Proposed Submission Core Strategy and Policies Development Plan Document Review

(1) CHAPTER 4: The Duty to Co-operate

(1) 4.1 The Localism Act 2011 imposed on public bodies a 'Duty to Co-operate' on planning issues that cross administrative boundaries. It particularly applies in relation to strategic, cross-boundary issues, such as the provision of jobs and homes, retail, leisure and commercial development, the provision of infrastructure including transport and water, health and other community and cultural facilities, climate change mitigation and the conservation and enhancement of the natural and historic environment.

(2) 4.2 Local planning authorities must demonstrate at the Local Plan examination how they have complied with the Duty to Co-operate. If another authority will not co-operate, it does not mean a plan cannot be submitted for examination. However, it does mean that strong evidence would be needed of the efforts made to engage and reach agreement with that authority. The Duty to Co-operate should be reflected in strategic policy outcomes and not simply be a process of consultation.

4.3 Other bodies as prescribed by the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 are also covered by the Duty to Co-operate. They are as follows:

• Environment Agency
• English Heritage
• Natural England
• Civil Aviation Authority
• Homes and Communities Agency
• Clinical commissioning groups established under section 14D of the National Health Service Act 2006
• National Health Service Commissioning Board
• Office of Rail Regulation
• Highway Authority
• Marine Management Organisation.

(853) 4.4 For the Ipswich Local Plan, a Duty to Co-operate Statement has been prepared alongside the draft Core Strategy Review and the draft Site Allocations and Policies (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) development plan document. The Council is actively engaged with Suffolk County Council and the neighbouring district councils of Suffolk Coastal, Babergh and Mid Suffolk on strategic growth matters, through the Ipswich Policy Area Board. The Ipswich Policy Area is an area that has long been used for strategic planning purposes around Ipswich and consists of the Borough Council area plus a number of surrounding parishes. A map is provided at Appendix 3. Work being undertaken through the Ipswich Policy Area Board includes joint evidence gathering and also agreeing joint approaches to the scale and distribution of future growth, cross-boundary green infrastructure and strategic transport matters. Policy CS6 of the Core Strategy review sets out the Council's policy approach to the Ipswich Policy Area