Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils commissioned LUC to support their development plan process by preparing a heritage impact assessment (HIA) for site allocations in their Joint Local Plan. Historic England consultation found gaps in the evidence base, raising concerns of the soundness of the allocations relating to the historic environment. The Councils commissioned a full review and reassessment of the evidence base for the historic environment of the districts. LUC objectively assessed the sites to help ensure the sustainable allocation of new development.

A high-level rapid review of all 316 potential site allocations to identify higher risk sites unsuitable for allocation came first. Subsequently, we took 13 sites forward for more detailed assessment. We established a study area around each site to identify all assets that had the potential to be affected by the development of the site, either physically or through setting change.

We appraised each assets' heritage significance and assessed potential effects on that significance upon site development. Following this, we outlined options for sustainable development using mapping diagrams to lay out key constraints and opportunities relating to the historic environment.

The work informs Joint Local Plan allocations by providing a sound evidence base to help the Councils make balanced decisions. LUC's recommendations have brought some difficult sites forward and helped the Councils achieve sustainable development objectives.

It also provides a baseline assessment for hundreds of sites in the districts that will be a sound starting point to help their planning services make initial judgements on the acceptability of sites should any of them come forward outside of the Joint Local Plan Process.