Neighbourhood Planning in Barningham
Barningham Neighbourhood Plan Submission Draft (Regulation 16) consultation - 17 February to 31 March 2026
On 8 January 2026, West Suffolk Council received the submission version of the Barningham Neighbourhood Plan Submission Draft and accompanying documents. The council has assessed the plan in accordance with the relevant legislation and have approved receipt.
We are keen to hear the views of people who live, work and carry out business in the area. Responses should focus on whether the plan proposal is appropriate to be used for the Barningham Neighbourhood Plan.
We have commenced a six week consultation on Tuesday 17 February (9am) 2026. The Barningham Neighbourhood Plan Submission Draft and other consultation documents can be viewed and responded to via the councils online consultation system.
- Barningham Neighbourhood Plan (Regulation 16) Submission Draft 2025
The plan is supported by a number of evidence documents, including basic conditions statement and consultation statement, which can viewed (for information only) on the councils online consultation system.
What can be commented on ?
Comments are invited regarding whether the ‘plan proposal’ fulfils the ‘basic conditions’ (Paragraph 8, Schedule 4B Town and Country Planning Act (as amended)).
The ‘basic conditions’
Representations received under regulation 16 regarding the plan proposal will be forwarded to an independent examiner, who will assess the Barningham Neighbourhood Plan and supporting documents against ‘basic conditions’. These require that the plan:
- Has regard to national policy and guidance from the Secretary of State.
- Contributes to sustainable development.
- Is in general conformity with the strategic policy of the development plan for the area of any part of that area.
- Does not breach or is otherwise compatible with EU regulations - this includes the SEA Directive of 2001/42/EC.
- The making of the neighbourhood plan is not likely to have significant effect on a European site (as defined in the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2020 (d)), either alone or in combinations with other plans and projects.
How to comment on the proposed submission plan
Please submit your comments by 5pm on Tuesday 31 March 2026 by using the councils online consultation system or via email to neighbourhood.planning@westsuffolk.gov.uk. Comments cannot be accepted if anonymous. All information received is public information (subject to the General Data Protection Regulations).
Where are the documents available
The documents are available for inspection online via the councils online consultation system and hard copies are available to view at the following locations:
- West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
- Mildenhall Hub, Sheldrick Way, Mildenhall IP28 7JX (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
- To view the plans locally, please contact the parish clerk at clerk@barningham-pc.gov.uk, or via Facebook Messenger on the Barningham Parish Council Facebook page.
What happens next?
We are working with Barningham Parish Council to appoint an independent examiner who will make recommendations and their report will be published online in due course.
Once the council has received this report, and reviewed whether modifications are required, it can decide that the plan is ready for a referendum. (Further details can be found under the summary of the key stages in neighbourhood plan at steps 4 to 7.
Strategic environmental assessment and habitats regulations assessment screening opinion: Barningham Neighbourhood Plan
The strategic environmental assessment and habitats regulations assessment screening opinion for the Barningham Neighbourhood Plan is now available to view. It has been prepared to inform consultation with statutory consultees Natural England, Historic England and the Environment Agency.
All enquiries relating to this consultation should be made to Barningham Parish Council
Neighbourhood plan - pre-submission consultation
As part of the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and Regulation 14 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2015 (as amended), Barningham Parish Council is undertaking a pre-submission consultation on the Barningham Draft Neighbourhood Plan until Friday 6 September 2024. You can view the document and comment on the Barningham Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Barningham Neighbourhood Area designation
On 18 April 2017, the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth formally designated the Barningham Neighbourhood Area.
The area designation statement, map and responses to the consultation can be found below:
- Barningham neighbourhood area designation statement
- Map of Barningham neighbourhood area (Barningham Parish boundary)
- Responses to the neighbourhood area consultation (and Natural England attachment and Environment Agency attachment)
Barningham Neighbourhood Area consultation
On 6 March 2017 we commenced a four week consultation following an application by Barningham Parish Council to identify an area they feel should be covered by a future neighbourhood plan. The area proposed by Barningham Parish Council for neighbourhood planning purposes follows the Barningham parish boundary.
As part of the application process, Barningham Parish Council has produced a map of the proposed neighbourhood area. they have also put together a supporting statement reasoning why they have chosen the area to be covered. These documents can be viewed below: