Aldringham cum Thorpe has become the latest location in East Suffolk to adopt a neighbourhood plan.
On 12 February, residents voted in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan being used to help decide planning applications in the area, with 94% of residents voting in favour.
Now following formal adoption by Full Council at its latest meeting on 25 February, the document which was developed by Aldringham cum Thorpe Parish Council will give the community a stronger say in how their community will be shaped in the future.
Cllr Mark Packard, East Suffolk Council's cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management, said:
“Aldringham cum Thorpe Parish Council has been engaging with residents living in Aldringham, Thorpeness and Sizewell to develop this neighbourhood plan since 2016, so it’s great to see this document being formally adopted and ready to guide future development in this area until 2036.
“The adoption of the Neighbourhood Plan is great news as it has increased the Parish Council’s eligibility for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding. This important revenue enables the delivery of key local projects and has already benefitted the community in the ongoing development of the new community hall. With ambitions to improve enhance public rights of way here, this extra funding will be welcomed by its residents and visitors.”
The Aldringham cum Thorpe Neighbourhood Plan outlines the vision for the future of the parish and sets out to protect and enhance the key services and facilities within the parish to support the needs of future generations, whilst also preserving the character of the parish.
The vision for Aldringham cum Thorpe is supported by a series of objectives. These objectives will be delivered through the Neighbourhood Plan policies, which are used to determine planning applications. Policies incorporate housing, large scale energy project mitigation, landscape and ecology, drainage and flooding, heritage, design, accessibility and connectivity, car parking, leisure and recreation, community facilities, local green spaces and business and employment development.