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. Public hearing sessions were held in November 2024 and again 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.

For further information about this consultation please see the dedicated page for frequently asked questions:

• link: Frequently asked questions

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 report addendum - Ashfield Local Plan 2023 to 2024: Main Modifications consultation (May 2024)
• document: MOD.004 Habitat regulations assessment (HRA) of the main Modifications (May 2026)

Further to the Main Modifications, the Council have proposed a number of Additional Modifications which relate to points of clarification, factual updates and typographical or grammatical errors.

To assist in understanding where the Main Modifications and Additional Modifications are proposed, the Council have also prepared a tracked change version of the Submission Local Plan and a revised version of the Policies Maps. These documents have been published for completeness, however, please note they are for information purposes only and do not form part of the formal consultation.

• document: Ashfield Local Plan 2023 to 2040: Regulation 19 Pre-Submission Draft with Main Modifications
• document: MOD.006 – Additional Modifications Schedule
• document: MOD.007a – Revised Local Plan Policies Map North
• document: MOD.007b – Revised Local Plan Policies Map South

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.

The consultation is confined to comments on the Main Modifications. It is not an opportunity to re-state points previously made (these have been considered by the Inspectors during the Examination process), to raise new representations to the submitted Ashfield Local Plan 2023 to 2040, or to seek further changes to that document.

Consultation period

The consultation will run from Wednesday 17 June to Thursday 30 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

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.

Those who wish to make comments are encouraged to do so electronically either through the online form or by email. Paper copies of the representation form are available from the Council Offices, Selston Parish Hall and local libraries in Hucknall, Kirkby and Sutton. A paper copy can also be provided on request by contacting the Forward Planning Team.

A guidance note on how to complete the representation form is available in the related documents section of this page. 

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 must be received by 5pm on 30 July 2026. Any received will be submitted to the appointed Planning Inspectors for their consideration.

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

• link: Statement of community involvement

Contact details

Forward planning

• link: Contact planning
• email: localplan@ashfield.gov.uk
• telephone: 01623 457302
• address: Ashfield District Council
  Council Offices
  Urban Road
  Kirkby in Ashfield
  Nottinghamshire
  NG17 8DA