Notes from Virtual Zoom Meeting of EBNP Group on 10/04/2026
Attendees
Nigel Roberts, Chair
Andrea Long, CompassPoint Planning
Sallie Davies
John Lyall
Brian Matthews
Chris Tuppen
Apologies
Joan Miller
Rachel Leggett
1. Update on EBNP Draft February 2025.
Some updating and editing of the “travelling draft” its text and policies will be
necessary to reflect changes to some technical regulations and standards in the last
year, also changes in NPPF, changes in B&MS JLP status, local consent orders in
respect of listed buildings, and revised / ongoing housing allocations, and their
published Call for Sites. There have also been changes in EB, in the village centre,
initiatives on Road Safety, the Red Lion, and progress on extending the CA
boundary. All will need to be reflected.
ACTION Andrea Long to review her latest draft and update accordingly with input
from the Group over the next 6-8 weeks. A zoom meeting in the first part of May will
be scheduled as part of this process.
2 Changes to National and Local Context.
As well as impacting the draft as in 1 above, a template for
Development Plan Management Policies will be set nationally. Basic
Conditions have also changed, so NPs are no longer required to show outright
conformity with the LP, but NP policies should not obstruct adopted LP policies. In
EB’s case this is unlikely to apply until a LP exists Also there are changes to wording
of Sustainability requirements, in having regard to local nature recovery and climate
change. Also bio diversity net gain will not in future apply to the smallest
developments. So appropriate drafting on all the above will be necessary to ensure a
sound NP ACTION Andrea Long to review and advise / adopt changes as necessary.
3. Housing Allocations and Sites
In the absence of any clarity on the practical transition process to 3 new unitaries in
Suffolk, which LPA will be the one approving our EBNP, and with no LP to guide
strategic housing allocations due any time soon, we agreed we had no choice but to
deliver our own well reasoned case for which sites and how many homes can be
justified in EB over the plan period. This case will be based on our assessment of
need, the constraints in EB (landscape designations, site availability, the capacity of
the village to absorb any more large estates) and how we want EB to evolve as a
vibrant village catering for the needs of its residents. The case will need to be
punchy, clear, evidence based and made with strong arguments. We have already
made some progress in the draft Housing Position Paper on the ingredients of our
case, but the devil will be in the detail.
It was agreed that the 3 sites (32 homes) in the NP Draft Feb 2025 should remain
and the deliverability of each will ideally be confirmed with the land owners.
It was also agreed that the 3 fields off the B1070 which were put forward in
Babergh’s call for sites at end of 2025 should also be included. These we understand
are likely to be subject to a Pre App in May 2026 and the sites offer the EBNP the
opportunity to help support Babergh’s new housing targets and include proposals for
community facilities alongside additional housing. This will require working with the
promoter and potentially Babergh to determine the scheme’s feasibility, it’s mix and
the overall allocation to include in the NP with phasing as appropriate.
ACTION Sallie Davies to progress a dialogue with the three sites’ promoter
4 Conservation Area.
A CA Appraisal was undertaken by HCUK in close liaison with BDC and the Parish in
2025/26. It sets out the case for extending the boundary of the existing CA and
Babergh will manage a four week formal consultation period on the proposed
boundary change commencing on 11 May 2026. Babergh will then evaluate
consultee responses and plans to submit their report and recommendations to full
council on 21 July 2026.
ACTION Andrea Long to fully incorporate the extended CA boundary and it’s
implications into the Draft NP as appropriate.
5 AOB
Sallie Davies asked about including a PACE ( EB Futures) related bio
diversity action plan for EB in the Plan to support the wider Babergh initiative .
It was agreed this could be referenced as part of the local nature recovery text
but was a Project so would be kept distinct from the policy focussed NP
review.
> 6. Next Steps and timetable up to Reg 14 Consultation.
Aim for September 2026 for Reg 14 Consultation.
Detailed editing and final drafting in August 2026 Incorporate CA
changes in July 2026 Work with promoter of B1070 three fields site
from now ( April 2026) and firm up NP allocations and associated
housing chapter text to fully justify our approach by July/ August
2026 Tidy up existing draft to reflect the full gamut of contextual
changes required during April / May 2026 Next progress Zoom meeting to
be arranged for first half of May 2026