Core Strategy & Development Management Policies
Planning Inspector backs Suffolk Coastal's Core Strategy - on 6 June 2013, Suffolk Coastal received official confirmation from the Planning Inspectorate that the Council's Core Strategy has been found to be 'sound', subject to the modifications proposed and discussed during the Examination process. You can read the Planning Inspector's report and the Council's press release by following the links below:
- Report on the Examination into Suffolk Coastal's Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (new window PDF 1.5MB).
- Read the press release: Planning Inspector backs Suffolk Coastal's Core Strategy.
An extraordinary meeting of Full Council will consider the adoption of the Suffolk Coastal Core Strategy and Development Management Policies document on Friday 5 July at 2pm in the Council Chamber at Melton Hill, Woodbridge.

The Core Strategy is the principal document in Suffolk Coastal's Local Development Framework (LDF) that sets out a vision, spatial strategy and core policies to guide development and change in the district to 2027 and beyond.
It has been developed after several years of consultation, discussion and debate, and thousands of comments from people across the district.
Submission to the Secretary of the State
The Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document was submitted to the Secretary of the State for Communities and Local Government on 8 May 2012. It is the first Development Plan Document (DPD) in the Council’s Local Development Framework to be submitted.
The documents submitted to the Secretary of the State include:
- Suffolk Coastal District Council submission letter - 8 May 2012.
- Pre-Submission Core Strategy & Development Management Policies DPD - December 2011.
- Sustainability Appraisal of Pre-Submission Core Strategy & Development Management Policies and appendices - November 2011.
- Appropriate Assessment for Suffolk Coastal Core Strategy & Development Management Policies - November 2011.
- Adopted Statement of Community Involvement - July 2006.
- Regulation 22 Statement of Compliance - May 2012.
- Regulation 27 Statement of Consultation (complies with new Regulation 22) - January 2012.
- Copies of all the duly made representations submitted to the Core Strategy and Policies proposed submission consultation under Regulation 20 (January - March 2012) - also available online at http://suffolkcoastal.jdi-consult.net/ldf/.
- Core document library and DVD disc containing an electronic set of those documents.
- Completed PAS legal compliance and soundness self assessment toolkits (included within the Regulation 22 Statement of Compliance).
- Record of Co-operation - May 2012.
Core document library
The Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document is underpinned by a comprehensive core document library:
Examination by the Planning Inspector
The Planning Inspectorate has appointed an Inspector, on behalf of the Secretary of State, to take charge of the Examination process. The Inspector is Mike Moore BA(Hons) MRTPI CMILT MCIHT.
Examination hearings took place in late October and November 2012.
During the Examination the Inspector will examine issues raised and determine whether or not the Core Strategy is 'sound' as defined in paragraph 182 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF):
- Positively prepared - the plan should be prepared based on a strategy which seeks to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements, including unmet requirements from neighbouring authorities where it is reasonable to do so and consistent with achieving sustainable development.
- Justified - the plan should be the most appropriate strategy, when considered against reasonable alternatives, based on proportionate evidence.
- Effective - the plan should be deliverable over its period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic priorities.
- Consistent with national policy - the plan should enable the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the Framework.
Advice and guidance on the Examination procedure is available from the Planning Inspectorate in the document below:
Independent Programme Officer
The Council has appointed an Independent Programme Officer, Annette Feeney, to administer, manage and facilitate the Core Strategy Examination .
All contact with the Planning Inspector must be made through the Programme Officer.
The Programme Officer is available at the Council offices in Woodbridge every Tuesday from 9.30am to 12.30pm, appointments are recommended. You can also contact her by email at annette.feeney@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk, by phone on 07557 633870 (mobile) or leave a message on 01394 444251.