Neighbourhood Planning in Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe
Neighbourhood Plan referendum
A referendum relating to the Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan will be help on Thursday 8 May 2025.
More information can be found on the Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan information statement.
More general information on neighbourhood planning can be found on the neighbourhood planning page.
For queries regarding the referendum please contact elections@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Post examination - decision to proceed to referendum
Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Parish Council have amended the submission version of the Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan in line with the examiner's report of 13 January 2025.
On 4 March 2025 we issued a decision statement that the amended Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan (referendum version0 can proceed to referendum on Thursday 8 May 2025.
Examination of the Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan
The independent examiner issued his report on Submission Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan on 13 January 2025. The report concludes that subject to a series of recommended modifications set out in the report the Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan meets all the necessary legal requirements.
West Suffolk Council as the local planning authority now has to consider each of the examiners recommendations, the reasons for them, and decide if further modifications are needed, and they are satisfied the plan meets the basic conditions and issue a decision notice.
The council has appointed Andrew Ashcroft MRTPI to carry out the examination of the submission Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan (Regulation 17 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.
- Clarification note from the independent examiner - 25 October 2024
- Information note from the independent examiner: Examination arrangements 11 October 2024
Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan Submission Draft (Regulation 16) consultation - now closed
West Suffolk Council received the submission version of the Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan Review 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 Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan.
We have commenced a six week consultation on Thursday 22 August 2024. The Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan Submission Document can be viewed and responded to via the council's online consultation system.
The plan is supported by a number of evidence documents, including the basic conditions statement and consultation statement, which can be viewed on the council's 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 Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe 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 obligations - 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 2010 (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 Friday 4 October 2024 by using the council's 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 council's online consultation system and hard copies are available to view at the following location:
- West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
- Mildenhall Hub, Sheldrick Way, Mildenhall, Suffolk IP28 7JX (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
- Ixworth Library, Village Hall, High Street, Ixworth, Suffolk IP31 2Hh (during opening hours)
What happens next?
We are working with Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe 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)
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), Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Parish Council carried out a pre-submission consultation on the Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe draft Neighbourhood Plan from 23 May until 7 July 2023. You can view the documents on the Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Parish Council website.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Screening Opinion: Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan
Response to the SEA and HRA: Natural England response, Historic England response
The strategic environmental assessment and habitats regulations assessment screening opinion for the Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan is now available to view.
Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Area designation
On 20 July 2017 the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth formally designated the Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Area.
The area designation statement, map and responses to the consultation can be found below:
- Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe area designation statement
- Map of Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe neighbourhood area (Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Parish boundaries)
- Responses to the neighbourhood area consultation (Historic England, Health and Safety Executive, Suffolk County Council and Natural England attachments)
Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Neighbourhood Area consultation
Between Thursday 25 May and 22 June 2017 we undertook a four week consultation following an application by Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Parish Council to identify an area they feel should be covered by a future neighbourhood plan. The area proposed by the Parish Council for neighbourhood planning purposes follows the parish boundaries of Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe .
As part of the application process, Ixworth and Ixworth Thorpe Parish Council has produced a map of the proposed neighbourhood area and completed an application form reasoning why they have chosen the area to be covered. These documents can be viewed below: