Preparing a New Local Plan in East Suffolk
Local Plan Scoping Consultation on what matters most
This Notice is published under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 (Regulation 20(1)(b)).
Consultation period
The consultation opens Wednesday 10 June and closes 5pm Wednesday 29 July 2026.
Consultation matters
This consultation is seeking views on:
- Matters relevant to the preparation of the local plan, including what the plan should contain, and
- How we should engage with you in preparing the local plan.
How to view the consultation materials
- On the East Suffolk Council website (including Frequently asked questions);
- At East Suffolk Council Customer Service Centres – please note that where these are within a library it is available at the library desk;
- At libraries within East Suffolk.
How to respond
- Complete the online questionnaire
- Email your response to the Planning Policy team;
- Post your response to Planning Policy and Delivery Team, East Suffolk Council, Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ.
Responses must be received by 5pm Wednesday 29 July 2026.
Copies of the consultation documentation including questionnaire can be made available on request, in accordance with the Council’s fees and charges for Planning documents. Documents can be provided free of charge for anyone unable to access them in other ways. Please email the Planning Policy team or call 01394 444557.
Request to be notified
You can request to be notified of the any of the following stages:
- Public consultation on the proposed local plan content and evidence.
Regulation 23(1)(b); - The publication of observations or advice received from a person appointed by the Secretary of State. This is also known as Gateway 2.
Section 15CA(5) of the Act; - Public consultation on the proposed local plan.
Regulation 27(1)(b); - Submission of the proposed local plan to the Secretary of State for independent examination.
Section 15D(1) of the Act; - Publication of the date, time and place of the examination hearings and the name of the Examiner.
Regulation 35(2) and 35(1)(a). - If the examination is paused by the Examiner for further work to be carried out.
Section 15D(7) and 15DA of the Act. - The publication of a document and any evidence sent to the Examiner and/or published whilst the Examination is paused
Section 15DA(7) and 15DA(6) of the Act. - The publication of the Examiner’s recommendations and reasons.
Section 15D or 15DA of the Act. - The adoption of the local plan.
Part 2 of the Act.
Regulations refer to Town and Country Planning (Local Planning)(England) Regulations 2026.
The Act refers to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended).
If you wish to be notified at these stages, please sign up to our Local Plan and Planning Policy mailing list. If you wish to be notified for a selection of these stages, please email the Planning Policy team or write to us at Planning Policy and Delivery Team, East Suffolk Council, Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ.
Please note: We are also consulting on the ‘Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report’ until 29 July 2026. Further information can be found on our new Local Plan webpage.