA(6);
- the publication of the recommendations and reasons of the examiner received under section 15D or section 15DA of the Act, in accordance with section 15D(13) or section 15DA(10);
- the adoption or approval of the local plan under Part 2 of the Act.
If you have any questions regarding the consultation or would like any further information, please contact the Strategic Planning Team: email planning.policy@westsuffolk.gov.uk or phone 01284 757368.
George Whalley
Service manager - strategic planning
