Planning

Members of the Society’s Planning Group, led by Phil Cobbold, attend meetings of the local and Suffolk Coastal Planning meetings. The Society gives its informed views on planning applications to local and Suffolk Coastal Councillors.

If you are interested in knowing how to comment on a planning application, read on……………

 A couple of points to bear in mind:
 All comments on planning applications are in the ʻPublic Domainʼ and will be seen by others including the applicant and agent.
 
 The following are NOT planning issues
  •  Loss of view or views
  • Financial impact on surrounding properties
  • Personal circumstances (unless the planning arguments are finely balanced)
  • You are a long standing resident
  • Safety of construction (however, we have found it is sometimes worth mentioning local ground conditions which may not be known at the local  council level)
 
The following ARE planning issues
  •  Past history including appeal decisions
  • National and Local Regional Planning Policies
  • Loss of light
  • Highway and traffic implications
  • Light and noise pollution
  • Local amenities
  • Impact on flora and fauna (endangered species)
  • Visual Impact on built or country environment (including impact on near properties or the street scene)
 
 Submitting Comments
  •  Submit your comments in time. There is a date given on the application, usually 21 working days to meet a statutory requirement.
  •  If you are objecting, be aware that your comments will mean the application will have to be decided by committee.
  •  If your comments are going to arrive after the Case Officer has prepared his report, consider sending them to all members of the appropriate committee with a suitable covering letter.
  •  It is also a good idea to send your comments to your local town councillor so they are aware that the planning application may have some effects that are not necessarily obvious to the Town or Suffolk Coastal District Councils.
 
Your Comments
    • Quote the application number and address to the Head of Division.
    • Have you examined the site?
    • List any factual errors.
    • Quote any relevant policies (if known) and any relevant history.
    • Clearly identify your planning concerns.
    • Clearly identify any concerns on design, materials and specify any changes you would like to see. (Remember to keep your comments or objections factual and not emotional).
    • Not all your comments should be negative. If you like only some parts of the proposal it is acceptable to only object to those parts you find unacceptable. It is always useful if you can suggest alternatives to either the whole application or the part to which you have objected.
    • The Society suggests that every member of The Felixstowe Society keeps a close watch on their immediate area and if they see any planning notices displayed and they have concerns, they should write a letter explaining their concerns to:

Mr P J Ridley,Head of Planning Services, 

Suffolk Coastal District Council,

Melton Hill,

Woodbridge IP12 1AU.