East Suffolk Council
Have your say on a new planning document
East Suffolk residents are invited to have their say on a new planning document covering small-scale residential development in the countryside.
A consultation on the draft Housing in Clusters and Small-Scale Residential Development in the Countryside Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which provides guidance on the development of small-scale housing of up to five dwellings, begins on Friday 17 June.
The Suffolk Coastal Local Plan and the Waveney Local Plan each contain a policy which allows for a limited amount of new housing in the countryside. The Housing in Clusters and Small-Scale Residential Development in the Countryside SPD provides further guidance on the application of these policies:
- Policy SCLP5.4 Housing in Clusters in the Countryside (Suffolk Coastal Local Plan, 2020)
- Policy WLP8.7 Small Scale Residential Development in the Countryside (Waveney Local Plan, 2019)
The draft SPD covers a range of topics including an outline of the necessary characteristics for sites to be appropriate for development, considerations on the potential impact on character of the area, the requirements for public engagement and how these policies relate to other policies in the Local Plans.
Cllr David Ritchie, Cabinet Member for Planning and Coastal Management said: “We welcome any feedback on this new Supplementary Planning Document which will enable us to make decisions on future developments in rural areas.”
Comments on the Draft Housing in Clusters and Small-Scale Residential Development in the Countryside Supplementary Planning Document must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 5 August 2022.
View and comment on this consultation.
Comments can also be emailed to planningpolicy@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or sent to East Suffolk Council, Planning Policy and Delivery Team, Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0EQ.
Paper copies of the draft Supplementary Planning Document and accompanying Consultation Statement have been made available for inspection at all libraries in the district and the Council’s Customer Service Centres. For information on locations and opening hours please see www.suffolklibraries.co.uk and www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/contact-us/customer-services/.
All comments received will be considered and taken into account when finalising the Housing in Clusters and Small-Scale Residential Development in the Countryside SPD, which will be adopted later in 2022. Once adopted, the SPD will be a material consideration in determining planning applications.