Petitions

I am a Trimley St Martin resident, and I live quite near the proposed development north of Heathfields in Trimley St Martin. Across Felixstowe, and in Trimley in particular, large areas of land are being built on by developers. Our town and villages are being sold off piecemeal to the highest bidders. Many of these developments are already approved, and residents have little power to challenge them. However, we still have an opportunity to protect Trimley St Martin from further overdevelopment.

Like many others in our village, I am deeply concerned about the proposed construction of 64 new homes on the land north of the Heathfields site, right next to the allotments. Based on both my own experience and that of my neighbours, this development risks creating serious and lasting problems that will affect not only our quality of life but also the character of our community.

Trimley St Martin has already experienced significant overdevelopment without the necessary investment in infrastructure. Hundreds of new homes have been built in recent years, yet local services have not kept pace. Our schools are at capacity and access to GPs and dentists is extremely limited - we don't even have a true village shop in Trimley St Martin! The addition of 64 more homes, and the hundreds of residents they will bring, will place further strain on already overstretched services.
The proposed development also raises serious concerns about traffic and road safety. The same site was rejected for development in the 80s due to inadequate access, and nothing has changed - if anything, the situation has worsened. Local roads are already under significant pressure from increased traffic and on-street parking. The plans suggest access via a single residential road not designed to support the volume of traffic associated with a development of this scale. This will lead to congestion, traffic, and a heightened risk of accidents. It also raises practical concerns about access for emergency and refuse vehicles. With potentially multiple cars per new household, it is unclear how safe and reliable access can be maintained for drivers and pedestrians alike.

As a disabled resident, I already experience difficulty finding safe and suitable on-street parking near my home due to this sort of congestion. This situation has worsened significantly following recent developments in the area. Additional housing will inevitably exacerbate these issues, and the planning application does not detail a proportional increase in on-street parking bays. This will only further reduce accessibility and safety for residents.

There are also clear concerns regarding safety infrastructure. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service have indicated that the current plans do not meet minimum fire safety guidelines, including the provision of adequate emergency water supply. This raises serious questions about whether the development is being designed with appropriate safety standards in place.

Residents have already endured years of disruption from ongoing construction across Trimley and Felixstowe. Noise, air pollution, road closures, and increased traffic have had a cumulative impact on the wellbeing of the community. This development would extend the disruption for much longer, and continue the dismantling of the rural character of Trimley St Martin. Once a quiet village, it is increasingly being urbanised and absorbed into Felixstowe and Ipswich. The site itself too has been identified as having significant archaeological potential but has not been fully investigated, risking the loss of undiscovered heritage. The proposed site is directly next door to an existing allotment site; although I do not have an allotment at the parish Trimley St Martin site, I do have a plot at Cowpasture allotments in Felixstowe - I know many people use their allotments not only to grow produce but to encourage wildlife and pollinators to the area. A development of this scale right next door to the allotments will not only threaten the peace and productivity of the allotmenteers, but also the wildlife that many of us strive to support on our plots. In addition, recent developments have already had a visible impact on local wildlife, with habitat loss and increased road traffic leading to injury and death among animals. Further expansion will only intensify this harm to both our human and non-human residents.

Most residents are not opposed to all development. There is a clear need for genuinely affordable and social housing in Suffolk. However, developments of this kind too often fail to meet those needs as developers find loopholes and fail to meet targets, prioritising profit over people.

We must call for sustainable, responsible development that respects both the environment and the needs of existing residents - and if that can't be achieved, then we mustn't let this development progress. Please join us in opposing the proposed development on land north of Heathfields.

Petition – received 20 January 2026

The Carousel in Lowestoft has been more than just a pub; it is a cornerstone of our community, a place where families and friends gather, connect, and unwind. For the past two years, I have dedicated my heart and soul into transforming The Carousel, striving to eradicate the negative reputation it carried from previous ownership. I've invested every bit of my earnings from last year into installing new electrics and renovating the downstairs area to open up a function room – all with the sole aim of creating a welcoming and vibrant space for our community.

