FOREWORD

Following adoption of the Local Plan review in February 2017, the Council has been cooperating in the production of an aligned local plan with the Councils that adjoin the borough boundaries and share in the same housing market with the town. The Council maintains the belief that the planning of our town is one of our key roles and as such we are, once again, pleased to set out our vision, objectives and strategy for the future development of Ipswich. It is vital that we maintain up to date policies that conform with national guidance so that we can protect and enhance the town's key assets. We continue to work for the town's future and seek to manage changes that benefit the town's existing residents, businesses and visitors.

This is a review of the Council's Core Strategy and Policies document which sets our policies for the future development of the town and forms part of the Ipswich Local Plan. The new Plan will cover the period from 2018 to 2036, which takes key national guidance from the 2019 National Planning Policy Framework into account.

The national challenges facing us in the delivery of housing and in our town centres means that this local plan has increased importance as the key strategy document that will help shape our response. We look forward to working with our partners to implement the strategy contained within this document. Accompanying this consultation document, a Site Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document adds site-specific detail to the strategy.

To find out more please see the Council's website www.ipswich.gov.uk/localplan or contact the Planning Policy team at the Council via planningpolicy@ipswich.gov.uk or telephone number 01473 432019.

Councillor Carole Jones

Portfolio Holder for Planning & Museums

January 2020