The first step towards an independent planning inspector’s
thorough investigation of Suffolk Coastal’s recently agreed Core
Strategy, part of its Local Development Framework (LDF), occurs
this week when residents are invited to comment on its
‘soundness’.
Suffolk Coastal’s Full Council voted in December to approve the
LDF’s Core Strategy, which sets out how future development in the
district should be controlled over the next two decades.
“We have had to carefully balance our district’s two great
advantages of a vibrant economy and of being, because of its
natural environment and the ‘quality of place’ of our towns and
villages, one of the most attractive places in the country to live,
work and play,” said Cllr Andy Smith, Cabinet Member for
Planning.
“We have been working for 10 years to finalise a plan to
simultaneously enhance these two advantages. Our Core Strategy has
stringent rules and policies to safeguard our environment with
sufficient measures to ensure we have the good quality developments
we need in the future, without threatening what makes our district
so special.
“We have a blueprint for the future that will carefully balance
the need for the growth in homes and jobs needed to ensure a strong
modern local economy, against our commitment to protect our
splendid environment, both natural and built. The next stage is for
an examination of our policies in public by an independent planning
inspector, and the public can now flag up any relevant areas of
concern for consideration,” added Cllr Smith.
The Pre-submission Core Strategy and associated documents
are being officially published tomorrow (January 25) and the public
have six weeks until 5.15pm on Wednesday, March 7 to make comments
during what is formally called the publication period.
It is legally the opportunity for anyone who is satisfied or
dissatisfied with the document, which is formally titled
“Pre-Submission Core Strategy & Development Management Policies
Development Plan Document December 2011”, to make formal
representations to the inspector about its soundness.
The document sets out in strategic terms the Council’s overall
approach to future development for the period to 2027 and can be
seen at Melton Hill’s planning helpdesk during normal office hours,
at local libraries or on the Council’s website
www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/planning/review/corestrategy/presubmission/
Those making representations should explain whether they
consider the document to be ‘legally compliant’ and/or ‘sound’, or
otherwise, and the reasons for that view. It is recommended that
those wishing to make representations use the online comment system
http://suffolkcoastal.jdi-consult.net/ldf/
or the ‘representation form’, which along with guidance notes
(formally titled “The Statement of Representations Procedure”), can
be downloaded from the website, obtained from the planning
helpdesk, or by contacting the planning policy team on 01394
444761 or
development.policy@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
Before making representations people are recommended to read the
guidance notes on the Council’s website, which give the official
legal explanations of what is meant by Parliament’s definitions of
‘sound’. These can also be found in Planning Policy Statement 12
(PPS12), paragraphs 4.36 – 4.47, 4.51 and 4.52, which can be seen
on
www.communities.gov.uk
- search for “PPS12”.
“After this six week period, the document and the
representations received will be submitted for Examination in
Public, and the planning inspector appointed by the Government will
identify issues from those suggested for debate during sessions
open to the public.
“On completion of the Examination in Public, the inspector will
consider all of the written representations and evidence put
forward as part of the examination and will write a formal report,
which will determine whether the document has been found ‘sound’
and ‘legally compliant’ and will include recommendations for
possible changes. These are binding and the Core Strategy will be
amended accordingly before it is formally adopted,” added Cllr
Smith.