Otley Neighbourhood Plan
Otley Parish Council has submitted their Neighbourhood Plan to East Suffolk Council ahead of it being submitted for independent examination. East Suffolk Council is publicising the plan and inviting representations by 5pm on 9 April 2025.
Otley neighbourhood area » East Suffolk Council
Devolution for Norfolk and Suffolk
The Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government are seeking views on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Closes on 13 April.
National:
Water Sector in England and Wales
Defra has issued a Call for Evidence setting out the areas where the Independent Water Commission is seeking views in relation to the water sector in England and Wales. Independent Water Commission – Call for Evidence – Defra – Citizen Space
Closes on 23 April.
Establishment of GB Railways
The Department for Transport are seeking views on new policies to be included in the forthcoming Railways Bill, “which will enable the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR)”. A railway fit for Britain’s future – GOV.UK
Closes on 15 April.
Working Together on River Basin Management Plans
The Environment Agency is consulting on the approach to working with stakeholders to review and update the river basin management plans in 2027. Working Together 2024 – Environment Agency – Citizen Space
Closes on 14 May.
Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero are consulting on a new Warm Homes Strategy, seeking views on:
- an updated policy plan to support progress towards the fuel poverty target and to help vulnerable households
- the future role of the fuel poverty target
- how fuel poverty is measured
Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy – GOV.UK
Closes on 4 April.
The following are ones we have previously circulated in recent weeks but which are still open:
Neighbourhood Plan Guidance – Draft Documents
East Suffolk Council are developing two guidance documents for neighbourhood planning groups to assist them in producing planning policies when producing or reviewing neighbourhood plans, one related to climate change, and the other related to housing, and are consulting for feedback on the draft of each of the two documents. Each consultation seeks views on the proposed content of the document. The questionnaires include questions on each of the sections of the guidance, followed by questions about whether any topics have been missed, and whether any additional glossary entries, case studies or external links would be helpful to include.
Deadline for responses to consultations on both documents: 12 March 2025. CLOSES SOON
Climate change: Neighbourhood Plan Guidance for Climate Change – East Suffolk Council, Strategic Planning Consultations
Housing: Neighbourhood Plan Guidance for Housing – East Suffolk Council, Strategic Planning Consultations
Ipswich Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan
Ipswich Borough Council is consulting on their draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan the purpose of which is to encourage more travel around Ipswich by means of walking, cycling, and wheeling. Deadline 6 March. CLOSES SOON
Ipswich Borough Council Draft Ipswich Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan | ipswich.gov.uk
Consultation on proposals to improve energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes
The Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government are consulting on proposals to raise the minimum energy efficiency standard required of privately rented homes in England and Wales to the equivalent of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C by 2030. Deadline 2 May.
Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes: 2025 update – GOV.UK
Defra Land Use Consultation
Defra are launching “a national conversation about land use, to minimise trade-offs and optimise the use of our land” in advance of publishing a “Land Use Framework” and are consulting on their vision and how to deliver it. Deadline 25 April.
Land Use Consultation – Defra – Citizen Space
