Planning policy and local plans

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Supplementary Planning Documents and other guidance

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A new Local Plan for East Suffolk
East Suffolk Council is beginning work on a new Local Plan for East Suffolk. The new Local Plan will set out how and where development, including new homes, employment land and infrastructure, should take place up until at least 2044 and will replace the existing Suffolk Coastal and Waveney Local Plans. Call for sites open from Monday 20 October 2025 to Friday 9 January 2026. To be kept up to date on the latest news or any public consultations, please join the planning policy and local plans mailing list.

East Suffolk Council is beginning work on a new Local Plan for East Suffolk. The new Local Plan will set out how and where development, including new homes, employment land and infrastructure, should take place up until at least 2044 and will replace the existing Suffolk Coastal and Waveney Local Plans.

Call for sites open from Monday 20 October 2025 to Friday 9 January 2026.

To be kept up to date on the latest news or any public consultations, please join the planning policy and local plans mailing list.

How to involve you in planning policy - survey results
We recently asked our communities for feedback on the planning policy consultation process, and the methods we use to reach you and collect your views. View survey results to see a quick-read summary of what you told us.

Join the planning policy and local plans mailing list

East Suffolk is covered by the East Suffolk Council – Suffolk Coastal Local Plan and the East Suffolk Council – Waveney Local Plan. These cover the former Suffolk Coastal and Waveney districts.

The Broads Authority Local Plan covers the Broads Authority area in the north of the district. This is produced by the Broads Authority. The Suffolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan is also used in decision making.

The Local Plans set out how the area should be developed. They contain policies which the council uses when making decisions on planning applications. Neighbourhood Plans, once made, also form part of the development plan for the district. Supplementary Planning Documents provide further guidance on planning policies.

Development is also guided by the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Practice Guidance.

The statement of community involvement and local development scheme set out how and when people can get involved and the timetable for Local Plan preparation.

Ongoing joint working in relation to cross-boundary matters takes place through the Ipswich Strategic Planning Area board.

East Suffolk Council