ipswich.gov.uk

Policy CS6: The Ipswich Policy Area

The plan is unsound because it is not based upon constructive cooperation that will address the unmet need of the HMA.

The policy states that the preparation of joint or aligned development plan documents is to be explored later in the plan period. We do not understand why this has to be later in the plan period or why this preparation has not occurred in advance of the finalisation of this plan. A more convincing policy might have stated that the authorities will embark upon an immediate and coordinated review of the collective plans of the HMA by 2015 with the process to be completed with new plans to be submitted for examination by 2020.

As the policy is currently worded there the councils would be under no compunction to do what they say. The inclusion of specific dates in the plan would place more pressure on the councils to do what they say.