Main modifications consultation

Ashfield Local Plan 2023 to 2040: Main modifications consultation

The Ashfield Local Plan (the Plan) sets out the spatial planning and policy framework for Ashfield District up to 2040. The Plan is at an advanced stage following several rounds of consultation and was submitted to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination in April 2024. The examination hearings took place between November 2025 and January 2026.

As part of this examination process, the independent Local Plan Inspectors have identified Main Modifications that they consider necessary to ensure the Plan is legally compliant and sound. Only the Inspectors can identify Main Modifications.

Documents

The Council is now consulting on the following documents:

• document: MOD.001 Main modifications schedule
• document: MOD.002 Policies map modifications schedule
• document: MOD.003 Sustainability appraisal
• document: MOD.004 Habitat regulations assessment

To help understand the content of the Main modifications schedule the Council have published the Plan with Main modifications for information only.

• document: MOD.005 Ashfield Local Plan 2023 to 20240: Main modifications

The Council have also published additional (minor) modifications which relate to points of clarification, factual updates and typographical or grammatical errors. The examination of the Plan does not consider these additional modifications; these have been published for completeness only.

• document: MOD.006 Additional modifications schedule

This consultation is seeking comments on the Main modifications, Policies map modifications, Sustainability appraisal and Habitats regulations assessment where they relate to the Main modifications.

Comments made in response to previous consultations on the Plan do not need to be re-submitted. These have been considered by the Inspectors during the Examination process.

Consultation period

The consultation will run for a 6 week period between Tuesday 26 May to 5.00pm Wednesday 8 July 2026.

Representations received after this time will not be accepted. Comments made in response to previous consultations on the Local Plan do not need to be re-submitted. These have been considered by the Inspectors during the Examination process.

Making a representation

Each representor should complete Parts A and B of the consultation form. Part A is to provide personal details and Part B should be completed for each comment being made. This should identify which Main modification the representation refers to. The guidance notes provide more information about how to complete the form.

The representation form can be completed online or you can download the representation form from the list of documents on this page.

Paper copies of the representation form will be available from the Council offices and local libraries. A paper copy can also be provided on request by contacting the Forward Planning Team.

Representations can be submitted through the following methods:

• email:localplans@ashfield.gov.uk
• link: online form
• post: Forward Planning Team, Ashfield District Council, Urban Road, Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8DA.

Please note that your representation will be publicly available, and a copy will be published on the Council’s website following the end of the consultation. Your representations and name/name of your organisation will be published, but other personal information will remain confidential. Data will be processed and held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

A privacy notice with further information can be found at:

• link: Privacy notice

All representations received by 5pm on the 8 July 2026 on the Main modifications and associated documents will be submitted to the Local Plan Planning Inspectors.

The Council have produced a Statement of community involvement which sets out the procedures and availability of documents.

• link: Statement of community involvement

Consultation documents

• document: Main modifications guidance notes
• document: Main modifications representation form

Contact details

Forward planning

• link: Contact planning
• email: localplan@ashfield.gov.uk
• telephone: 01623 457382
• address: Ashfield District Council
  Council Offices
  Urban Road
  Kirkby in Ashfield
  Nottinghamshire
  NG17 8DA