On Thursday 24th October 2019, Haughley Parish Neighbourhood Plan was finally “adopted” by Mid Suffolk District Council and is now one of the planning documents that all applications have to consider when submitted within the Neighbourhood Plan Area.
I congratulate all those involved: from my first mention at a Parish Council meeting to various Parish Council chairs taking it on and encouraging a very committed group in taking it to a conclusion.
It involved 1000s and 1000s of hours of volunteer time, yes some professionals involved as needs be, and paid for, but the majority of work is by calling on those in the parish to work together whether holding an exhibition, delivering leaflets, taking photos of key views, briefing professional bodies, drafting, checking and writing the plan.
It is a huge effort and this has finally paid off with the adoption of this plan.
It is also of great comfort to groups such as this to see Neighbourhood Planning Policy being taken into account at planning committees such as at the recent meeting on 16th October 2019 where an application was refused due to non-compliance.
Finally, thanks to all the officers concerned and I reiterate the point I have made at at least three Council meetings. We need more resource here at Mid Suffolk to support communities to bring their plans forward.
Once again, rail crossings in our area are threatened with closure. Three immediately around Haughley and Wetherden are at risk – two on the Ipswich to Bury line (on the Haughley Green to Haughley footpath and at Mutton Hall) and one on the Norwich line (at the Leggetts footpath just north of Haughley Green). A public consultation will soon be open so please register your views. From 14th June until 5th July you can go online at 
Rachel Eburne 