Draft Sustainable Construction Supplementary Planning Document, Draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document and Draft Cycling and Walking Strategy

East Suffolk Council is inviting comments on three new planning policy documents:

• Sustainable Construction Supplementary Planning Document, consultation period: Monday 1^st November to 5pm on Monday 13^th December 2021.
• Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document, consultation period: Monday 1^st November to 5pm on Monday 13^th December 2021.
• Cycling and Walking Strategy, consultation period: Monday 1^st November to 5pm on Monday 10^th January 2022.

Sustainable Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

The Sustainable Construction SPD will provide guidance on the implementation of the Council’s Sustainable Construction planning policies and other planning policies related to mitigating the impact of climate change. The draft SPD addresses a range of topics including energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, waste and use of materials.

The SPD has been drafted following an initial consultation on the proposed scope and content held in March and April 2021. A Consultation Statement has been published alongside the draft SPD which explains how the comments received have been taken into account in drafting the SPD.

Upon adoption the SPD will replace the following existing guidance document:

• Renewable Energy and Sustainable Construction SPD (September 2013, which relates to the former Waveney area).

Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

The Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) will provide guidance on the implementation of the Council’s planning policies related to affordable housing.  The draft SPD covers a range of matters including types of affordable housing, identifying an appropriate mix of affordable housing, the design of affordable housing, legal agreements and carrying out local housing needs assessments.

The SPD has been drafted following an initial consultation that was held in November and December 2020 under which views were sought on the scope and content of the SPD. A Consultation Statement has been published alongside the draft SPD which explains how the comments received have been taken into account in drafting the SPD. 

Upon adoption the SPD will replace the following existing guidance documents:

• Supplementary Planning Guidance 2 Affordable Housing (July 2004) – this relates to the former Suffolk Coastal area, and;
• Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (May 2012) – this relates to the former Waveney local planning authority area.

Cycling and Walking Strategy

We are also preparing guidance on the Cycling and Walking Strategy, which identifies potential cycling and walking infrastructure opportunities across the district. It provides context and information to support detailed infrastructure proposals. The draft Strategy has been informed by an initial consultation that was held October- December 2020, and includes:

• Key Corridors - Key routes between, and through, settlements;
• Local Plan Site Allocation Recommendations - Recommendations for Local Plan site allocations;
• Community Recommendations - Recommendations submitted to the Council as part of the initial consultation.

Once adopted, the Strategy will replace the Waveney Cycle Strategy (2016).

Consultation information

To view and respond to the consultation material, including supporting information, please visit www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-policy-consultations.

The documents available as part of the consultation are:

• Draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document and supporting documents (Initial Consultation Statement, Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Opinion, Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Assessment and Equalities Impact Assessment Screening Opinion);
• Draft Sustainable Construction Supplementary Planning Document and supporting documents (Initial Consultation Statement, Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Opinion, Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Assessment and Equalities Impact Assessment Screening Opinion);
• Draft Cycling and Walking Strategy and supporting documents (Initial Consultation Statement, Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Opinion, Draft Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Assessment, Equalities Impact Assessment Screening Opinion).

If you are unable to submit comments online you can email your response to planningpolicy@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or write to us at East Suffolk Council, Planning Policy and Delivery Team, Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0EQ.

Paper copies of the draft Supplementary Planning Documents and Draft Cycling and Walking Strategy, and accompanying Consultation Statements, have been made available at all libraries in the district and in the Council’s Customer Service Centres at the Marina Centre, Lowestoft, NR32 1HH; Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge, IP12 1DT; and Felixstowe Library, Crescent Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7BY, for inspection during opening hours. For information on all library opening hours please see www.suffolklibraries.co.uk and for information on the Council’s Customer Service Centre opening hours please see www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/contact-us/customer-services/.

Due to the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, if you are unable to view these documents online, at a library or in the Customer Service Centres, please contact us for assistance by emailing planningpolicy@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or calling 01394 444557. Please note that if you wish to contact us via telephone, we are currently operating under a voicemail service. Please leave a message including your contact details and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Opinions that accompany each consultation document can also be requested by email or in hard copy by emailing or phoning the Planning Policy and Delivery Team on the contact details above.

The provisions above may be subject to review should there be any changes to national restrictions related to the pandemic.

Please submit any comments on the Draft Sustainable Construction Supplementary Planning Document and Draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document by 5pm on Monday 13^th December 2021 and any comments on the Draft Cycling and Walking Strategy by 5pm on Monday 10^th January 2022.

All comments received will be considered and taken into account when finalising the documents.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Planning Policy and Delivery Team on the contact details above should you have any queries.

Your sincerely,

Andrea McMillan | Principal Planner (Policy and Delivery)
East Suffolk Council