East Suffolk Council
Residents to vote on Neighbourhood Plans
Residents in both Carlton Colville and Westerfield will be asked to decide whether the Neighbourhood Plan for their area should be used to determine future planning applications.
The Carlton Colville Neighbourhood Plan was prepared by Carlton Colville Town Council and contains a vision for Carlton Colville in 2036, which centres on delivering high quality development that meets local needs, protecting the historic built environment and ensuring ease of movement through walking and cycling to improve quality of life and sense of community. The vision for Carlton Colville is supported by a series of objectives which will be delivered through the Neighbourhood Plan policies, and these are used to determine planning applications. Policies cover design, safeguarding important views, walking and cycling, car parking, protecting and enhancing biodiversity, dark skies and the design of a proposed country park.
The Westerfield Neighbourhood Plan was prepared by Westerfield Parish Council and contains a vision for the future of Westerfield and sets out clear planning policies to 2036. The plan sets out two key aims, which are to preserve the rural feel of the village and strengthen its sense of community. The plan includes policies about landscape protection, local green spaces, important views, trees and hedgerows, design, artificial lighting, services and facilities and public rights of way.
When finalised, the Neighbourhood Plans will guide development in Carlton Colville and Westerfield respectively and will be required to be used by anyone making or deciding a planning application in the area.
The plans have already been through public consultations and independent examinations, which found both plans meet all legal requirements, subject to some modifications.
As a result, East Suffolk Council has concluded that both Neighbourhood Plans should proceed to referendum. The referendums will take place on Thursday 15May and will ask residents to vote on whether East Suffolk Council (and, in the case of Carlton Colville, the Broads Authority) should use the Carlton Colville and Westerfield Neighbourhood Plans to help determine planning applications in the neighbourhood area.
Cllr Mark Packard, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management said: “Neighbourhood planning enables residents to get directly involved in the future of their town or village, shaping where new development should be and providing guidance for what new developments should look like. I would encourage residents in Carlton Colville and Westerfield to take part in their respective referendum on 15 May.”
Residents living in the relevant neighbourhood areas and who are registered to vote can vote in the referendum. Photo identification is required to vote in these elections.
Copies of the Carlton Colville Neighbourhood Plan and information on the referendum is also available to view at Lowestoft Library or the Customer Services desk at Riverside in Lowestoft.
Copies of the Westerfield Neighbourhood Plan and information on the referendum is available to view at Kesgrave Library or the Council’s Customer Services Centre in Woodbridge.
If you have any questions about the Neighbourhood Plans, please call 01394 444557, email planningpolicy@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or write to East Suffolk Council, Planning Policy and Delivery Team (Neighbourhood Plans), Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0EQ.