East Suffolk Council
Three neighbourhood plans adopted
Neighbourhood plans covering three areas in East Suffolk have been formally adopted.
Plans for Saxmundham, Rushmere St Andrew and, Shadingfield, Sotterley, Willingham and Ellough have all been formally adopted by East Suffolk Council.
The Rushmere St Andrew and Shadingfield, Sotterley, Willingham and Ellough Neighbourhood Plans were adopted at a Full Council meeting on 28 June, with the Saxmundham Neighbourhood Plan adopted on 26 July. These three plans will now form part of the development plan for East Suffolk and will influence future planning applications within each neighbourhood plan area.
A neighbourhood plan gives communities the opportunity to shape development within their local areas. Neighbourhood plans are based on extensive public consultation to ensure that residents have their say on how development will take place. Plans are subject to a local referendum to ensure public support before being adopted by East Suffolk Council.
Referendums for Rushmere St Andrew and, Shadingfield, Sotterley, Willingham and Ellough took place on 4 May and for Saxmundham on 29 June.
Cllr Kay Yule, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management said: “Neighbourhood planning gives residents the opportunity to get directly involved in shaping their local areas, determining the location of any new development, and providing guidance for how new buildings should look. Through the hard work of these communities, these three newly adopted plans will now be required to be used by anyone making or deciding a planning application in these areas.”
Five neighbourhood plans have now been made this year, following the adoption of both the Halesworth and Oulton plans in February.
The plans can also be viewed at libraries and the Council’s Customer Services desks local to each Neighbourhood Plan area.