Suffolk County Council are responsible for planning for minerals, waste, and county council developments such as schools and fire stations.

Current Local Plans in Suffolk include:

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council

Part 1 of the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan was adopted by Mid Suffolk District Council and Babergh District Council in November 2023. A live online Policies Map supports the Joint Local Plan Part 1 and can be accessed here.

Following the new National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024, the Councils are now proceeding with a full Joint Local Plan review and not a Part 2 Plan.

The Plan Review stages are:

  • Scoping and participation: March 2026 to July 2026
  • Visioning and strategy development including first public consultation: August 2026 to March 2027
  • Evidence gathering and drafting: April 2027 to December 2027
  • Second public consultation and submission: January 2028 to June 2028
  • Examination and Main Modifications: July 2028 to March 2029
  • Adoption: April 2029

As part of the early stages of the Joint Local Plan Review, the Councils have published the Draft Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), following the January 2024 Call for Sites. The SHLAA identifies potential housing sites submitted for consideration but does not allocate land for development or carry planning status. It serves as an evidence base for the Plan Review and may also support Neighbourhood Development Plans. A further Call for Sites is now open for land submissions across various uses. Sites submitted earlier in 2024 for residential use remain under consideration and do not need to be re-submitted. The deadline for new submissions is 5pm on Friday 9 January 2026. More information and links to the Draft SHLAA and Local Development Scheme can be found at:

https://www.babergh.gov.uk/joint-local-plan

https://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/joint-local-plan

East Suffolk Council

On 1 April 2019, East Suffolk Council was formed from the former Suffolk Coastal and Waveney Councils.

The area is covered by the following Local Plans:

  • Suffolk Coastal Local Plan which was adopted in September 2020 covering the former Suffolk Coastal District area; and
  • Waveney Local Plan which was adopted in March 2019 covering the former Waveney Local Planning Authority area.

East Suffolk Council is beginning work on a new Local Plan for the whole of East Suffolk. This will set out how and where development, including new homes, employment land and infrastructure, should take place up until at least 2044 and will replace the existing Suffolk Coastal and Waveney Local Plans. A Call for sites is currently open until Friday 9 January 2026.

The Broads Authority Local Plan is produced by the Broads Authority and guides development and land use in the special Broads environment area in the north of the District.

Ipswich Borough Council

In March 2022, Ipswich Borough Council adopted the Ipswich Local Plan Review 2018-2036.  The documents are available on the Adopted Ipswich Local Plan Review 2018-2036 page.

The Council is now undertaking a Call for Sites process for the new Ipswich Local Plan. This is a first key step in producing the new Ipswich Local Plan, which will guide development in the Borough up to at least 2044. Sites can be submitted until 15th December 2025.

West Suffolk Council

West Suffolk Council has formally adopted the West Suffolk Local Plan, which will now guide all planning decisions across the district. The plan allocates land for at least 13,005 new homes by 2041, including 8,712 with existing permission and 4,963 new allocations, alongside 85 hectares for employment growth. It introduces updated policies to support affordable housing, health and wellbeing, climate resilience, biodiversity, and green infrastructure. The plan also sets higher standards for space, accessibility, and sustainability in new homes.

For further advice or to find out how your property fits into this framework for planning in Suffolk please contact us.