Neighbourhood Planning in Withersfield
Examination of the Withersfield Neighbourhood Plan
The council has appointed Andrew Ashcroft MRTPI to carry out the examination of the submission Wickhambrook Neighbourhood Plan (Regulation 17 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012).
| Clarification note from the independent examiner - 3 November 2025 | Withersfield Parish Council's response to inspector's clarification note - 1 December 2025 |
Withersfield Neighbourhood Plan Submission Draft (Regulation 16) consultation - now closed
View the Responses to the consultation
West Suffolk Council received the submission version of the Withersfield Neighbourhood Plan and accompanying documents on 14 July 2025. The council has assessed the plan in accordance with the relevant legislation and have approved receipt.
The consultation has sought the views of people who live, work and carry out business in the area.
A consultation was carried out from Tuesday 7 August (9am) 2025 until Wednesday 15 October 2025. The Withersfield Neighbourhood Plan submission document can be viewed and responded to on the council's online consultation system.
The plan is supported by evidence based documents which can also be viewed on the council's online consultation system.
What could be commented on?
Comments were 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 Withersfield 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.
Where are the documents available
The documents are available below for inspection online and hard copies are available to view at the following locations:
- West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3YU
- Mildenhall Hub, Sheldrick Way, Mildenhall, Suffolk IP28 7JX
- Withersfield Village Hall, Turnpike Hill, Withersfield, Haverhill CB9 7RX
Hard copies of the documents can be sent to those who are unable to easily view them online. Please call strategic planning on 01284 757368 or email neighbourhood.planning@westsuffolk.gov.uk to use this service.
What happens next?
We have worked with Withersfield 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. (More 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), Withersfield Parish Council is undertaking a pre-submission consultation on the Withersfield draft Neighbourhood Plan from 7 November to 23 December 2022. You can view the document and comment on the Withersfield Parish Council website.
All enquiries relating to this consultation should be made to Withersfield Parish Council.
Withersfield Neighbourhood Area designation
On 7 January 2020 Withersfield Parish Council submitted an application to define the boundary of its neighbourhood plan. The regulations regarding neighbourhood area applications have changed and there is no longer a requirement for publicity if the application is for the whole parish area - as it is in this instance.
Under the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended), the council confirmed the designated area on 24 January 2020.