Local Plan Timetable

The Local Plan Timetable has effect from 29 May 2026.

Published: 29 May 2026

Review undertaken on 28 August 2026. There are no changes to the Local Plan Timetable for this month.

Timetable for preparing the East Suffolk Local Plan 

Please note that where precise dates are currently unknown the 1st of the month is set out – specific dates will be added once known through future updates to the Timetable.

Publish Local Plan Timetable and Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation

29 May 2026
Publish Local Plan Timetable in accordance with the new plan-making regulations and Government template. The Local Plan Timetable will be reviewed once a month and updated and re-published if necessary.
Publication of the Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation. 

Start date for Local Plan Scoping Consultation

10 June 2026
A Local Plan Scoping Consultation will be undertaken for a period of at least six weeks from June to July 2026 where representations will be invited. This consultation will invite feedback on matters including how we will engage with the public and stakeholders throughout the plan-making process and what the plan should contain. 

Date when representations to the Scoping Consultation must be received

29 July 2026
All comments (representations) on the Scoping Consultation must be received on or before the specified date.

Gateway 1: Publication of self-assessment summary

01 October 2026
Publication of a document setting out details of how we have got ready for plan making, marking formal commencement of plan-making for the purposes of the 30-month timeframe.

Start date for consultation on proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence

01 May 2027
Consultation for a period of at least six weeks on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence, including draft vision, any proposed aims and objectives, the proposed spatial strategy, summary of the evidence that the Council intends to gather, details of evidence already gathered, initial draft policies. Date that notice will be published.

Date when representations to the Proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence consultation must be received

01 June 2027
All comments (representations) on the Proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence consultation must be received on or before the specified date.

Gateway 2

01 September 2027 – 01 October 2027
Seeking observations from the Planning Inspectorate on the draft plan and supporting evidence. Gateway 2 will take between 4-6 weeks.

Start date for Proposed Local Plan consultation

01 February 2028
Consultation for at least eight weeks on the Proposed Local Plan and supporting documents. 
Date that notice will be published.

Date when representations must be received to the Proposed Local Plan

01 March 2028
All comments (representations) on the Proposed Local Plan consultation must be received on or before the specified date. 

Gateway 3

01 July 2028 – 01 August 2028
Testing the Local Plan has met the 'prescribed requirements' and can proceed to Examination. 
Gateway 3 will take between 4-6 weeks.

Submission of Local Plan for Examination 

01 September 2028
Submission of Local Plan for Examination. 

Examination

01 September 2028 – 01 March 2029
Examination of the Local Plan against the tests of soundness set out in national policy.

Adoption

01 April 2029
Adoption of Local Plan.

The matters that the Local Plan will deal with

The Local Plan will be a comprehensive Local Plan covering the period 1.4.2026 – 31.3.2045, replacing the existing Waveney Local Plan (2019) and Suffolk Coastal Local Plan (2020). The Local Plan will include a vision, objectives, policies and site allocations.

The Local Plan will not cover minerals and waste, as Suffolk County Council is the planning authority for these matters.

The geographical area to which the plan will relate

The Local Plan will cover the administrative district of East Suffolk outside of the Broads Authority Executive Area. The area is shown on the map. The Local Plan is not being prepared as a joint local plan.

Map of East Suffolk showing East Suffolk Plan Area and Broads Authority Area within East Suffolk

 

Any Supplementary Plans to be prepared

There are no current confirmed plans to prepare any Supplementary Plans or any joint Supplementary Plans.

The East Suffolk Local Plan Timetable is prepared and published in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

The Local Plan Timetable has effect from 29 May 2026.

The Local Plan Timetable has been made available to view in the following locations:

Copies of this Local Plan Timetable can be made available on request, in accordance with the Council’s fees and charges for Planning documents