To help protect the character and appearance of some of the district’s conservation areas, East Suffolk Council, as a local planning authority, has increased planning controls through the application of Article 4 Directions. A list of conservation areas where these have been applied is below. These directions make further restrictions on permitted development rights to change residential (only) properties. Planning permission is consequently required to make any change of design or material to any part of the property facing what is called a ‘relevant location’ – that is, a public thoroughfare, defined as a highway, waterway or open space.
Over 300 Suffolk businesses took part in the first ever Suffolk Growth annual survey, providing valuable information which will shape future programmes of business support.
We are working to meet the challenge of reducing airborne pollutants PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 set by the Government, but success will also require a concerted public effort with each person doing their bit by active travel planning and reducing the reliance on the motor car for travel. This will have other additional benefits as participants will be fitter and healthier by choosing to walk or cycle more regularly and, of course, increased enjoyment of the wonderful East Suffolk landscape.
To meet national air quality objectives, local authorities must regularly review and assess air quality in their areas. If a location is found where the objectives are not being achieved, the local authority must declare the area as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and develop an Air Quality Action Plan to reduce air pollution.
In 2011 East Suffolk Council began monitoring for the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide (from vehicle exhausts) on the A12 at Little Glemham, Farnham and Stratford St. Andrew. The results indicated that the site at Stratford St. Andrew (Long Row, The Street), measuring an annual mean NO2 concentration of 43.3µg/m3, was above the national Air Quality Strategy (AQS) objective – set at 40µg/m3. Additional monitoring was undertaken on the A12 in Stratford St. Andrew which confirmed the exceedance at Long Row. All other locations monitored on the A12 were within the AQS objective.