Now, we are facing the dire threat of closure, with plans to convert this cherished establishment into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). This is due to decisions from East Suffolk Council and possibly swayed by negative portrayals in the media. These accusations against our licensing are unfounded and deeply distressing, as many of our regular patrons can attest to the genuine efforts made in crafting a safe and enjoyable environment.

In an era where community spaces are rapidly dwindling, transforming The Carousel into an HMO takes away an essential venue for social interaction, a place that many consider a home away from home. Pubs like ours are not merely businesses; they are social lifelines, providing residents with a space to relax and forge lasting bonds.

Evidence highlights the growing concerns in many communities regarding social isolation. Venues such as The Carousel offer crucial support and social opportunities, which cannot be replicated elsewhere. Converting our pub into an HMO only adds to the problem rather than providing solutions.

Therefore, I call upon East Suffolk Council and the community of Lowestoft to reconsider the decision to close The Carousel. We need to stop this transformation and preserve our beloved pub as a vital community hub. Let us show that we value our local social spaces and the pivotal role they play in our lives.

As at 26 January 2026 - 298 signatures received.

Council’s response letter.

Petition - received 8 May 2025

Subject of petition: Change Southwold Beach Dog Ban to 1 May

Currently Dogs are banned on Southwold beach from 1 April each year, whereas every other beach in Suffolk is 1 May. If you would like to see the ban brought in line with every other beach in Suffolk to 1 May, please sign this petition, as next week on 6 May it is up for review with the Council. Why should Southwold be any different from the rest of the county?

Let's extend our dogs walkies by 1 month a year! Please sign and share. We need more signatures, please share with all your contact lists and let's get this on the councils agenda.

As at 1 July 2025 – 1,327 signatures received.

This petition will be considered at the Full Council meeting on 16 July 2025.

Meeting papers for the Full Council meeting on 16 July 2025.

Petition - received 18 February 2025

Subject of petition: Stop East Suffolk council from parking charges increase

East Suffolk District Council's decision to raise parking charges over 100% has led to a number of residents and businesses, particularly those reliant on the visitor economy, worrying about the impact on their viability.

A two-hour stay near the beach will rise from £1.50 to £4.00, a four-hour stay will go from £3.00 to £6.00, and an all-day stay will increase from £4.00 to £8.00.

I recognise the huge financial pressures faced by the District Council, but it’s frustrating that there was no consultation with local businesses and residents to understand how to mitigate the impact of these changes.

I have started this petition to show the council what impact it has on businesses and residents and reconsider

As at 18 February 2025 – 2,149 signatures received.

This petition will be considered at the Full Council meeting on 19 March 2025.

Meeting papers for the Full Council meeting on 19 March 2025.

Petition - received 28 May 2024

Subject of petition: Save the Grove Eastward Ho Playing Fields and the Surrounding Area

According to your latest plan proposals for the North Felixstowe Development, apart from building around Grove Woodlands as well as on adjacent farmlands, Eastward Ho playing fields are going to be redeveloped to allow 125 homes to be built there (this is the proposed building on stable land and Eastward Ho only). Your lead mission statement says "leisure led development comprising green infrastructure, community facilities". I can't help thinking that this is marketing speak for destroying what is already a well-known location that is leisure led, comprising green infrastructure.

What Eastward Ho desperately needs is improved changing rooms for teams, and improved facilities for groundsman. Improved drainage (something that new building rarely helps with). The neglected children's play area also needs renovating. These are factors that should be looked at before destroying local green space. Eastward Ho doesn’t need making smaller when the town is growing (two new developments already built and a third underway) - the town needs to keep its large open areas for families and public to meet and play without having to prebook or spend money to access playing fields.

We all are regular users of the Eastward Ho playing fields for kickabouts, kite flying, games, picnics, and using the play area and outdoor gym.

Surely any development should focus on brownfield and then private land / farmland before destroying one of the towns few public access playing fields with full size football pitches and other leisure offerings.

Save our playing fields from any devlopment!

As at 8 June 2024 - 4,261 signatures received.

This petition will be considered at the Full Council meeting on 24 July 2024. 

Agenda and meeting papers.